Heidi Oliver is taking part in the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay Marathon for a hugely emotional reason, one that could not sit heavier in her heart, following the loss of her five-year-old son Marcus to a rare cancer over Christmas 2016.
Marcus tragically passed away on Christmas Day last year after a short but brave battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and incurable pediatric brain cancer.
It is with Marcus top of mind that Heidi and the Oliver family now live their lives never taking anything for granted, never putting off challenges or turning down opportunities to step outside your comfort zone and perhaps do something out of the ordinary.
So, on May 13, this amazing 40-year-old Hastings mum and Lawyer will walk the NZ Sotheby’s RE Half Marathon, partly in tribute to her son Marcus, but also to raise awareness of this rare cancer and help assist research towards a possible cure.
“Life is too short to put things off, it is always something I wanted to do but never got around to,” said Heidi. “Our son Marcus passed away on Christmas Day and that just hit home to me more than ever that you have to live life to the fullest.”
Oliver says from the day he was diagnosed to the day he passed away, every moment with Marcus was precious, to be enjoyed and treasured.
“Marcus was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma on June 26 last year, eight days after he turned five. This came as a huge shock to us as Marcus had always been such a healthy child. The average survival time after diagnosis is nine months but things progressed relatively quickly and Marcus passed away on Christmas Day. My husband Michael and our eight-year-old daughter Charlotte will be there supporting me on the day.
“This is something I have always wanted to do but had always put off, so I thought I would start with the Hawke’s Bay half this year and maybe later this year try the Queenstown Marathon or return for the full marathon in Hawke’s Bay next year.”
Oliver is doing this very much in memory of Marcus, but is also aware of the need to help give a rare disease some much needed support and funding to assist into researching for a cure.
“DIPG is a rare, aggressive and incurable form of pediatric brain cancer that interferes with all bodily functions depriving the child of the ability to move, to communicate and even to eat or drink. It eventually interferes with their breathing and heart rate resulting in the child’s death.
“Currently there are quite a few other New Zealand children going through this so I have been in touch with some of the mothers and we are hoping to start a foundation that would raise funds towards research to find a cure. There are lots of similar foundations in the US, UK and Australia but none that we are aware of here in New Zealand, and we really think it would be great if we can work together and help increase awareness of DIPG and fund some research to help find a cure.”
The lawyer, mum and casual farm worker has put in plenty of preparation on their beef and sheep farm at Sherenden (just west of Hastings), and is hopeful of some company over race weekend.
“I do a lot of walking anyway, mainly around our farm, so I am used to walking, but I will ease into things with the half in Hawke’s Bay. I have been walking five times a week for an hour to an hour and a half, I am hoping that prepares me well enough but I will step up before the event with some longer distances.
“I put the call out on Facebook to a few friends to see if anyone wanted to join me, I will have around four others joining me on the day, some are doing the 10km and some the half marathon, but hopefully it will be a good group of us on the day.”
Their thoughts will no doubt never sway far from the cherished memories of Marcus and the courage he showed and his love for life.
“He was funny, creative, really adventurous, cheeky and loving. He was just an absolute treasure to us and everyone who knew him.
“This has taught me that you have to make the most of any and all opportunities that come your way and don’t put things off. Marcus taught us to make the most of every day and every opportunity. That's why I'm entering this event.”
For further information and interviews with Heidi, contact:
Andrew Dewhurst
Media Manager
Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon
021 535501