Goal $5,000
Fundraising for Cancer Council
Cancer Council
Shitbox Rally Autumn 2023
$6,390
Raised
128%
Our Story …

We are really pleased to announce that we're taking part in Shitbox Rally 2023 Autumn!! This year, all the teams are driving their shitboxes from Newcastle to Townsville.

We are doing the rally primarily in memory of our beautiful angel Mum, Mary-Lou Halkett-Hay, who we lost to Stage 4 Melanoma in May 2021. We will be starting the rally on the second anniversary of her receiving her wings.

May is Melanoma Awareness month. It is the month that Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2015. It is also the month that she passed away from melanoma six years later in 2021. It is the month I remind and encourage my friends to #getaskincheck.

So many times throughout her journey people would say to us “it’s just skin cancer, they will cut it out and she will be fine”.

I wish I’d kept better records of Mum’s 12+ year journey of melanoma. Let me recount what I remember so people stop thinking of melanoma of “just skin cancer”.

Six months later she had a “pineapple” growing back in that spot. Misdiagnosed as keloid scarring, she luckily moved and found the most amazing surgeon in Dr James Gaffield who diagnosed the recurrent melanoma. Dr Gaffield removed the tumour including most of her nose. I think she had 5 or 6 reconstructive surgeries following that. Part of that was folding her forehead down to reconstruct her nose. See the ”penis” on her nose pic. Mum always dealt with every challenge with humour (something not everyone got). She would wear the paper bag when out with Dad.

Just before our wedding in 2012, Dr Gaffield noticed swelling in her cheek. He did a biopsy that was negative, trusting his gut he did another that was also negative. He then did an open biopsy which revealed the melanoma had come back this time in the nerve running from her cheek behind her eye into the brain. This was beyond his specialty and he found a surgical team in Brisbane willing to perform the surgery. This was followed by six weeks of radiation. Marilyn the radiation mask didn’t have a cover on her right eye. I can only assume because they needed access to that area to treat any remaining cancer cells. They hit her eye with the radiation. This resulted in weeks of eye infections, eventually two failed cornea transplants and eventually the removal of her cornea. She had a prosthetic and learnt to deal with the challenges of suddenly having only one eye. One of the impacts was loss of balance and this is when her falls started.

When I came home with Scarlett as a 3 month old, Mum had a fall and hurt her arm. It never got better and she eventually had an X-ray that revealed a break. She was still under the care of Dr Panizza and was due for her routine six month MRI which she was given the all clear in the morning. She saw an orthopedist surgeon in the afternoon who revealed her arm was broken due to a tumour growth in the bone. He did a PET scan that revealed tumours in her brain, clivus, C5 (spine), liver, kidneys, pancreas and lungs. To say it was a cluster fuck of epic proportions of who was reading her previous MRI’s would be an understatement. She was estimated to have 3-6 months to live at that point.

She started on the first real immunotherapy called Yervoy. She reacted badly and was going downhill fast. It was killing her faster than the cancer. Her oncologist got her expedited onto the first group of patients on Keytruda, an immunotherapy now being used to treat 23 different types of cancer but initially developed for melanoma. She immediately improved with massive reduction to her tumours. This treatment was so effective that it was only really one tumour of concern left in her liver. It was in quadrant 4b and inoperable. She had from memory 3 lots of radiation to reduce it during her six years of treatment. That is the tumour that eventually caused liver failure and killed her.

I’m forever grateful to Dr Gaffield who undoubtedly saved her many times. I’m angry at the other medical failures and hope no one else experiences this.

The message here is #getaskincheck, be your own or loved ones health advocate. Melanoma isn’t “just skin cancer”.

Shitbox Rally is the largest community lead fundraiser for the Cancer Council in Australia and is now in its 13th year. Part of the participation is that all teams have to raise a minimum of $5,000 but most teams raise well above this amount as you can see with the 2023 Autumn rally target set at $2,000,000 plus.

These funds go to the Cancer Council and we are extremely proud to be doing our part to support such a worthy charity. The fundraising is the hard part, so any donation you can give is greatly appreciated. Please make sure to follow our progress via this page and the blog post below

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Here's what I'm doing …

Shitbox Rally is the adventure of a lifetime challenging participants and their cars, worth no more than $1,500, on a 7 day drive across Australia to raise money for cancer research.

The rally is not a race – it’s a fun, colourful, unpredictable adventure with participants travelling at their own pace in smaller groups. Vehicles often break down but “we never leave anyone behind” and each night is spent camping beneath the stars and celebrating the day’s achievements. It all adds up to an incredible opportunity to see Australia’s vast and beautiful countryside and make lifelong friends, many brought together after experiencing cancer themselves or seeing cancer impact family and friends.

Since it’s inception the rally has been the largest fundraiser for the Cancer Council nationally.

raised: $2,322,705
target: $2,000,000
donate now
Lou’s Angels Feed
showing 46 / 46
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Robyn OSULLIVAN gave $200.00.
Much love Jo, from another of your Mums xx
1 year ago
Thank you so much darling Mother In Law. It gave Mum some peace knowing you were here to look after us all when she left. Thank you for everything xx
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Joey and Nicole George gave $100.00.
1 year ago
Thank you so much Nicole and Joey. We really appreciate your support and generosity.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Kristin Panchetti gave $50.00.
You are amazing Jo! ?
1 year ago
Thank you so much Panchetti family. Your support means the world. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends xx
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Brae Srfhtnfshman gave $50.00.
1 year ago
Thanks Brae! Really appreciate your support.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Suey Stockton gave $50.00.
Good luck Jo - call in if You’re passing when in Newy ? x
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Melissa Reynolds gave $200.00.
Can I come for the ride? Luv u both. Xx
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Bridie Gaffney-Wilkes gave $50.00.
Good luck guys, what a great cause. Love from the Gaffney-Wilkes Fam. xx
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Andre Thies gave $200.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Christine Knight gave $50.00.
Go hard and have fun! Take toilet paper ??
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Sarah Lambert gave $50.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Seema Kalse gave $100.00.
Enjoy your ride and the experience!
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Shavonne Li gave $100.00.
Enjoy the ride Jo, for such a great cause!
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Andrew Fors gave $200.00.
All the best!
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Gina Hansen gave $90.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Anonymous gave $120.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Jodarna Meade gave $500.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Margaret Meade gave $150.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Jodarna Meade gave $40.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Helen Smale gave $50.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Jacinta Poma family gave $100.00.
Time to kick cancers butt ?️
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Alice Fraser gave $100.00.
Go for it Jodie and Clint. Thinking of you all and especially Mary Lou. Alice Jason Ruben and Issie xxx
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Mariangela Virtue gave $50.00.
Good on you Joey! X
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Kathy Karibalis gave $50.00.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Greensolutions Australasia gave $1,000.00.
Go get them Jo & Clint, Your mum would be so proud of you both doing the rally and even more so in honour of her. We all know shit Box Rally raises well needed funds for the Cancer Council to help other in need, Don't forget to have fun along the way- want to see plenty of photo's.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Anne Meade gave $200.00.
Have fun Jo and Clint.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Karen Woo gave $20.00.
All the best Jo!
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
MRT R4CING gave $100.00.
Go the Commo.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Ashish Madan gave $50.00.
Good Luck Jo!
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Seadan Bowen Hills gave $1,000.00.
Clint & Jodarna hope everything goes to plan and all the best from the team at Seadan Bowen Hills.
1 year ago
Lou’s Angels
Anonymous gave $50.00.
Hello Jordana, love to contribute for an important cause. Just yesterday a close friend of mine informed me of his Dad's state with the same disease. No better time for a little help from my end
11 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Camille Baumann gave $100.00.
11 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Lauren Abraham gave $20.00.
Enjoy your adventure and the memories you build xx
11 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Dannielle Drake gave $100.00.
11 months ago
Lou’s Angels
chi shimowada gave $50.00.
Sending lots of love and can't wait to see the adventure photos ! Mitch and Chi xo
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Anna and Tony Gibson gave $50.00.
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Misti Allison gave $200.00.
Thank you for spreading so much awareness and raising funds. Cancer sucks but you are awesome!
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Shirley Reust gave $100.00.
Love ya Jo
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Mike Ho gave $100.00.
GOOD LUCK JO!!!
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
John Simmons gave $100.00.
I'm sure Lou was a special person, as I can see it in her daughter, Jo. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. God bless.
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Lou’s Angels
<p>This is why we rally. A few pics from Mum's melanoma "journey".</p>
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Mark Carrigan gave $150.00.
Great cause - good luck Jordana!!
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Ben Hall gave $50.00.
All the best with it Jo Ben and Steph
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Lou&rsquo;s Angels
<p>Lou's Angels are coming for you Betoota! Can't wait to get on the roa in our Shitbox edition Commodore. Mum would be so proud of us doing this for her.</p>
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Kristy Albertson gave $100.00.
Sending love to you Jo...and your family x
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Peter Bealing gave $100.00.
10 months ago
Lou’s Angels
Cécile Turnbull gave $100.00.
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The Impact, Outcomes & Charity

Shitbox Rally is a dedicated fundraising event for cancer research with funds going to Cancer Council.

Cancer Council is one of the largest non-government funders of cancer research in Australia. We conduct and fund research studies across all cancers and all stages of the cancer journey.

Thanks to the community funds raised such as Shitbox Rally we can fund world-class research that reduces the impact of cancer for everyone.

$41 million over the past 13 years has been raised by Box Rallies to date, supporting ground-breaking projects such as:

  • A research study to develop a vaccine that protects against lymphoma cancers.
  • A research trial to standardise international guidelines on melanoma removal.
  • A research grant to revolutionise the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

These projects wouldn’t be possible without your support.