After losing her mum to blood cancer in 2020, Elli gathered her loved ones for ‘Memories of Mum’ – a special gathering that grew into an annual tradition and a powerful way to honour her mum’s life and legacy.
When Elli’s Mum Christine was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018, her family’s world was turned upside down. At 56, Christine had to relocate from Rockhampton to Brisbane for urgent treatment, including radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant.
During this difficult time, the Leukaemia Foundation provided Christine and her family with accommodation and support at no cost to them, giving them a home-away-from-home so they could stay together when they needed each other most.
Just last year, the Leukaemia Foundation provided over 42,500 nights of accommodation to 572 families like Christine’s close to life-saving treatment. This kind of support is invaluable, and is only made possible thanks to the funds raised through campaigns such as the ‘Here’s To’: Project.
For Elli, the experience was especially heartbreaking. At just 27 and pregnant with her first child, she was looking forward to becoming a mum herself and sharing that special journey with her own mum. Instead, she faced the devastating reality that her mum might not be there to share in those precious moments – and may never meet her grandchild.
Any cancer diagnosis is extremely challenging, and navigating everything that comes with it is so hard.
In 2020, Christine passed away. With COVID restrictions in place, her family could only have a small funeral, capped at 10 people.
For Elli, the loss inspired her to find a way to keep her mum’s memory alive while giving something back to the organisation that supported them when they needed it most.
“In 2020, Mum passed away. It was amid COVID, so we had to have a small funeral capped at 10. After that, I vowed to make something good come out of Mum’s passing.”
The following year, Elli held her very first Memories of Mum event in her backyard, bringing around 30 people together to remember Christine and support others facing blood cancer.
What began as a simple gathering to celebrate her mum’s life has grown into an annual tradition. Together, Elli, her family and community have now raised an incredible $118,000 for Australians with blood cancer.
“This year marks the first year we have held two events, one in Tamborine and one in Rockhampton.”
The Rockhampton event was their first black-tie gala ball, something Elli says guests loved and that the family hopes to continue in the years ahead.
For Elli, these events are about more than fundraising. They are a way to bring people together, remember someone special and turn a difficult experience into something positive.
Create your own meaningful moment or event with the ‘Here’s To’: Project
Elli’s story shows the difference that can come from gathering the people you care about around something meaningful.
Whether you want to honour someone special, celebrate a milestone, show your support, or simply bring people together for a cause that matters to you, the ‘Here’s To’: Project is your opportunity to turn a meaningful moment into lasting impact for Australians facing blood cancer.
Host a lunch, dinner, morning tea, backyard barbecue, or any gathering that feels right for you. Invite your guests to donate in support of your ‘Here’s To’ event, helping provide better blood cancer care for those who need it most.
Your gathering can be big or small, formal, or informal. It can be a celebration, a tribute, a moment of reflection, or simply a chance to come together with those who matter most. Whatever your reason, it’s about coming together for a cause that matters – and helping ensure fewer families face blood cancer alone.
Here’s to making a difference together.
By hosting a ‘Here’s To’ event, you will help fund better blood cancer care for families going through life’s toughest moments.
