Cameron Hill is running the Canberra Half Marathon this weekend in memory of his best mate, Brandon Schrader, who died from brain cancer at just 28.
The two had been close friends since they were 13. "Brandon was the most loyal and trustworthy friend you could have," Cameron says. "He would do anything for his friends and family at the drop of a hat. He was quick-witted, funny, loved to joke around. I have so many fond memories of riding BMX bikes together as kids and up until his diagnosis."
Donate now to support Cameron's fundraising efforts.
In 2020, Brandon had a seizure out of the blue while crossing the road on his lunch break. "I was working with Brandon at the time, and was the one who drove him to the hospital," Cameron recalls. "I had to fill out a bunch of his paperwork because he couldn’t speak." Tests revealed aggressive brain cancer. There had been no warning signs.
Brandon’s decline was rapid. A young dad of three, he lost his ability to work, drive, speak, and eventually move. It took a huge emotional and financial toll on his family. Despite the challenges, Brandon stayed focused on spending time with his kids and making memories where he could.
"Brandon absolutely loved and adored his children. There was not a thing he wouldn’t do for them."
Brandon was initially given a year to live but passed away just 10 months after his diagnosis. His story was later captured in a short film, told through the eyes of his children, and directed by the younger brother of Brandon’s partner. As his son says at the end of the film, “I wish I could tell him again how much he means to me.”
His death has left a lasting mark on those who knew him. “There was a giant void in all our lives,” Cameron says. “He was such an important and key person to so many people. He was known and thought so fondly of by so many.”
Now, Cameron is raising money for Brain Cancer Australia to help fund brain cancer breakthroughs.
“It’s not until it happens to someone close to you that you realise how deadly brain cancer is—GBM has a 5% survival rate up to five years,” he says. “In Australia, brain cancer receives significantly less funding than other cancers, with less than 5% of total federal government cancer research funding allocated to it.”
You can donate to support Cameron’s run here:
https://canberramarathon25.grassrootz.com/brain-cancer-australia/cameron-hill
"There is a giant void in all our lives. Brandon was such an important and key person to so many people. He was known and thought so fondly of by so many.”
