Brisbane teenager Maxwell Shearer began training for a 10-kilometre run in between rounds of chemotherapy.
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Back in 2015, the then 11-year-old was determined to run the Bridge to Brisbane, and fundraise for all the other children who could not leave the hospital.
“I thought maybe I should run with dad and raise money because I was able to do it and all these other kids around me going through chemotherapy couldn't, because their chemo was more intense than mine,” Maxwell said.
“With all the energy I had, I started practicing running and fundraising so I could help other kids so their experience in hospital would be shorter and more enjoyable.
“Since my treatment was monthly, I was able to train on the off-weeks of chemotherapy so I would have chemo one week then the following weeks I would do running then I would go back to chemotherapy again.”
Since that first charity run 3½ years ago, the now 15-year-old has raised $106,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“It feels awesome to know I have made a difference to kids who have experiences similar to mine,” Maxwell said.
“I know how tough it is to have a rare cancer and I know how much this money really does make a difference and knowing that I could help makes me feel over the moon.”
Maxwell was only 10 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer called ganglioglioma.
It has no cure.
“It can make me feel sad but the thing that gets me through is the support of family and friends and knowing there is something in the future that could make a change,” Maxwell said.
“It is tough, having cancer really does impact your life in every way, especially brain cancer.”
After his four major surgeries, including a dual craniotomy, Maxwell needed to learn how to walk, talk, read and write all over again.
“Every single challenge seemed huge no matter what it was, even though the challenges now are not as big, I still face challenges five years after my surgeries,” he said.
“You basically start from square one again after brain surgery.”
Maxwell’s father Anthony Shearer said his son devotes a lot of his time, not only to fundraising but to improving the lives of other children in hospital.
“Max is very selfless in what he is doing, we are very proud of what he has achieved,” Mr Shearer said.
“He has gotten through a very difficult time, he inspires a lot of people. He wants to help sick kids and this is one of the ways he helps himself get better.
“As a result of the surgeries he lost 50 per cent of his vision. He has had a few other complications but he is through the life threatening stuff, now he is just living through the recovery and hoping the tumours stay as they are and do not grow.”
Maxwell hopes to raise even more cash for rare cancer research this year.
“I will continue to fundraise for as long as I can," he said.
"I still have five tumours, which are not growing, but I know every dollar that goes to the Queensland Children’s Tumour Bank helps find better treatment and possibly cures for rare childhood cancers.”
Donate to Maxwell's cause here.
