By Danielle Kutchel
Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Narre Warren are limbering up to walk for a good cause this week, raising funds to support cord blood research.
Around 30 walkers have registered to take part in the ‘Sean’s Two for Ten’ walkathon at Cranbourne Botanic Gardens on Friday 26 February, contributing much-need funds to a promising area of medical research.
The walkathon is part of Inner Wheel Australia’s ongoing national project.
Walkers are asked to walk 2km and donate $10 to the cause, which has saved many children’s lives over the years – including that of Sean, the ambassador for Two for Ten.
When Sean was just one-year-old, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency – that is, he was born without an immune system.
After a worldwide search for a donor, Sean was injected with 30mL of cord blood that saved his life.
He’s now a healthy and thriving nine-year-old, thanks to that fateful donation.
Inner Wheel has been supporting cord blood research as its national project for 10 years and over that time has raised $3 million.
Each year at the Inner Wheel National Conference, the organisation awards grants to research teams working in the area.
Linda Wallace, vice president of the Inner Wheel Club of Narre Warren, said there is currently ongoing research into using stem cells to treat childhood cancers, cerebral palsy and, more recently, severe Covid.
The Cranbourne Botanic Gardens was chosen as the perfect setting for their walkathon as it offers an easy and accessible scenic walk for all ages, and those who are unable to walk around the garden are able to take the garden tour bus instead.
Walkers will wear red t-shirts and red caps in support of the cause.
Anyone who wishes to get involved can contact Ms Wallace on lwal9951@bigpond.net.au or 0466 774 714. Walkers will meet in the Gardens carpark at 10.30am.
Donations are accepted even if you are unable to participate in the walk, and can be made via the Inner Wheel Australia website.
