Tayla's miracle inspires Griffith cancer fundraising surge

When Tayla Hirst was diagnosed with liver cancer at age four, doctors gave her a 50 per cent chance of survival.

“Even if she lived, we were told her life would be full of complications, given the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy,” her mum Tammy said.

As it turned out, Tayla survived and thrived. She is now 17 and planning to go to university and perhaps pursue a dancing career in Belgium.

“Tayla’s story shows that if you stay positive you can overcome this [cancer] … I’m now very much an advocate for childhood cancer,” Tammy said.

Tammy is a commitee member of Griffith Relay for Life, which is part of the world’s largest cancer fundraising event. In Griffith, there are 19 Relay teams, who through various fundraisers and challenges aim to raise money for both cancer research and support services for sufferers. During the current Relay season, which commenced on 9 July, Griffith teams combined have raised more than $35,000.

“I’m in a team, but Tayla also has her own team, which is called ‘Tayla Made’. They are doing a Krispy Kreme fundraiser,” Tammy said.

Under this challenge, people can buy boxes of donuts from Krispy Kreme, with a proportion of the sales going to Relay for Life.

So far, Tayla Made have raised more than $2,000.

“I lost my mother to cancer when she was aged just 50,” Tammy said.

“I like to support cancer charities as best I can.

“I want to see a breakthrough in science, where people can be treated without the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.”

Last week, Griffith Relay for Life announced a planned new Griffith radiotherapy centre would be operational by late March 2023.

“The centre will be located at the Griffith Medical Specialist Centre building at 115-119 Binya St Griffith,” committee member Grant Hearn said.

“The DA [Development Application] has been approved, equipment ordered, the lease is secured and some Cancer Care Griffith staff have already started working with the networked facility in Wagga Wagga, Riverina Cancer Care Centre.”

“In terms of capacity, up to 35 patients per day can be treated for radiotherapy and seven chemotherapy spaces are available. This level of capacity will adequately service the needs of the Griffith community for many years to come and the centre in Griffith will be supported by our service in Wagga Wagga, providing back-up and additional support”.

Ms Hirst said this was a game changer for Griffith cancer sufferers.

“When my mum had cancer [in the early 2000s] she lived in Cootamundra. We didn’t even have the option of going to Wagga. She had to travel to Sydney and was often gone for six weeks at a time.”

“It’s amazing that we will now be able to be treated here in Griffith.”

Plans for a radiation therapy unit in Griffith were first announced by Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, who in 2019 said her government would commit $5 million to the construction of the facility. It will be run by private provider Riverina Cancer Care Centre.

Meanwhile, Griffith Relay for Life teams will continue fundraising until their ceremonies on 8 and 9 October 2022 at Solar Mad Stadium. There is still time to form your own team or donate to existing ones. Follow the Griffith Relay for Life Facebook Page for details.

“Cancer doesn’t sleep, so we don’t sleep either,” Tammy said.