We’re walking for a cancer free future
Mark was 46 and feeling unwell. In early January last year, he went to the doctor and was referred for a scan. After having it, he was advised to head to ER, where he learnt he likely had cancer.
It was diagnosed as a Stage 4 urothelial cancer but in his kidney and back muscles with aggressive markers. He underwent invasive surgery and rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy but left us just 5 months later.
Better known to his mates as Darko, he was passionate about his vinyl collection, UK premier league, American baseball, burgers, craft breweries & could chime in with an appropriate pop-culture reference at the drop of a hat. This pic of him in a George Costanza jumper sums him up perfectly.
I miss him. I thought we had so much more time. Grief continues to follow me around a year later. He was ever so courageous in the face of cancer.
I am walking with Mark's nephew, Alex and his cousin, Megan, to raise much needed money for the Cancer Council. Our $5000 team goal would fund more than 80 hours of research and hopefully, together with all the other walkers, we can reach a future where no other person and family has to go through a cancer journey like this.
Thank you so much for your donation, it means ever so much to us.
* * * * *
We’re taking on 7 Bridges Walk on Sunday 25 October 2026 and will be uniting with the community to walk 28km around Sydney Harbour.
Every year in NSW alone, more than 56,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed and the impact on families, carers and communities is significant.
Please sponsor me/us and help those affected by cancer. Every step counts because all funds raised will help Cancer Council work towards the vision of a cancer free future. Thank you for your support!
So far this year we've helped provide:
2071 kids with a SunSmart education
79 calls to trained cancer professionals on 13 11 20
103 hours of a research assistant's time to work on research we fund
Thank you to our Sponsors
$253
Facebook Donation
$217
Matt
Good luck, so happy to support you and such a great cause on behalf of Mark. Matt
$200
Verlata Consulting
An incredible and moving activity. We will be supporting you every step of the way and we know Mark will be with you in spirit.
$174
Dan Greentree
You are such a legend! Proud of you and I know Darko is too x
$163
Sylvia Oliver
Walking in remembrance of your Uncle Mark & Cancer NSW. You got this 👍
$163
Sylvia Oliver
Another pair of sore feet 👣 Great to do this again for the second time . You got this 👍
$163
Kate Messenger
Such a great thing to do.
$150
Facebook Donation
$150
Wendy Oliver
Proud of you for doing this 💛
$107
Liz Phillips
What a beautiful way to honour Mark.
$107
Anne
Good luck
$107
Derya Ozkan
We are all so proud of you!
$107
Andrew Teh
$104
Carla
In memory of your brother and all those who have suffered or died from cancer
$100
Facebook Donation
$100
Jon @ Nufc Sydney
Great stuff Alex! Your Uncle Mark would be so proud of you mate! Hope you smash your goal 🖤🤍 #SydneyMags #NUFC #HowayTheLads #ToonArmy
$100
Veronica Oliver-jenkins
Good luck Alex, enjoy it, great cause, love from us both xx
$100
Facebook Donation
$86
Anonymous
Smash it Megan!!
$75
Facebook Donation
$67
Gary Pattison
Great work Alex. Mark would be so proud. #SydneyMags
$60
Regie Patta
$60
Mwa Custom Builds
$60
Charlotte
So proud of you!
$60
The Denton Family Trust Matched Donations
Thank you for supporting people impacted by cancer.
$60
Kris Patrick
Smash it!
$60
Tony
Good luck! Shut and Dance!
$60
Hayden Cribb
$60
Iain Triffitt
$60
Murray Grelis
$59
Viktoriya Kim
Good luck, Wendy!
$56
Regan Ling
Every step you take is one step closer to us finding a way to kill this horrible disease. Proud of you Megs.
$55
Maggie Nahas
$54
Anonymous
$54
Regan Ling
Ill be thinking of you and sending you all if my keeo going vibes.
$54
Kacey Lam-evans
$54
Lauren
Thinking of you, you brother, and all the other families affected by cancer.
$54
Jethro Marks
$54
Sam M
$54
Elodie
Allé Wendy!
$54
Jb Bae
$54
Andy Coleman
$51
Facebook Donation
$51
Facebook Donation
$51
Facebook Donation
$51
Facebook Donation
$50
Facebook Donation
$50
Facebook Donation
$50
Veronica Oliver-jenkins
After all those steps during our stay this will be a doddle :-) hope the ankle holds up. Good luck, wish I was walking it with you xx
$50
Facebook Donation
$50
Facebook Donation
$50
Tristan Oesch
$49
Facebook Donation
$44
Kate Latimer
Such a great cause. We all miss Mark. #SydneyMags #NUFC #HowayTheLads #ToonArmy
$44
Daniel Higginson
A great cause! Good luck! #SydneyMags #NUFC #HowayTheLads #ToonArmy
$40
Facebook Donation
$39
Facebook Donation
$36
Facebook Donation
$34
Anonymous
$34
Chantha
All the best, Megan!
$31
Ben Williamson
$31
Facebook Donation
$29
Shell & Lee Nixon
A great walk to fo for charity. All the best Alex!
$29
Ben Langton
$29
Nicholas Mulrine
$29
Bryan Wong
$28
Tim Brown
Good luck Alex! Mark would be be one proud uncle
$24
Emmanuel Maniatis
I lost my uncle to cancer and about the same age. Respect what you're both doing.
$24
Kelly
$24
Alix
$20
Facebook Donation
$20
Facebook Donation
$15
Erin S.
$10
Olivia Williamson
$10
Facebook Donation
$10
Izzie Lutkin
Amazing Alex, go smash it!!!!🌟
