Five More Minutes: The Ivan Wood Cancer Care Fund

By Elizabeth Wood

Five More Minutes: In memory of Ivan Wood.


Twenty years ago on 30th of July, my dad, Ivan, lost his battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer just three months after being diagnosed. 

Six days later, I turned ten.

This August as I turn 30, I'll be honouring Dad by shaving my head and launching Five More Minutes: 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 directly go to the Oncology Unit and will support patient care and research, helping improve the experience of patients and families facing cancer.

This fundraiser is inspired not only by Dad’s battle, 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.

Thank you for helping me honour Dad's memory. 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.

My Achievements

Received First Donation

75% of Fundraising Goal

Raised $100

Raised $500

My Updates

The Story Behind The Ivan Wood Cancer Care Fund

Friday 31st Jul

Five More Minutes: From the Journal of a 13-Year Old Girl

Thursday 30th Jul

As I've been reflecting on Dad over the past few weeks, I've found myself going back through the journals I kept after he passed away.

Writing became my way of coping. As a 13-year-old girl, I didn't always know how to process what I was feeling, so I'd write letters to Dad instead. Looking back now, I realise journaling became a way of regulating my emotions and staying connected to him.

One page stopped me in my tracks.

"Dear Dad, I miss you so much. I just want to say that I love you and I think of you every day. I miss everything about you, even the inspections you did on our rooms."

That line made me smile.

Dad used to inspect our rooms and call out, “Five minutes!” before coming back to check if we'd finished tidying up.

Twenty years later, those words have taken on a completely different meaning.

Five More Minutes is now the name of this fundraiser because that's what I hope we're giving other families. Five more minutes. Five more conversations. Five more memories. Five more opportunities to say "I love you."

Thank you for helping keep Dad's memory alive while supporting families who are walking the road ours once did.

🧡

Thank you to my Sponsors

$228.96

Rosey Signorini

Bizzy, your Dad would be soooo proud of you. You are you and are amazing 💞.

$21.20

Mcrae Family

Well done

$15.90

Seb Slade

$106

Jayne Hodgson

Go, you good thing! Love your work Bizzy!! ♥️

$26.50

Stevy Hodgson

So proud of you Biz 💕

$106

Karen Price

$331.80

Kelly Bethel

$53

Abbie

Lots of love, always x

$106

Kelly Dalgliesh

$25

Brenden Rees

Well done Bizzy

$228.96

Rhylee S

Well done - proud to call you family x

$106

Unveil Media

I didn't know Ivan, but knowing the 4 of you Wood kids I can only imagine the incredible man he was.

$37.10

W&h Richards

Fond memories of your Dad. He’d be so proud of you. ❤️

$40

Margy Mcinerney

$26.50

Ros Loxton

$26.50

Carly Mentink

Such a beautiful cause and I’d love to support you!

$21.20

Helen Innes

$25

Fitstop Chandler

Love your work Bizzy! 👏🏽

$21.20

Emma Hocking

$212

Jake Sulek

So proud of you Biz, love you so much!

$21.20

Jack Collins

$100

Susan Cottee

$47.70

Kiara Bowles

Awesome session at Fitsop - well done and such an important cause! Best wishes x

$31.80

Natasha Kok

$10.60

Alison Kroon

$53

Susanne Packer

$15.90

Clarece Budd

$26.50

Holly Wilson

$58.30

Dresden

Dad would be beaming down at you xx

$53

Derrick Barden

$55

Justine Honeybeer

A beautiful tribute to your father and families dealing with cancer.

$26.25

Steven Panaretos

$20

Glen Mcmurtrie

$10.60

Andy Worsfold

$47.70

Henrietta Reid

Dearest Biz What a fantastic thing to do for your Dad. You continue to inspire and impress us all. With love from Henrietta, Dickon, Kitty and Violet

$53

Margot Nelson

What a great way to honour Ivan!

$79.50

Bella Harvey-sutton

$58.30

Duncan Belford

$63.60

Chloe Parker

So proud of you Biz, lots of love always

$26.50

P-unit

Go Bizness!

$15.90

Anonymous

Thank you 🩷

$26.50

Alec Richards

Great work Bizzy, I have such sweet early memories of your dad & your whole family ❤️

$106

Julia Paynter

Happy birthday Bizzy! Your dad would be so proud of you 💕

$50

Mollie Butler

Forever proud of you, beautiful Biz.

$58.30

Jacoba Van Der Drift

❤️

$50

Terence

Congratulations on a wonderful video that you did on your dad. So heart warming. Much love from Uncle Terry

$15.90

Anonymous

💖

$106

Helen Murphy

I'm sure you will look just as beautiful with no hair Bizzy.

$100

Jayne Hodgson

Such a wonderful thing you are doing Bissy. . All the best. 💜

$26.50

Anonymous

Congratulations on being so brave dear Bizzy, your Daddy would be very proud of you. Xx

$511

Rosey Signorini (nee Wood)

Dance your beautiful, loving dance, precious Bizzy.

$26.50

Jenna

$511

Nell Brook

Memories never fade 💙

$105

Kiri Fabila

$105

Geoff

Love ya Biz! x

$55

Kristi & Greg

Five more minutes ❤️

$58.30

Thomas And Erin Hunt

$200

Debbie & Rob Spence

So proud of you , you are an amazing beautiful woman.

$106

L, C, I, H, A, C

❤️❤️❤️

$106

Sian

Go girl x

$106

Kel And Rik

$58.30

Anna Warren

Thank you for making a difference and helping to give those five more minutes <3

$58.30

Jo Rooney

Your story really touched my heart. What you're doing in honour of your dad is such a beautiful tribute, and it takes so much courage. Wishing you all the best with the head shave and your fundraising. I know your dad would be incredibly proud.

$25

Cody Gray

$53

Billi Williams

Your dad would be so proud of you biz

$106

Saki Bate

Proud of you, Biz 💛

$58.30

Demi

Proud of you Bizzy! ❤️

$47.70

Caroline Duncan

Well done Biz. Throughout the years you've always honoured your dad, love to see it and well done xx

$106

Danielle Bozman

$300

Shannon Keyte

So proud to have someone like you in my life! A big thank you Ivan and Deb for raising such an incredible human. 🧡

$15.90

George Rolfe

$53

Rachel Reavley

Well done Bizzy! Such an amazing cause and a very touching tribute to your wonderful dad. He would be very proud x

$50

Jessica Walsh

$105

Elise Martin

For everyone who’s lost a parent or loved one one from Cancer 💛 All my love Biz x

$150

Neva And Bodie

Proud of you, always ♥️

$106

Not Phased Electrical And Data

Love your work

$106

Freya

Love you so much Bizzy

$58.30

Chelsea Dagger

$106

Carl Jones

$106

Anna

$265

Amelia Sulek

This is so incredibly beautiful. ❤️ You are amazing for doing this. It touched Josh’s heart deeply because he survived blood cancer as a child, and your message really hit home. Thank you for giving other families the chance for five more minutes. We love you so much. ❤️

$100

Alex, Emily, Harriet, Seb, Cam, Rosie & Rocky

Love you bee

$106

Susie Usher

$26.50

Erin Mitchell

An incredible way to honour your Dad. The world is lucky to have people like you in it! Thank you for doing this!!

$20

Anna Bennett

Good on you, Bizzy, this is phenomenal and touching!

$47.70

Kacey Baird And Kids Xx

What a champ. How amazing! Proud 👏 x

$47.70

Caitlin Hehir

Amazing stuff Bizzy!

$106

Deb Wood

Love you!!❤️❤️

$100

Nicole

Such beautiful memories of your dad 💕

$200

Ally Longworth

I am so proud of you, sending all my love always.

$63.60

Pauli Arango

Thank you for sharing you and your family’s story Biz. Lots of love ❤️

$58.30

Laura Signorini

A great cause, well done Bizzy. Lots of love xx

$1.01k

Karen Brook

This is so special Bizzy. We are so incredibly proud of you and so thank-you for your Dad and Deb giving us you! xo

$145

Anonymous

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