A simple family walk, a moment many take for granted, is a monumental victory for a young Perth father who was told he might not live to see his children grow up.
This Sunday, Myles Fleay from Beeliar will lace up his sneakers alongside his wife Bec and their two young sons, Oliver, 5, and Arti, 3, for the Walk4BrainCancer along the South Perth Foreshore. The 5km event represents a dream he once feared was impossible.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis at 26
Myles's world was turned upside down six years ago. At just 26 years old, he suffered a sudden seizure at work. Rushed for tests, he received the devastating news: he had a grade 4 glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
"I had a second surgery where they removed most of the tumour, and then after that, I had six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy at the same time," Myles recounted. His treatment was intensified through a clinical trial, where he took chemotherapy tablets for 12 months instead of the standard six.
Defying Prognosis and Embracing Fatherhood
The diagnosis came as the couple were expecting their first child, plunging them into a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. "You're expecting a baby and you're being told most people only live for about 15 months — that's pretty wild to hear especially at Myles' age," Bec Fleay shared.
In an incredible show of strength, the family welcomed baby Oliver in the middle of Myles's intense radiation treatment. "Myles was doing treatment while looking after a newborn as well, so I think he did pretty well," Bec said.
Now, six years on, Myles has continued to defy the grim statistics. His cancer is currently stable and monitored with scans every three months. However, the journey remains nerve-wracking. "As time goes on, the survival statistics get smaller and smaller," Bec admitted.
A Call for More Brain Cancer Research
The Fleay family's experience has made them passionate advocates for increased brain cancer research. They are using their story to highlight the lack of new treatment options developed over recent decades.
"In the last 30 years, it's still the same - you only really have surgery, radiation and chemo and still that's not overly effective," Ms Fleay explained, underscoring the critical need for scientific advancement.
Their motivation is deeply personal. "We've got two little boys now, so that's our most important thing is making sure that they've got both of their parents around," she said.
The Walk4BrainCancer event starts at 9am on Sunday along the South Perth Foreshore, offering a powerful opportunity for the community to stand with families like the Fleays and support the quest for a cure.
