By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
FIND a positive in every single day.
While her son was in hospital battling leukaemia, Annie Roberts made it her mission to look on the bright side.
Now cancer-free and planning a career in the film industry, 18-year-old Phil is part of an effort to make a brighter future for all cancer patients.
On 26 and 27 February, Phil and Annie will walk with students, staff and parents from Beaconhills College in the Cardinia Relay for Life – an overnight event which aims to raise funds and support for the Cancer Council.
Phil was halfway through Year 7 at the school when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Six months later, he received a bone marrow transplant from his sister Catherine, who was fortunately a perfect match.
Both mother and son have only the highest praise for the support of Beaconhills College while Phil was sick. They liaised with a hospital tutor to ensure he was kept up-to-date, sent cards, visited, and perhaps most significantly, students participated in the Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life to support their classmate.
Though Beaconhills Pakenham’s ‘Millett House’ (of which Phil was a member) was the first to take part, the school has entered students, parents and staff into the relay each year since. Five houses are now involved in the Cardinia event, and this year Little Beacons Learning Centre will also enter a team.
While the 2011 relay was particularly meaningful for the Roberts family, it was by no means their first. Before Phil got sick, Annie became involved with Relay for Life as the survivors and carer’s co-ordinator.
But she said her own experience with cancer gave her a greater understanding of the important work of the Cancer Council.
“It was a cause I’ve supported for years, but for so long I never knew where the money went,“ she said.
“Now I know where the money goes.”
In 2013, Phil was declared cancer-free. He graduated from Beaconhills in 2015 and was accepted into a Bachelor of Film and Television at Swinburne University, but is first taking a gap year.
Annie knows she’s lucky. While Phil is now happy, healthy and thriving, there are many much less fortunate.
“I met so many mums who lost their kids,” she said.
“To anyone thinking about getting involved with Relay, I would say ‘just do it.’ This disease needs to be eradicated.”
As well as the important fund-raising aspect, she said the relay delivers an important message, for patients, survivors, carers, families and supporters of those with cancer.
“The theme for the relay is hope,” Annie said.
“Never, ever give up hope.”
