Young star Jackson Yeates able to ‘prove everyone wrong’ at Sydney Run2Cure fundraiser

A marathon may seem tough for most, but for young children who have fought off the toughest cancers this challenge is a walk in the park.

Four-year-old Jackson Yeates, who has neuroblastoma, with his family at the annual Run2Cure fundraiser. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Fighting off cancer is a marathon in its own right, but kids like Jackson Yeates made it look like a walk in the park on Sunday.
Jackson, his friends and family joined other childhood cancer survivors and their families to pound the pavement for Run2Cure, which raises money for aggressive childcare cancer neuroblastoma through a fun run.

Four-year-old Jackson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just before his first birthday after a tumour was found on his spine, with his parents told he would never learn to walk.

But Jackson proved the doctors wrong, pushing through to complete half of the one kilometre event last year.

People running at the Run2Cure event. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Plenty of smiles for the good cause. Picture: Gaye Gerard

On Sunday celebrating his fourth birthday by pounding the pavement in the fun run’s one kilometre and three-kilometre events with his parents.

Jackson’s dad Andrew Yeates told The Daily Telegraph seeing his son push through all the boundaries put in front of him was one of the happiest moments of his life.

Runners are the Run2Cure event on Sunday. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Runners taking a selfie to remember the event. Picture: Gaye Gerard

It is the 11th year of the event. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Sydney turned on the sunshine for the fun run. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“Hearing that Jackson would never be able to use his legs again was the hardest thing to hear, so to see him do what he did today is amazing,” Mr Yeates said.

“He has never whined or complained about anything and now he has gotten to prove everyone wrong.”

Sunday’s event was the 11th annual Run2Cure organised by Neuroblastoma Australia, with a variety of fun runs set up to raise money for the aggressive childhood cancer.

People on the run at Run2Cure. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Mr Yeates’ family started taking part in Run2Cure three years ago to show support for their son’s ongoing battle with cancer, but have committed to running the event each year to support all families fighting against neuroblastoma.

“We started doing this for Jackson, but now we want to not only support him but find a cure for all the children who suffer from neuroblastoma, and hopefully raise money and awareness for the cause to help research into better treatments,” Mr Yeates said.

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