News 25 June 2008

Robbie's Memory Lives On

The Woodend Children's Park committee has received a $150,000 donation in memory of a courageous boy who continues to inspire and make a vital difference to the lives of others.

The donation, from Woodend resident Ray Lodder, honours his son Robbie who died in 1991 at the age of 11 following a courageous battle against Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Diagnosed with the disease in 1989, when he was eight years old, Robbie was in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant to survive. However, Robbie had a rare tissue type and they couldn't find a compatible donor within the family, there was no Bone Marrow Donor Register in Australia, and a worldwide search of over 300,000 overseas donors was heartbreakingly unsuccessful. As a result a small group of people including the Lodder family banded together to establish Australia's first bone marrow donor register.

Robbie took an active role in fundraising and bringing awareness to the register while he was waiting for a compatible bone marrow donor to come forward. He was involved in organising fundraising activities and became a spokesperson and the ‘face’ of the effort to raise more than $600,000 and register over 10,000 volunteer donors needed for the scheme to start working.

Throughout this time, the people of the Macedon Ranges community rallied behind the Lodder family, showing their support throughout Robbie’s illness of which Mr Lodder is extremely grateful for, in particular the Woodend service clubs of Apex, Lions and Rotary. Mr. Lodder said the Woodend Children’s Park presented a wonderful opportunity to give something back to the community, whilst leaving a legacy to honour Robbie’s achievements.

Today the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry has more than 153,000 names on it and has given more than 1500 people a second chance at life. The registry is now under the administration of the federal government and is linked to a worldwide network of registries. (Visit the Bone Marrow Donor Institute)

In 1996 the Bone Marrow Donor Institute established the National Cord Blood Bank with Robbie's picture and story of inspiration.

Woodend Children’s Park Committee President, Mrs Kellie Duff said the group was overwhelmed and deeply moved by the donation.

“Robbie was obviously a very special boy and the generosity of his family means that his legacy will live on whilst benefiting the community,” she said. “The Woodend Children’s Park Committee will dedicate special areas of the park to Robbie’s memory, paying tribute to his achievements that have helped and inspired so many. We feel extremely honoured to do this for the Lodder family and are sure that Robbie would have loved to visit the park.”

This generous donation means the Woodend Children’s Park committee is much closer to realising its dream of creating a park and playground in the heart of Woodend.

However, the team still needs to raise over $100,000 by October!!!!! To make a donation contact Kelly Clune on 0412 420146. To buy a paver drop into May Five Gifts in High Street Woodend or contact Jane Walduck on 5427 3308.

For more information contact
Kellie Duff – 5427 1857, childrenspark@woodendweb.org
Media contact – Slavka Scott 0419 33 77 3

Woodend Children's Park Incorporated ABN 76 727 270 589