Jakeb Coleman: Why I give back to Telethon

Hi, my name is Jakeb Coleman. I’m 13-years-old and I have a strong and very personal connection to Telethon. When I was just 18-months-old I was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour.

Through treatment and surgery, I am now cancer free. But it was a long road to recovery and my tiny body was subjected to endless painful procedures, the trauma of which still lives with me today.

Telethon helped save my life, as it does for thousands of others, through all of the money generous West Australians donate each and every year.

As a way of giving back, I decided to do my own Telethon fundraiser last year. I ran more than 75km from Mandurah to Perth to raise money. It was gruelling and at some points I was going to quit but then I remembered what I was doing it for — Telethon, and that kept me going.

And it impacts the lives of kids all over WA. Kids just like me.

I look forward to attending Telethon weekend every year, I have even stayed for the full 26 hours.

I have had the privilege of meeting some of the little Telethon stars and it has been inspirational to see them still with a smile on their face after all they have been through and the challenges they have had to overcome to just be here today.

This is what Telethon is all about — helping kids who need it most.