Dave Hetherington’s father was diagnosed with a blood cancer called leukaemia. The following are all Dave’s words, shared with the Leukaemia Foundation to help raise awareness of blood cancer during September’s Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2019. 

We lost our Dad, in Ireland, on 29th March 2014 after diagnosis of AML on 18th February 2014.

Emotionally, psychologically, mentally, [it was] the hardest thing personally experienced and it, literally, physically shook my siblings. I and none of us were prepared for that factor.

I find it difficult, still, to comprehend the swiftness – from the initial diagnosis to the final breath. All siblings were there at the final moment which we are thankful for.

Together – with a ‘band of brothers and sisters’ (above) – we raised $400,000 plus on the Leukaemia Foundation Ride As One cycle journey [now called Life Ride], from St Kilda, Victoria, to Lightsview, South Australia, for the Leukaemia Foundation from April 29th – May 5th, 2017.

That Ride As One journey, for me, was a personal and a cathartic honouring of my Dad and an acknowledgement of those who have suffered this dreadful illness and those who will succumb.