If the going gets tough for the Quinn siblings during the 2014 Canberra Times Fun Run, their reason for running will be all the motivation they need.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lachlan, Billy, Madeline, Raymond and Matthew Quinn and a small army of supporters will be running to raise $20,000 for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation in honour of their brother Anthony, who died in late 2012, within a year of being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Billy Quinn, 30, said his brother - whose nickname was Pooch - had found a dream job doing statistics for a UK tennis company which enabled him to travel around the globe for work. But Anthony's life took an unexpected turn when he returned home for his Christmas break in 2011 and discovered he had something wrong with his legs.
"He decided to see the GP - he thought it might be a blood clot because he was doing a lot of travel and the GP told him to get a scan and he found out he had in brain tumour in early 2012," Mr Quinn said.
"It was a real shock to him but to the rest of us as well. He had the dream job of flying around the world watching tennis and all of a sudden he gets this news out of nowhere."
Tragically, a biopsy in April 2012 revealed it would be too dangerous to remove Anthony's tumour. He had a few months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but unfortunately his health deteriorated and he died in late November.
"Having been impacted by brain cancer through a loved one, you'd do anything to try and find a solution for people who are in the same boat," Mr Quinn said.
"With brain cancer being a really big killer and not having much awareness or funding, it's something we all think needs to be addressed."
Mr Quinn believes his brother would be proud - and embarrassed - by the siblings and their friends' efforts of the siblings and their friends.
"Certainly in a situation where we've dedicated it to him, he'd be very embarrassed. Especially if he saw us posing for the photos," he said.
"He'd be proud but laughing at us, especially when we're two-thirds of the way through a 14-kilometre run."
The close-knit family and their friends have already raised about $16,000 and are on track to be the top fund-raisers for the 2014 Canberra Times Fun Run, presented by Westpac.
Mr Quinn said Edgar's Inn in Ainslie would be donating tips made during August to the fund-raising effort and their team - which includes more than 30 runners doing various distances - would celebrate at the venue post-run.
Registrations for the 2014 Canberra Times Fun Run for the 14km, 10km and 5km courses close at noon next Saturday. Register at canberratimesfunrun.com.au.
