WHEN Gold Logie winner Carrie Bickmore asked everyone to don a beanie for brain cancer during her Sunday night acceptance speech, Jaxon Cooper knew exactly which one he would choose.
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All day Monday, he wore the New York Knicks beanie he was given during his dream trip to an American NBA game last year.
Jaxon has been battling an inoperable brainstem glioma since early 2014 and knows all too well the ups and downs of brain cancer. “When I woke up on Monday, mum told me to put one on, so I chose this one,” Jaxon said.
Mum Jodie Cooper said she burst into tears when she saw Bickmore’s speech, which honoured the presenter’s late husband, Greg.
“I just started tweeting ‘best Logies speech ever’,” Ms Cooper said.“What it will do for brain cancer awareness is amazing. It’s such an unknown cancer.”
Jaxon, who is in grade 5 at Black Hill Primary School, is currently stable, with Jodie adding “we just take each day as it comes”.
Jaxon has taught himself to kick a football and hit a cricket ball and is full-time at school, with the help of an aide.
He is also organising a Kids Dream Day, where kids dress up as their dream career, for his wish to raise money for brain cancer research and awareness. “I’m going as an artist,” Jaxon said.
Schools around the Ballarat region are taking part, with all funds raised going to the Isabella and Marcus Foundation, which is aiming to set up research laboratories in Australia and develop clinical trials.
If your school would like to take part, email Jodie_25@bigpond.com or search for the Facebook page “Jaxon’s Journey”.
To find out more about the Isabella and Marcus Foundation, visit isabellaandmarcusfund.org.au
