General News
11 November, 2021
Fundraising for Gemma’s heartfelt cause
THE courage of a Terang College Year 10 student in her battle against cancer has inspired Terang College’s Energy Breakthrough team to dig deep in their efforts to raise money for The Royal Children’s Hospital.
THE courage of a Terang College Year 10 student in her battle against cancer has inspired Terang College’s Energy Breakthrough team to dig deep in their efforts to raise money for The Royal Children’s Hospital.
The Royal Children’s Hospital holds a special place in the heart of Terang College student Gemma Blain, 16, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma – a form of cancer which starts in the bones.
She lived in Melbourne for 10 months while undergoing treatment, during which time she endured two major surgeries to remove tumors, underwent 29 weeks of chemotherapy and is pushing through constant and intensive physiotherapy.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital helped me through one of the hardest things to have ever happened to me,” Gemma said.
“If COVID-19 wasn’t enough, I became isolated, but the hospital staff became my friends and family.
“I am forever grateful to the hospital and all the amazing things they do for kids like me.”
Gemma said she was grateful for the dedicated support of her peers.
“Thank you to all the Energy Breakthrough families, Terang College and the Terang community for the love, support and help both have shown and given to myself and my family,”she said.
“All the support I have received over the last 10 months in coming back to school has been wonderful.
“I think it is a cause that will get everyone going and hype everyone up because they know me.”
Terang College Energy Breakthrough team manager Ben Dennis said he was proud to support Gemma’s cause during an exciting time for the team.
This year marks 10 years since the program began, and the team is emerging from a hiatus during the pandemic to rally behind one oftheir own.
Mr Dennis said the energy breakthrough team was hoping to ride around 500km, and invited sponsors to come on board to raise money for an important cause.
“We’re keen to keep pushing along, and pushing the envelope of what we can do. Things have slowed down in the last couple of years so we’re keen to get back in,” he said.
“We’re hoping to hit 500km and we think that is a realistic target based on what we have done in the past and the training we’ve got underour belt.
“If you are keen to sponsor, hit us up on Facebook at the Terang College Energy Breakthrough page.
“We would also like to give a shout out to our major sponsor ACCIONA, who has come on board with a $1500 donation for the program. What we do aligns with their ethos so well and they have been behind us over the last few years.”
The Energy Breakthrough team was also looking forward to an upcoming reunion with past and present team members.
“We’ve got a 10 year reunion coming up on December 4, getting past and present students together to share some of the great times at Energy Breakthrough over the years,” MrDennis said.
“I can’t believe how many things I have forgotten, and some of the stories I love to chat about with past students.”
The Terang College Energy Breakthrough team will begin racing on Friday, November 26 at the Cobden Go-Kart track from 10amto 8pm.
To sponsor Energy Breakthrough students in their fundraising efforts for The Royal Children’s Hospital visit the page “Terang College Energy Breakthrough” on Facebook.
