Golf Vic Vol 60 No 1

Photography: Paul Shire

Briony has become a tireless charity worker in Jarrod’s memory. Photo: Paul Lakatos

some reason, the sentiment behind those four simple words really resonated with me and easily summarised all the incredible things that were happening in Jarrod’s name around the world. As you can now see on social media, it has taken on a life of its own and it’s incredible to watch.

I say this because I want to use his story and our shared experiences to try to draw attention to the fact that there are parents around the country and around the world who are having to make the unthinkable decisions about their own children that we had to make about Jarrod.

Through his cancer journey, Jarrod was able to use his public profile to help raise awareness and generate funds to help continue the work of Challenge – an organisation and a cause that he was incredibly passionate about. Now, obviously, he can no longer continue that work. Since Jarrod’s death in August, we have received thousands of messages of support, offers of help, financial donations, and orders for Leuk the Duck merchandise from people all around the world. To say that we were not prepared is an understatement. I don’t think anybody could have anticipated the incredible number of orders that have been received since August, and that continue to this day. A humble range of products that had existed for years and managed to raise a few dollars for Challenge in golf circles literally exploded onto the world stage and became a symbol of cancer, golf, Jarrod, and so many other things. Jarrod and I had spoken many times over the past few years about ways in which we could do more for Challenge, and sometimes I joke about the lengths he has gone to, to make it happen. But that’s just my black humour, which helps get me through the day. It was a Victorian schoolgirl and up-and- coming golfer Keeley Marx who first used #doingitforjarrod on social media. I didn’t even know it existed for quite a few weeks until it was brought to my attention. For

Parents are having to choose a horrific course of treatment for their sick child in the hopes that it will eventually make them better. Parents are also meeting with palliative care teams when treatment options have been exhausted. Time and time again throughout Jarrod’s journey, he and I would acknowledge the fact that he was able to participate fully in every step of the process and he could voice his

I WANT TO USE HIS STORY AND OUR SHARED EXPERIENCES TO TRY TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PARENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE HAVING TO MAKE THE UNTHINKABLE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN CHILDREN THAT WE HAD TO MAKE ABOUT JARROD.

concerns, ask questions, give feedback and be actively involved in every decision and every discussion. The thought that there would be so many parents who would be making those same decisions on behalf of their infant/toddler/ child/teenager was a scenario that upset the two of us on many occasions. It’s something that should never happen, but we all know that it does. I now know that there’s something I can do for those parents – I can continue #doingitforjarrod by working even harder alongside Challenge to ensure the Leuk brand reaches new heights. The true value behind every single sale we make is so much more than a dollar value or a number on a page.

Whether the cameras are rolling or not, every single time any of us decides to wear yellow on the golf course, or proudly display our Leuk products, there’s a very good chance that decision has been inspired in some way by memories of Jarrod. Such simple little things on their own … but when all of those single actions are put together, they speak volumes for the incredible legacy that he has created. It’s this legacy that now drives me, and I’m hell-bent on ensuring that Jarrod’s journey does not die with him. Hopefully it doesn’t look to the outside world like I’m trying to take advantage of Jarrod’s death, although I’ll put my hand up to admit that I AM trying to leverage off the situation. But not for personal gain.

Golf Victoria 17