Five More Minutes: In memory of Ivan Wood.
Twenty years ago on July 30 my dad, Ivan, lost his battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer just three months after being diagnosed, he was 44.
This August, as I celebrate my 30th birthday, I will also mark 20 years since losing Dad by shaving my head in his honour.
I’ve created the Ivan Wood Cancer Care Fund to give back to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where Dad received his care. Every dollar raised will be directed to the Oncology Cancer Care Department and will support patient care equipment and research through the hospital’s dedicated grant program, helping improve the experience of patients and families facing cancer.
This fundraiser is inspired not only by Dad’s journey, but also by my Mum’s memory of spending countless hours by his bedside, never wanting to leave him. It reminds me that when one person is diagnosed with cancer, an entire family walks that journey alongside them.
My hope is that, through this fundraiser, Dad’s legacy will continue to make a difference for other families during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
If you’re able to donate, thank you. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help advance life-saving research and patient care at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Thank you for helping me honour Dad's memory and continue his legacy. Every donation helps support families facing cancer today, with the hope of giving them five more minutes, five more conversations, five more milestones and more time together.
