Finish line triumph: 8-year-old conquers cancer, victory laps at Bathurst 1000 pictured on V8 SuperUte roof

Kids with Cancer Foundation

Two years ago, Connor was just 6 years old when his family heard the devastating words that turned their lives upside down: “Connor has cancer - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia”. On that day, Connor joined the 1,000 Australian children aged 0 to 18 who are diagnosed with cancer each year—a moment that marked the beginning of a journey no child should have to take.

Fast-forward to September 2025: Connor is now 8 years old and has won his biggest battle. After many months of intensive treatment and hospital stays, he's cancer-free and embracing every moment. From sharing laughs with NRL Bulldogs player Jacob Kiraz, to the emotional bell-ringing ceremony at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead to mark the end of his treatment, and in October - heading to the 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 where he will picture on the roof of V8 SuperUtes driver Jimmy Vernon’s car as it roars around the track.

Rebecca, Connor’s mum said: “The fear that comes with a childhood cancer diagnosis is unlike anything else; it’s a moment that turns life upside down. Families rely on the strength of their oncology teams, the support of their communities, and organisations like Kids with Cancer Foundation to get through the hardest days of their lives.

“When a child is in treatment, everyday life doesn’t pause. Bills still arrive, and emotional strain runs high. Kids with Cancer Foundation helps ease that burden, offering financial relief, moments of joy through weekly Care Packs filled with snacks, games, and toys for distraction to brighten hospital days, and so much more.

“There have been days I didn’t know how we would make it through. But with the support of Kids with Cancer Foundation and some of their ambassadors like Jacob Kiraz, who has lived this personally in his own family, and Jimmy Vernon, whose care and commitment to raising awareness and funds is so genuine, we felt lifted up. We are forever grateful to them for standing with us. Their support shows what’s possible when people care deeply. But to reach every family, we need to keep going: more research, more funding, and more support are essential in this fight.”

"For two years we’ve dreamed of Connor being cancer-free, and now we're finally here. Since Connor is sports-mad – especially NRL and racing – celebrating and spending time with his idols who've become part of our journey through Kids with Cancer Foundation makes this even more special," Rebecca added.

Connor celebrates being cancer-free with his idols

Both V8SuperUtes driver Jimmy Vernon and NRL star Jacob Kiraz are Ambassadors for Kids with Cancer Foundation.

In October, Connor is heading to the 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 with Jimmy Vernon, where his picture will feature on the roof of Jimmy Vernon’s car, as well as on Jimmy’s helmet. Connor and his family will experience all the action from the pits, meet drivers and more.

Jimmy Vernon said: “Getting to know Connor and his family over the past two years has been such a joy, and I'm honoured to celebrate this incredible milestone with him. As a father myself, hearing about families going through cancer diagnoses really hit home. That's why I became a Kids with Cancer Foundation Ambassador in 2020 – to help however I can, whether it's dedicating races to kids with cancer, bringing families to the track for respite weekends, or delivering Care Packs. I’m thrilled to celebrate Connor at Bathurst in October, and to shine the light on all kids chasing a brighter tomorrow after a cancer diagnosis which turns their lives – and their family’s lives - upside down.”

Towards the end of his treatment, Connor also celebrated with Jacob Kiraz – who was inspired to become an Ambassador for Kids with Cancer Foundation after his brother battled leukemia. Connor put Jacob in the interview hotseat, with Jacob opening up about his family’s experience during his brother’s cancer treatment, and Connor explaining to Jacob his hardest part of treatment – “probably my operations… I just hated the taste of the mask” – and what made him happy during treatment – “my family and just people keeping me entertained” – view Connor’s chat with Jacob on YouTube: https://youtu.be/52QzJ1v-89A

During Jacob Kiraz’s chat with Connor, Jacob said: “It’s not easy going through the pain, as you would know as well, but when you’ve got your family around…Me and my brothers were always around him, playing play station – we had the play station in his room - we did everything to get his mind off it. Whatever I feel, when I’m sore or something, it’s nothing like what my brother went through. He’s inspired me with how strong he is, and I’m sure that’s the same with you (Connor) - even though you’re young, you’ve inspired a lot of people.”

Connor’s story – from cancer diagnosis to ringing the bell

In 2023, Connor had sickness after sickness, tummy and leg pains, and bruising. Initially, Connor's parents and GP attributed his symptoms to common causes - school germs, growing pains and typical childhood bruises.

Then one night in August 2023, severe stomach pain led to an emergency hospital visit. After blood tests and further testing at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Connor was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Connor underwent seven months of intensive chemotherapy with numerous side effects and isolation ward stays. Twice he lost his ability to walk and required physiotherapy to rebuild strength. He completed intensive treatment in March 2024, continued oral chemotherapy, and then in August 2025 was declared cancer-free - ringing the bell to mark the end of his treatment.

Ringing the Bell

Todd Prees, CEO of Kids with Cancer Foundation said: “Children’s oncology wards around the world often have a bell which children ring to mark the end of their treatment, symbolising a major milestone, a celebration and beacon of hope for others. Connor was incredibly excited to ring the bell at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead –myself and the entire team at Kids with Cancer Foundation were proud to celebrate this incredible milestone with Connor and his family and are honoured to have supported them throughout their journey to this point.

“Since 1998, Kids with Cancer Foundation, has been making today easier for kids with cancer and their families. We are committed to improving paediatric cancer care at scale. Just to name a few, we are currently funding 22 essential clinical oncology positions at 7 children’s hospitals and 1 children’s hospice across Australia, 1 clinical trial in world-leading paediatric cancer treatment, and oncology ward upgrades at 2 major children’s hospitals.

“In its lifetime, Kids with Cancer Foundation has provided over $35 million in support funding across its programs. We continue to support paediatric oncology units across the country, aim to increase our financial support for families, continue our weekly deliveries of Care Packs and provide vital funding for research to discover treatments options that are more effective and less toxic for children. Our programs are supported by our generous donors and fundraisers, and the leaps and bounds in paediatric cancer care and outcomes we are beginning to see simply would not be possible without continued support. To everyone who can help - through donating or fundraising - on behalf of all kids with cancer and their families – we thank you.”

To learn more about Kids with Cancer Foundation and how you can help, visit www.kidswithcancer.org.au

To follow V8 Superute driver Jimmy Vernon as he races for Kids with Cancer, visit https://www.facebook.com/JimmyVernonRacing

About Kids with Cancer Foundation

Kids with Cancer Foundation (KWCF) was founded in 1998, to help make today easier for kids with cancer and their families. KWCF’s impact in Financial Year 2025 alone across its programs delivered: $2.23M in funding to children’s hospitals around Australia to fund critical hospital salaries and infrastructure; $484K funding to cancer research and clinical trials; $565K in direct financial support to families; delivering 5976 Care Packs to children undergoing cancer treatment in seven hospitals around Australia; and 52 bespoke wigs for children experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment through the Wigs4Kids program. In its lifetime, KWCF has provided over $35M in support across its programs. For more information about Kids with Cancer Foundation, visit www.kidswithcancer.org.au