Hundreds in Mermaid Beach community to rally around family in charity run after son’s devastating cancer recurrence

A 25-year-old Gold Coast man has been given a 50/50 chance of surviving his cancer battle but is determined to keep fighting, says “you can’t wait for life to not be hard to be happy”. Here’s how you can help.

A Mermaid Beach family’s lives were turned upside down by a devastating cancer battle - and now their community is rallying together in a heartwarming show of support.

Life changed in 2019 for Zach Bruce, then 21, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour (grade 2 astrocytoma).

Despite undergoing numerous surgeries in the years since, Mr Bruce’s condition worsened and has since developed into an aggressive, fast-growing tumour.

His latest diagnosis of grade 4 - astrocytoma brain cancer means the 25-year-old has a 50/50 chance of surviving the next three years.

Mermaid Beach resident Zach Bruce has been fighting brain cancer since 2019. Picture: Supplied

Mr Bruce said he was a big believer in “the power of positive thinking” and felt incredibly lucky to have a strong support system.

“I always say don’t let the big scary things in life get in the way of the little happy things... for me life is all about perspective,” Mr Bruce said.

“You can’t wait for life not to be hard to be happy.”

Inspired by Mr Bruce’s fighting spirit, the close-knit Mermaid Beach community will this Saturday hold a charity run to raise money and support for his ongoing cancer battle.

The route will run from BSKT Cafe in Mermaid Beach to Piccolo Espresso in Miami and back.

Event organiser and real estate agent Gypsea Harrison said she had recently sold their family’s home and wanted to do something to help.

“There will be a few hundred (attending) I think... there have been multiple run clubs that have said they’re going to attend,” Ms Harrison said.

“If we can help raise awareness and help this family, that’s the whole goal and the more people we can get behind it, the better.”

Mr Bruce’s mother Tracey Isles-Morrissey said she was proud to live in a community that supported those who were struggling.

“[Zach] is determined to win this battle and with the help of the community, he will,” she said.

Mermaid Waters local Zach Bruce has been fighting brain cancer since 2019, pictured with mother Tracey Isles-Morrissey. Picture: Supplied

A GoFundMe page was created to help cover the costs of Mr Bruce’s chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and has currently raised $25,955 of their $100,000 goal.

Charity run participants should arrive at BSKT Cafe at 6.30am on Saturday, April 27 for a 7am start.