Kristiaan's Cause.
I’m running a range of events in 2025 as part of a 500km competitive running challenge, which will include a range of half marathons, marathons, and ultra marathons throughout late 2024 and 2025. (This doesn't even include the training!)
As someone born three months early, weighing just 700 grams, I know first hand the challenges, the sadness, the worry and the joy that families face when their child is born prematurely. It has certainly permeated my own family.
My twin brother, Kristiaan, didn’t survive, and I guess at times I have internalised how lucky I am to breath, walk and run - it sounds a bit naff, and that's how it is. He, could have been me.
Running has been a transformative journey for me over the last few years, and I'm honored to use my passion to give back to a cause that means so much to me.
I've been fortunate enough to be part of a longitudinal study of 3-4 decades at the Royal Womens Hospital in Melbourne and have met with other premmies of the same age with a range of medical challenges, I am clearly one of the lucky ones.
So some stats...
In Australia, approximately 26,000 babies are born prematurely each year, making it the single greatest cause of death and disability in children up to five years of age. One in ten babies are born before 37 weeks gestation, and many require specialised care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The costs associated with neonatal care can be substantial, both financially and emotionally, for families.
How much do I want to raise? Well, as much as possible - and as a starting point - I thought $5 for each km, so $2,500. Let's give it a good go :) AND I do know we all have our own individual causes that we like to give to, so even the bare minimum is gratefully received.
Your donation will directly support "Running for Premature Babies" a charity aiming to to make a difference in the lives of premature babies and their families.
Cheerio legends!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$211
Merilyn Ljubanovic
$208.60
Marnie &ben
Now you’re finally running a real distance I can pay up 🥳
$106.12
Chizzpsych
Good on you Dane! Happy training and keep up the great work.
$106.12
Steve And Penn
Run Dane, Run! Congrats on your efforts for a great cause!
$106.12
Erica Fountain
Go get it Dane! The whole OGRC is behind you!!!
$105.50
Alison Paton
$105.50
Rob And Susie Pascoe
$100
Justin + Rebecca Hirsch
Amazing effort brother
$64.67
Macraes
Inspirational Dane! Keep running and sharing your triumphs and challenges. What a journey. :) Jane, Lach and boys.
$64.67
Ash
Keep it up mate. Well done.
$64.67
Pj
Great stuff Dane... awesome cause.
$64.67
Fiona Creak
Congratulations Dane on this courageous goal and epic effort so far. Good luck for your first Marathon!
$63.30
Anonymous
$63.30
Lach, Lou, Aria & Evie Robertson
Great cause Dane! Well done and looking forward to seeing all the running throughout the next year!
$63.23
Robyn Werner
Awesome thing you are doing mate! Proud of ya. Keep on runnin Forrest!
$54.12
Nige Preston
Good on you, Dane! I reckon the Buffalo Stampede is worth DOUBLE the 42km personally, so keep at it.
$54.12
The Hiscos
We are so happy to support you and this valuable cause. Run Dane, run!
$54.12
Lauren Mcdonald
Very happy to support this insanity! Best of luck for your first full! X
$52.75
Merryn Tune
Great work Dane ….
$52.75
Claire And Dane
Love that you can run for those that cannot and help support an incredible cause.
$33.15
The Wendts!
Good on you Dane, amazing effort doing all this running!
$31.65
Anonymous
$27.81
Kate Froelich And Shane Creaney
Way to go Dane!
$27.81
Julie Butler
Go Dane! X
$26.38
Jen & Simon
Well done Dane!
$26.38
Cam, Lest And Charlie
Onya Dane! Great effort!
$26.38
Sally Mitchell
Strong work Daneo
$25
