When Xavier Mills sought help from Dr Ann Mavor at Mavor Chiropractic in Rosedale earlier this year, nothing could have prepared the 19-year-old from Kilmany and his family for what would come.
Scans would later reveal a heart-wrenching diagnosis: osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones.
When Xavier presented to Mavor Chiropractic in February, 22-year-old RMIT Chiropractic student Brock Williams, a Rosedale boy, happened to be gaining industry experience ahead of his third year.
Learning about Xavier’s diagnosis, Brock was resolute in supporting Xavier and his family in any way he could.
“Over summer, I was working with Ann, I was her receptionist at her chiro clinic in Rosedale, and that was when I met Xavier,” Brock explained.
“Xavier came in presenting with lower back pain. Ann had him sent off for x-rays and MRIs, and it came back as an osteosarcoma in his lower spine tailbone area.
“From there, I wanted to help out in some way I could. I wasn’t going to do just a sausage sizzle; I wanted to do something with enough magnitude behind it that people would be really attracted to, and my running was kind of taking off at the same time, so I thought I might as well run from Adelaide to Rosedale to try and raise some serious money.”
On Friday, December 1, Brock Williams set off on his 1000-kilometre journey from Adelaide to Rosedale to raise money for the Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program, as chosen by Xavier and the Mills family.
The Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program provides regional youth cancer patients aged 15 to 25 who must travel to city hospitals for life-saving treatment a place to stay at no cost.
Quest Apartment Hotels provides studio, one or two-bedroom serviced apartments near metro hospitals.
Throughout Xavier’s treatment at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, the Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program has provided Xavier and the Mills family with invaluable support.
Xavier and his mum, Fiona, praised the Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program, which has been a blessing for the family, alleviating the stress associated with finding accommodation in the city during a challenging time.
“The Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program and the staff at Quest have been amazing,” Ms Mills said.
“We don’t have to worry about finding a place to stay, finding somewhere to park or figuring out what to get for dinner.”
Xavier, now 20, will receive his final radiation treatment tomorrow (Wednesday, December 6).
Eleven days later, Brock Williams is set to arrive in Rosedale, completing his 1000-kilometre journey.
Xavier’s younger siblings, Rowy and Logan, will join Brock as he completes the final stretch of his journey, arriving at the Rosedale Hotel at noon on Sunday, December 17.
To mark Brock’s return and in a final bid to raise money for a great cause, the Rosedale Hotel will host a celebration including a free barbecue, live music and more.
You can help Brock raise money for Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program in honour of Xavier Mills by going to https://www.sonyfoundation.org/event/brocks-border-run/donate
Brock Williams has raised $9000 so far.
