Bandaged Bear Benefit Night raises $300,000

A 12-year-old with severe cerebral palsy, Mecenzi Howard, will be one of the main beneficiaries of the Bandage Bear Benefit Night held at West Illawarra Leagues.

And another beneficiary will be Southern Children’s Care of which UOW is the driving force. It aims to provide world-class medical care for seriously ill children in the Illawarra so they and their families do not have to travel to Sydney for treatment.

The 10th anniversary Bandaged Bear organiser and MC on the night, Leigh Stewart of UOW’s Office of Community Partnerships, said that almost $300,000 had been raised for cancer research and other children’s charities.

This included Mecenzi and her family being presented with a $50,000 Kia Carnival vehicle which has been modified for wheelchair access. At birth, Mecenzi was given minimal chance of ever walking, talking or having a meaningful life with even little chance of survival. However, she has overcome many obstacles over the past nine years.

Mr Stewart said the community had rallied to support the Howard family who also suffered a blow in 1994 when Mrs Howard was diagnosed with breast cancer and later underwent a double mastectomy.

About 700 Australian children aged 1 to 15 years develop cancer each year.

As recently as 30 years ago most children with cancer or leukaemia died. Today, because of research which has led to much better treatment, the overall cure rate for childhood cancer of 80 per cent.

Organisers received widespread praise for the event including comments that it had changed the lives of the Howards forever to one from Olympic swimming champion, Lisa Forest, who said she could not recall a fund-raiser with more enthusiasm for what was being achieved.

Last reviewed: 2 September, 2009