This weekend 20 dads of cancer kids will attend the Melbourne Storm versus Canberra Raiders game in the luxury of the Melbourne Storm corporate box at the magnificent new AAMI Park.
Organised by not-for-profit organisation Challenge, the match affords these dads the rare opportunity to spend time away from the rigours of treatment and allows them to connect with other dads in similar circumstances. Challenge in association with long time supporter Melbourne Storm, is able to make this opportunity possible.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is affected. Life stops as parents need to focus on treatment for their child. Normal everyday activities such as going to the footy are put aside. Challenge is committed to providing programs and services to support the parents of children living with cancer and strongly believe that if parents are well supported, they can better support their children and family.
Now in its 27th year, Challenge strives to improve the day to day lives of children living with cancer and their families and provide them with experiences, skills and self-confidence to embrace life and move forward on their journey. With an emphasis on fun, all Challenge’s activities promote family unity and encourage the formation of support networks, a vital component in the healing process.
Challenge CEO David Rogers believes the family support offered by Challenge is very unique “The activities offered through our parent support program aim to provide family unity by giving parents a reprieve from the hardship of treatment. Challenge is so grateful to the exceptional support from the sporting community who help us in making life a little easier for our families through activities such as these”.
Challenge’s services reach more than 300 young people aged 18 years and under each week and provide fun and support for the entire family. Assisting families on a daily basis, both in and out of hospital, Challenge provides camps, family activity days, hospital and parent support, holiday accommodation, celebrity visits plus many other services.
On Sunday 1st August, Storm will be donating to Challenge through their “Points with a Purpose’ program and further helping Challenge to continue to provide these vital services. Melbourne Storm’s “Points with a Purpose” program is a player-driven initiative designed to raise money and awareness for a number of different charities across Australia - giving Melbourne Storm’s home and away season even greater meaning.
The program will provide Storm with greater incentive to produce an attacking brand of rugby league and was designed by the Storm’s senior leadership group in consultation with the Club.
