Running for cancer research

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Tags: centenary-edition, fundraising

What started as a challenging way to raise awareness and funds for two charities looks set to become an annual run from Brisbane to Longreach for an inspirational UQ student.

Monty Summers

Monty Summers finished a 1200km run alongside 14 friends last July, with only a few aches and pains. Supporting him every step of the way was his twin brother and fellow UQ alumnus Tighe.

The 20-year-old human movement and psychology student raised more than $50,000 and spoke to school groups and community gatherings in towns during the trek. The feat was to raise awareness and funds for the Leukaemia Foundation and AEIOU: Children with Autism.

Mr Summers said it was good to complete the run, but was not prepared to close the door on further efforts down the track.

“The name and our stories are out there. We could base everything on that. We could raise more money next time we do it. We could improve on things,” he said.

Mr Summers was motivated to complete the ambitious task as part of his rehabilitation from a battle with lymphoblastic leukaemia while still at high school.

A devoted athlete who ran 13 times a week, he was diagnosed with the disease after collapsing at an athletics carnival in Tasmania.

The reality of the treatment soon sank in as Mr Summers underwent chemotherapy at the Mater Hospital and a bone marrow transplant at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Despite the treatment, going from being a hyperactive 17-year-old to being made to lie in a bed all day was a transition that did not sit well with Mr Summers.

“The moment I could find a treadmill, I jumped on it,” he said.

“I also strapped my arm with its tubes up in Glad Wrap and went for a surf.”

The group ran between 50km and 127km each day, with Mr Summers praising local residents for their strong support.

“It was great to be out there meeting all those people,” he said.

“The communities along the way were fantastic.”

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