Running for Sam - Half Marathon
On September 7, 2025, I’ll be running the Canmore Half Marathon in honour of my cousin Sam.
In 2022, our beloved Sam passed away from a rare, aggressive, and incurable brain cancer called DIPG—Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioblastoma. He was only 8 years old, just weeks away from turning 9.
DIPG is one of the most devastating childhood cancers—and also one of the most underfunded. The Children’s Cancer Institute is working tirelessly to change that, funding critical research that offers hope where there currently is none. That’s why I’ve chosen to challenge myself in a way I never thought possible.
If you know me, you know I’ve always hated running. It’s something I truely believed I’d never be able to do. But after completing my first 5K last October—and my second one just this April—I’ve found a new motivation. I’m pushing myself to complete a half marathon for a cause that means everything to me: helping fund breakthroughs in childhood cancer research.
Having worked in research myself, I’ve seen firsthand how vital funding and awareness are. Without them, life-saving projects simply don’t get off the ground. Childhood cancer receives only a tiny fraction of overall cancer research funding. That has to change.
Please help me honour Sam’s memory and support this important cause by donating whatever you can. Your support means the world to me—and it can make a real difference for families across Australia.
Thank you all,
Millie xx
My Updates
What CCI is doing for DIPG
Friday 11th JulThank you to my Sponsors
$22.58
Katherine Ormerod
$54.12
Adam Jackson
$54.12
Adam Jackson
$316.50
Dan And Diane Tsubouchi
always great to see young people doing great things to help others. the world needs more people like you Millie. your Canmore friends, Diane and Dan
$16.80
Lauren Cameron
Go smash it Mils!! See you tomorrow 😁
$11.65
Nirvana M
$54.12
Matthew Empson
Proud of you baked bean! I know you will smash it
$106.12
Karen Sitkowski
Love seeing your travels and adventures, I'm sure you will smash the half marathon, Keep living the dream.
$22.58
Mandy
💛💛
$20
Dean Campisi
Let’s go Milllllllllll!!!!!!
$33.15
Jo Wood
$20
Ankush Joshi
Go on Milly!!! The highland coo’s are with ya! FREEDOMMMMMMMM!!!
$11.65
Lolo
$27.81
Kate Q
You go girl !!!!!
$52.75
Christina Loeve
Go Millie xx
$10.55
Simran Fitzgerald
$105.50
Mark Green
$105.50
Walgett Loeve Fam X
You’re amazing! What a beautiful thing to do x
$52.75
Sasha Sitkowski
$10.45
Amy Howieson
$21.10
Lauren
Good luck Mills!
$20
Nina
Go get ‘em!
$15.82
Maddie L
Good luck Mills!
$105.50
Nick Loeve
For Sam. Proud of you Amelia xox
$21.10
Hannah Suthons
$20.50
Mira Xu
$105.50
Roland And Ann Loeve
Proud of what you are doing-good luck Love Ann and Roland
$105.50
The Johnson Clan
Go Amelia - for all the kids!
$52.75
Bridie Croxford
$10.55
Tr
$21.10
Lauren
💓
$21.10
Emma
$15.82
Ciara Shinnick
$26.38
Lil
❤️❤️
$10.55
Olivia Hamilton-foster
$21.10
Kyle Genest
$26.38
Fiona Cameron
See you there girl- well done! Good on you girly! 🫶
$26.38
Anonymous
$10.55
Lauren Howarth
$105.50
Ella Thomas
Go Milly! Run hard for our Sam <3
$26.38
Lewis Dowie
I am so proud of you Millie for working towards something that will no doubt help those who need it most and to make your family proud. No family should ever have to endure something like that and I know that you will have the motivation to smash that goal of yours so other families won’t have to ever feel such pain. You are an inspiration to us all. Now go do yourself, friends and most importantly Sam proud. I will be cheering you on from afar. Lewis
$52.75
Mills
For Sam and all children living with or have lived with childhood cancer and DIPG
$105.50
Richard, Eva And Joanna
Wonderful Milly! Sam will be with you in spirit all the way! He loved to run!
$105.50
Andrew Thomas
Out run those bears!
Absolutely smashed it, and sped round as well! Such a good cause (and a great place to run it) now...for the next one 👀