Mum of Child with Rare Brain Cancer Set to Raise Thousands of Dollars for Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
On Sunday 4 May, Gabrielle Spinks will run her first ever half marathon. Mum to Eleanore, a brave little girl battling a rare form of brain cancer, Gabrielle is set to tackle the HOKA Runaway Sydney Half Marathon and is aiming to fundraise more than $15,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation along the way.
Gabrielle decided to take on this challenge on behalf of SCHF to help raise awareness and vital funds for the charity that has done so much to support Eleanore and her family during her cancer treatment.
When Eleanore was rushed to hospital in February 2023, it was the beginning of every parent’s worst nightmare. After a CAT scan showing a mass in Eleanore’s brain resulted in the diagnosis of a rare form of brain cancer, Eleanore, then just two years old, was immediately transferred to the Sydney Children’s Hospital and within an hour, Gabrielle was walking her daughter into the operating theatre for the first of many surgeries.
Since her diagnosis, Eleanore, now four years old, has bravely faced 31 rounds of radiotherapy, seven rounds of chemotherapy, and six surgeries, yet still continues to stand up every day against the odds “with the sass, determination, and resilience that only she can have.”
Every step of the way, Eleanore and her family have been supported by teams at the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
“Since that first heartbreaking day, and throughout Eleanore’s diagnosis and treatment, our family has been supported, held and loved by the incredible teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, from the doctors and nurses to the admin teams, the allied heath teams, and Eleanore’s favourite people – the Child Life Therapists,” said Gabrielle.
Sadly, in August last year, it was discovered that Eleanore’s tumour had begun to regrow, and so now she and her family face an uncertain future.
Following her daughter’s relapse Gabrielle started running as a way to clear her head and spend some time with herself outdoors, with so much of her day spent inside looking after a sick preschooler.
“I am actually not a natural runner and prior to this I focused on strength-based training. I’ve previously joked that anything chasing me for more than a k is welcome to have me because that’s enough running for me,” said Gabrielle. “I’ll be honest, it took me a little while to fall in love with running, but there really is nothing better than running around the Sydney foreshore to centre myself now.”
With her love of running slowly taking hold, Gabrielle decided to sign up for the Runaway Sydney Half Marathon – something she would have never imagined herself doing just a few months before.
“I’m looking forward to running the Sydney Half Marathon to prove to myself that I can do hard things and be resilient, just like Eleanore is every day,” she said. “I started this journey in October not even being able to run consistently for an entire k. But every time I kept coming back, lacing up my shoes and pounding the pavement, pushing myself towards the finish line. I am most looking forward to showing Eleanore that no matter what happens, her resilience and tenacity are her greatest strengths, and they are inspiring.”
The Runaway Sydney Half Marathon is incredibly important for charities like SCHF, providing critical grassroots fundraising opportunities and a chance to connect with a broad community of people. SCHF have been involved with the Sydney Half Marathon for more than 10 years and are once again leading the way in donations for the 2025 event, with already more than $70,000 raised.
“I chose to run for SCHF because I know firsthand how important the work they do is in changing the lives of sick kids in the here and now, but also into the future,” said Gabrielle.
“The SCHF has touched our family, and so many other families who are walking similar journeys as ours, with the mission to bring magic back into the lives of sick children, through making their time in hospital as easy as possible. Particularly impactful to our family is their funding of Child Life & Music Therapists, who bring the magic of play and distraction to the ward. The Foundation also funds critical research into paediatric disease, including Eleanore’s specific cancer – looking to a future where children don’t have to worry about hospital stays and chemo rounds.”
Initially when Gabrielle decided to run for SCHF, she set herself a humble fundraising target of $2,000. But the donations flooded in thick and fast and soon the $2,000 became $4,000, then $10,000, and since surpassing that goal, Gabrielle’s new lofty target is $15,000.
“Often on the journey for a family of a terminally ill child, you feel so alone. It’s a club you never want to be a part of, however, since starting to fundraise for the upcoming event, I have been constantly surprised but eternally grateful for the support of our broader community and the generosity, love, and kind words of those who have donated and reached out to share encouragement and support for not only our family, but also the work SCHF does in the community,” said Gabrielle.
“So many have shared with me their stories of how SCHF has impacted their lives at one time or another and in sharing their stories, it helps our family to feel less alone,” she said. “I will be eternally grateful to those who donated, and truly there are no words to thank you all for their support and love.”
Thinking ahead to Saturday 4 May, Gabrielle says she expects to feel a whole lot of gratitude. Gratitude for her daughter Eleanore, for the all the people who have supported her along the way – friends, family, and everyone at SCHF – and for the privilege of having a body that run distances she never thought she could.
“Where Eleanore’s tumour sits in her brain means that slowly, her movement and coordination are deteriorating and there will come a time when she isn’t able to walk or do her favourite things anymore, like playing tag with her brother or arts and craft. I have watched over the last two years as Eleanore’s body has stopped being able to do some of the things she wanted it to, so when I cross the finish line, I won’t be crossing it for just me, I’m crossing it for her, and I think all I will be feeling is gratitude that I can,” said Gabrielle.
To support Gabrielle, Eleanore, and the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation visit: https://runawayhalfmarathon2025.grassrootz.com/schf/gabrielle-spinks
