Mathew’s dad, Paul, could fix anything. A true jack of all trades, those who knew him described him as stubborn, humble, hardworking and fiercely proud.
"Dad lived by example rather than words," Mathew shares. "He never showed fear, even during the toughest times in his life."
Paul knew how to face adversity. In 2012, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and told he would be lucky to live another six months. True to his determined nature, Paul underwent treatment for two years, went into remission, and enjoyed the next decade cancer-free.
Then, in December 2020, Paul was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and family life changed dramatically.
On Monday, she managed to get an urgent appointment with the ultrasound company. Maddie's knowledge meant she knew from the look on the sonographer’s face and the ‘inconclusive result,’ that this was something more than possible pancreatitis.
“It felt like a nightmare,” she said. “I saw the request form and knew pretty quickly it was bad news. I was in a state of shock, having never been sick or in hospital.”
For 18 extraordinary months, Paul navigated the disease with the same quiet grit that defined his entire life. He underwent the complex Whipple procedure and chemotherapy.
"He would often go to chemotherapy appointments early in the morning, finish treatment, put on his high-vis shirt and head straight back to work," says Mathew.
Watching the treatment gradually take away his strength, energy and motivation was heartbreaking."
Throughout it all, one of Paul's greatest passions was supporting his son. A devoted AFL fan, he spent 15 years on the sidelines of Mathew's games, serving as water carrier, helping around the club and never missing a moment.
"One of my favourite memories is winning our Under 14s AFL Grand Final," Mathew recalls. "As soon as the final siren sounded, Dad was the first person on the field. He ran straight over to me, gave me a hug and said, 'I'm so proud of you, son.' That's a moment I'll carry with me forever."
Paul passed away four years ago, leaving an enormous void in the lives of Mathew and the rest of their close-knit family.
For a long time, Mathew carried his grief quietly, throwing himself into work and AFL. But after hanging up his AFL boots, the space to reflect began to open up. He couldn't change what had happened to his dad, but he could choose how to honour him.
So, Mathew committed to running 5km every day for 100 days.
"Every kilometre is for Dad and for every family affected by pancreatic cancer," Mathew says.
The community response has been overwhelming. Along the way, Mathew has inspired others through "Bowie's 10 Day Challenge", encouraging people to run 3km a day for 10 days. He has also hosted a community 5km run, bringing people together in support of the cause.
One of the most moving milestones came when he completed a 10km run dedicated to 10 different people diagnosed with cancer.
Already, Mathew has raised more than $4,200 towards his $10,000 goal, with every dollar supporting Pankind's mission to improve outcomes for Australians affected by pancreatic cancer through research, awareness, advocacy and support.
“My motivation always comes back to Dad and the reason I started. But it’s also become bigger than that. I want to prove that anything is possible when you’re willing to show up every day, even when you don’t feel like it.”
Why awareness can't wait
Before his dad's diagnosis, Mathew didn't fully understand the devastating impact of pancreatic cancer. Today, he's determined to help ensure more people understand the realities of this disease.
"I wish more people understood how aggressive pancreatic cancer is and how difficult it can be to detect early," Mathew explains. "Greater awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis, better treatment opportunities and, ultimately, better outcomes for families."
On the days when he feels exhausted and motivation is hard to find, Mathew reflects on his dad's example of always showing up, no matter how challenging life became.
"This challenge is only the beginning," Mathew says. "My commitment to pancreatic cancer awareness is something I plan to carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Support Mathew's journey
We are incredibly grateful to Mathew for his determination, community spirit and commitment to creating a brighter future for families affected by pancreatic cancer.
His story is a powerful reminder that ordinary people can create extraordinary impact.
If you'd like to support Mathew in reaching his $10,000 goal you can donate to his fundraising page. Together, we can help fund potentially life-saving pancreatic cancer research and create a future where more families have the time they deserve with the people they love.
