When Olivia Drazzi’s uncle Peter Lawler was diagnosed with stage IV bowel and stomach cancer in April 2019, she rallied twenty-six family and friends to support him on his cancer journey and to fundraise for Cure Cancer in his honour by forming Team Pedro for Run Melbourne.
Peter Lawler with his wife and two sons at Run Melbourne 2019
Olivia remembers Team Pedro’s first Run Melbourne in 2019 as a “fantastic day with my uncle being well enough to attend”. They were excited to participate the next year, but in the midst of an unfolding pandemic, Run Melbourne 2020 was cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
Even more devastating, Peter passed away that same year.
“My uncle Peter was an amazing person who gave the best hugs. He would settle for nothing less than a crushing bear hug every time we saw him.
“After Peter's diagnosis, he became passionate about the importance of receiving regular medical check ups and vocalised this to everyone he spoke to.
“It was difficult for our team when my uncle Peter passed away in December 2020, but it made us all that much more determined to fundraise for Cure Cancer and raise awareness about regular check ups [for bowel and stomach cancer],” she tells us.
“Run Melbourne Virtual 2021 was the first event that we completed since my uncle's passing. We all posted photos of our walk to our group chat to support each other and create a sense of togetherness.”
Olivia Drazzi (left) with her cousin and sister.
This year, Team Pedro, now a 45-strong team, completed the Run Melbourne, which took place in-person for the first time in two years, and raised $10,235 (and counting)!
“It was a beautiful, sunny day, which made the event even more enjoyable. We had so many members come together to complete the half marathon and 5km event, including members of the Springvale South Cricket Club, where Peter was a past player and President.
“We were all bought together due to our love for Peter and the need to do something to help others going through the cancer journey,” Olivia tells us.
Since Team Pedro’s debut in 2019, they’ve raised an incredible $38,019 for Cure Cancer.
Team Pedro in their very own Run Melbourne running shirts.
From Springvale South Cricket Club’s Ladies Day and raffle, which raised $1000, Trios Sports Club’s numerous fundraisers, which have raised $5600 over the years, Olivia’s aunt’s Dry July fundraisers in 2021 and 2022, to even an anonymous $5 donation, there have many heart-warming highlights for Team Pedro over the course of their fundraising journey.
“Every little bit of money that has been raised by Team Pedro hopefully means one step closer to finding a cure for this horrible disease.
“Despite the hurdles faced by early-career researchers, their role is critical in finding a cure and providing hope to the community. Keep doing the great work that you do and one day we will find a cure!”
It is without a doubt that Team Pedro will continue to demonstrate the power of community to enact change.
We are so grateful for their support over the years and all they’ve done to fund the important work of our early-career cancer researchers.
Thank you, Team Pedro!
FEELING INSPIRED BY TEAM PEDRO?
If you’re interested in fundraising for Cure Cancer, we’d love to have you! You can check out all the exciting fitness events you can take part in here.
