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Connor’s Big Race

An image of Connor, a 7-year-old cancer survivor from Bowen Mountain, will feature on V8 Superutes driver Jimmy Vernon’s helmet for the Repco Bathurst 1000 next week ((10th October to 13th).

He and his family will be joining the V8 Superute driver at the Repco Bathurst 1000 as special guests – going behind the scenes to explore the pit, sit in Vernon’s racing ute, the ‘Purple Rocket’, and experience all the fast-car action.

His story shines the spotlight on the nearly 800 children diagnosed with cancer in Australia each year. Vernon is also supporting the Castle Hill-based Kids with Cancer Foundation which supports kids with cancer and their families.

Conner was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2023 after months of colds and flus, skin infections, bowel issues, tummy pains, sore legs and eventually lots of bruising. At first, Connor’s parents and GP had an answer to the ailments – school germs, not eating healthily enough, it’s normal for a young boy to have bruises on his legs…

Then, one night in August 2023, Connor experienced severe stomach pain – so severe his parents took him to the emergency department at the local hospital. Connor was discharged and asked to do some blood tests the following morning. That night he was rushed to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for more testing, and Connor and his family were given the devastating news that Connor had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Connor endured seven months of intense chemotherapy treatment which brought on many side effects and challenges. Connor lost his ability to walk twice during this time and required physio to rebuild muscle and strength. Connor moved into remission and then finished his phase of intense treatment in March this year. He now remains on oral chemotherapy until August 2025 which will mark two years since diagnosis.

Connor is now back at school and is playing sport again, riding bikes and being a typical 7 year old boy. Connor loves fast cars and is so excited to see himself on a racing car drivers helmet whizzing around the famous Bathurst track.

Throughout his journey, his family has had the support of Kids with Cancer Foundation, a charity which provides financial assistance for families of kids with cancer – through paying household bills, medical expenses, grocery and fuel/transport costs, as well as providing Care Packs, Wigs 4 Kids, funding paediatric clinician positions in children’s hospitals around Australia, funding children’s hospital infrastructure and capital works, and funding research into childhood cancers.

Rebecca, Connor’s mum, says: “Kids with Cancer Foundation has been an amazing support for our family. They have helped us pay some large outstanding bills, provided us with tickets to various events and when in the oncology clinic for appointments and hospital stays, Connor has been the recipient of many care packages to cheer him up and fill his day. This is such a wonderful foundation and we are so grateful for their care and support provided to us. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”

To find out more visit kidswithcancer.org.au.

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