Cancer doesn’t just take lives—it steals time. Time spent making memories, celebrating birthdays, and cherishing the little moments that make life special. But thanks to breakthroughs in cancer research, families like Edwina’s and Jacqui’s are getting that time back.
Edwina’s Story: A Childhood Stolen, A Future Reclaimed
For any parent, hearing the words ‘your child has cancer’ is unimaginable. But for Beth and her husband, this nightmare became a reality when their first child, Edwina, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at just two years old.
Neuroblastoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects young children. With no standard treatment available, doctors had to throw everything at it—an exhausting 18-month regimen of chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, and immunotherapy. Each treatment came with devastating side effects, some of which Edwina will carry for life.

The Thomas family lived in a constant state of fear, not knowing if Edwina would survive to experience the milestones that so many take for granted. Her first day of school. Her first lost tooth. Her first best friend.
But thanks to incredible advances in cancer research, Edwina is now 10 years old and cancer-free! She spends her days laughing with her younger siblings, playing outside, and embracing a future that once felt uncertain.
"Just being able to do stuff as a family, have the experiences together that we didn’t think we were going to have—it means everything," Beth says.

This future was made possible because of research—because of donors like you.
Jacqui’s Story: A Second Chance at Life
When Jacqui was diagnosed with aggressive HER-2 breast cancer at just 37, she thought she might never see her daughter Evie grow up.
"This whole world I had no idea about opened up. Having cancer became my full-time job," Jacqui recalled. "I was in a permanent state of terror."

The treatments were relentless—16 rounds of chemotherapy, 17 rounds of immunotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, and a mastectomy. She endured every gruelling session alone, as Covid-19 restrictions meant her loved ones couldn’t be by her side.
But research gave her hope. Thanks to groundbreaking studies into breast cancer treatments, Jacqui survived. She is now cancer-free and cherishing every precious moment with her daughter.
"If I was diagnosed 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago, I might not be here today," she says. "Research saved my life."
Hope for the Future – Thanks to You
These stories are proof that cancer research changes lives. Every breakthrough, every new treatment, every discovery means more birthdays, more family dinners, and more time for families to be together.
But this progress is only possible because of generous people like you who support The Longest Table each year. Your support helps fund lifesaving research that is giving people like Edwina and Jacqui the futures they deserve.
This World Cancer Day, let’s continue the fight. Because no family should have to say goodbye too soon.
Your ongoing support of The Longest Table is helping families just like Edwina’s and Jacqui’s spend even more precious moments and milestones together. YOU are making a world of difference to so many across Australia.