Thank you for being a part of our galaxy of Walking Stars in 2021, and spreading hope for Victorians facing cancer.
We are busily working on Walking Stars 2022, which will be back at Kings Domain on 3 December this year! We really hope you can join us for another unforgettable evening as we walk into the night towards a cancer free tomorrow.
How your money is helping
Last year, you helped us raise an incredible $378,000. That money is being used right now by cancer researchers to find new treatments, and by our 13 11 20 nurses to offer support and advice to Victorian families who are facing cancer.
Thank you so much for making this vital work possible. We know that we can walk into a cancer free tomorrow with people like you by our side!
Lesley’s story
One of our amazing walkers from 2021 is Lesley, who lost her brother Ted to pancreatic cancer in 2003.
“You can never replace a sibling,” Lesley told us. “He was 47 when he passed, and he was always very kind. Never had a bad word to say to people. He always saw the positives in everyone. He kind of gelled the family – he tried to keep us all together because we are all scattered around the world.”
To honour his memory, she took part in Relay for Life for several years and participated in her first Walking Stars challenge in 2021, raising over $800.
The buzz of excitement and support on the night is something that Lesley will never forget, and it’s the reason she registered for Walking Stars again in 2022.
“As we walked through Southbank… someone yelled out, ‘You go girl!’ And then one gentleman came up and said, ‘Thank you’ because he had lost somebody. It’s amazing how you walk down the street and people spur you on! So that’s what made us sign up for it again straight away.”
Now that Lesley has found Walking Stars, she is committed to taking part for as long as she can. This year, she will be joined by her brother and his wife, who will travel all the way from India to take part.
“As long as I can walk, or if someone can push me in a wheelchair, I’ll keep being involved in Walking Stars,” she told us.
“Cancer Council have been known for years to do good. That was the reason why I chose them. Hopefully, one day, if not for us then for our children, there’ll be a cure.”
Her advice for anyone who is unsure about completing the distance is to just keep going, and to think of the people you are walking for.
“The moment you stop, you’re done,” she said. “Just keep walking…Think of why you’re doing it. When I walk, yes, my legs hurt, but I’m sure my brother never had that choice where his legs hurt – he’s gone. As long as you’re in pain, and you’re walking, you know you’re alive, which is something they never had the chance to choose.”
Would you like to share your 2021 Walking Stars story?
One of the best things about Walking Stars is the amazing community of walkers who share their stories and support each other. We love hearing why this event is special to you, and showing everyone how your amazing efforts are helping families facing cancer.
If you would like to share your story, simply fill out this form with your name, email and contact number and someone from our team will be in touch. We would love to hear from you!
Save the date – 3 December 2022!
We hope that you can join us for another amazing Walking Stars event this year.
Please save the date and we will be in touch soon with everything you need to know to register and enjoy Walking Stars 2022!
