Malik Garrett (Class of 2017 – pictured bottom right) will join his dad Shannon on a most extraordinary alpine journey in July to raise funds to fight a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Although Shannon’s condition is grave, he is determined to tackle the ambitious challenge to hike Europe’s Tour du Mont Blanc with Malik and two lifelong friends Carl and Anita.
The 172km trek through the month of July travels through the challenging terrain for the Swiss, French and Italian Alps.
Shannon is battling a cancer called DMG (Diffuse Midline Glioma) also known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). DIPG/DMG are rare and extremely aggressive brain tumours arising in the brainstem.
While the tumours mostly affect children aged five to 10 years, Shannon was formally diagnosed with the cancer in 2023.
Repeated surgeries have caused significant nerve damage from the waist down and Malik said his dad would use an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) on the hike to help stabilise his ankle.
Malik and Shannon are now in the throes of a punishing training regime to prepare for their big challenge.
“I’m in the gym five days a week,” Malik said. “Dad and I always intended on doing the Kokoda Trail but the year we wanted to do it was when Covid hit.”
“Then in 2021, we found that (his) tumour had grown.”
Incredibly, on his fundraising page, Shannon describes himself as “one of the lucky ones”.
“But for many children and their families, the reality is far more devastating,” he said.
In Malik’s eyes, his dad is nothing short of an inspiration.
“Anyone else in the family wouldn’t be able to do what he is doing. He’s incredible”.
Shannon has set an ambitious goal to raise $100,000 for the cause, with 100 per cent of funds going directly to the RUN DIPG charity. The money will support cutting-edge research into the disease, help to advance treatments, improve outcomes and hopefully – one day – find a cure.
So far, the family has raised more than $20,000 and know they have way to go, but Malik said every donation is a huge boost to his dad’s morale.
To donate, head to https://tinyurl.com/5xvh67xn
