The annual Shipping and Logistics Golf Challenge is approaching a milestone in its support for research into childhood cancer, having raised almost $850,000 for the cause.

The 2024 golf challenge raised more than $36,000 for research at the Westmead Children’s Hospital. It was considered by many to be one of the most emotional and heart-warming events in the long history of the industry golf day.

This year, Geoff McCowage, senior paediatric oncologist at Westmead and a permanent guest at the golf day, again stressed the importance of supporting research through fund-raising.

Meet Thanasi

Dr McCowage introduced the Larkin family: mum Lisa, dad Jarrad and four-year-old son Thanasi – for all intents and purposes a normal and highly energetic boy.

In an incredibly lucid but emotional address, Ms Larkin recounted how she and her husband were more than excited at the prospect of welcoming their son into the world only to have that world turned upside down when Thanasi was born with what Dr McCowage described earlier as “a liver full of cancer”, the type of cancer occurring in only 40 babies annually in Australia, of which only about half survive.

“On day two of Thanasi’s life, he underwent his first procedure and had a central line inserted into his chest. On days three, four and five, he had his first round of chemotherapy,” Ms Larkin said.

“He endured the same side effects that adults experience with this treatment: nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, hair loss and weight loss.

“We fought through tears as we found clumps of his hair on our clothes as we spent our first Christmas as a family in hospital – each day more difficult than the last, not knowing what would happen and praying he would be okay,” Ms Larkin said.

Thanasi spent three weeks in ICU before being transferred to the hospital’s oncology ward.

“I would say that is the only ward more heartbreaking than ICU itself,” Ms Larkin said.

She described it as “a ward where it is normal for a child to have an NG tube taped to their face because it is too painful to eat, or because they can’t keep food down” and “where it’s common to see parents carrying the IV pole with numerous IV bags hanging as their child walks up and down the hallway”.

“It’s the only ward where it becomes ‘normal’ to see children attached to chemotherapy for hours on end, in the hopes it kills all the cells in their body to make them better one day,” she said.

“Despite the heartbreak witnessed in that ward, it is also a refuge for both children and parents, where magic can happen. Where phenomenal doctors and nurses can get kids smiling on the most miserable of days. Where news is broken delicately, and where tears shed have a shoulder to cry on.

“It is the same place where so many trial drugs have saved lives, and children have gotten to go home and live the life their parents prayed for. Most importantly, it’s the place where every parent craves to hear their child ring that celebratory bell.”

A story of survival

Thanasi underwent four rounds of chemotherapy before he was three months old. Ms Larkin said the treatment helped save his life, but it has also had lifelong consequences, such as hearing loss. But if the choice were between his hearing or his life, the family would choose his life over and over again, Ms Larkin said.

“We are so incredibly blessed and thank God that our little fighter is here today, as we know it’s not the case for many other children diagnosed with the cruelty of cancer. Our Thanasi is a survivor.

“That is why we are here today, because research saves more lives than machines. Survival is only made possible by the people in this room today. Companies like yourselves who support events like this golf day, year in and year out. You may not know or understand the impact your donations have in this very moment, nor would I wish that upon you, but on behalf of the families and children who have suffered (or are still suffering) because of childhood cancer, we thank you.”

Ms Larkin said donations for the trials allow for new and innovative treatments to become more effective. They allow for personalised approaches to treatment, increasing the likelihood of success, and they aim to reduce harmful side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy and helps improve survival rates.

Ms Larkin paid an emotional tribute to Dr McCowage and his team.

“Your calm resolve, strategic medical practice and compassion are part of the reason we will get to watch him start school next year and watch him have a fulfilling life. You are the reason our boy came home,” she said.

“The world is a better place because of the work that you do with your patients, and the research you continue to pursue to achieve better outcomes for children with cancer around the world – thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”

Thanasi’s name in Greek means immortality.

“We think it’s a name fitting and deserving of a boy who came into the world fighting and who continues to show us the meaning of true courage and strength every day,” Ms Larkin said.

“His start does not define him, but your help and donations today could help determine the future of children diagnosed with cancer.”

There was hardly a dry eye in the audience as Ms Larkin and the family received a rousing ovation.

Golf challenge 2025

This year’s charity golf day will be held on 24 October 2025 at Sydney’s Long Reef Golf Club.

To view images from last year’s golf challenge, visit DCN’s Photo Gallery page.