Five million people across the globe and 140 Australians each year face an unknown future as they are diagnosed with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes (BMFS) – a rare collection of medical conditions where the bone marrow or ‘engine room’ of blood cell production simply stops working. It is this condition that tragically claimed the life of Maddie Riewoldt at just 26 years old in February 2015.

To support research into new treatments, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision (Maddie’s Vision) is calling for schools, students and local sporting clubs across Australia to register to take part in the inaugural Maddie’s MarrowThon this August.

This new program encourages children from Year 5 through to Year 8 to challenge themselves and in doing so, raise awareness and funds about this potentially fatal collection of diseases.

The Riewoldt family established Maddie’s Vision in June 2015 to honour Maddie’s wish to find a cure for BMFS and ensure that no one else had to go through what she did.

“Maddie was a fighter and through the most challenging of times, she dug deep and set daily goals to challenge herself. It’s fitting that we are launching a national campaign to encourage children to personally challenge themselves,” said Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda Football Club Captain and Maddie’s brother.

“Maddie’s MarrowThon is about children setting themselves a challenge that will push them out of their comfort zone. Whether that be by kicking 100 goals, cutting out lollies, running two kilometres or cooking a family dinner, they will set themselves a challenge whilst also learning about bone marrow failures, what happens when bone marrow doesn’t work properly and helping raise funds for Maddie’s Vision,” he added.

“If I was a child taking part I would challenge myself by starting to learn German.”

Maddie’s MarrowThon will run from Monday 22 August to Friday 2 September 2016 and involves children taking up a personal challenge in one of four key learning and development areas – Sport, Health and Fitness, Arts and Academia. A learning framework developed by education experts will also be made available for download to give students the opportunity to learn about the importance of bone marrow and blood.

Twenty-seven- year-old Jamie Wiedmann is an Aplastic Anemia (a rare BMFS disease) sufferer who knows all too well the battle that Maddie Riewoldt went through. After fighting the disease for one year before finding out she was in remission, Melbourne-based Jamie has dedicated herself to fundraising and has so far raised over $10,000 for Maddie's Vision from participating in three half marathons.

“I'm the same age as Maddie and it's crazy to think that my battle with Aplastic Anemia turned out differently, there is so much I want achieve and just because I’m in remission from Aplastic Anemia doesn’t mean I’m now going to sit back,” said Jamie.

Jamie has been fortunate because for 25-30 per cent of patients with Aplastic Anemia there is no response to treatment. Even in cases with a treatment response, such as Jamie, relapse as well as acquiring cancers such as Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and leukemia are a real risk – a few of the many unknowns these young people and families have to manage.

“Maddie’s MarrowThon is the perfect example of how schools or clubs can get involved and help fund a cure,” added Jamie.

To provide support and tips to children in their personal challenge and fundraising efforts, Maddie’s Vision has announced a suite of Maddie’s MarrowThon ambassadors who will be taking part in the campaign.

SPORT

HEALTH AND FITNESS

  • Nick Riewoldt – St Kilda Football Club Captain and Maddie’s Brother

  • Maverick Weller – St Kilda Football Club player

  • Darcy Vescio – Western Bulldogs Women’s player and AFL Multicultural Ambassador

  • Kyle Adnam – Kilsyth Cobras basketball player and part of the National Basketball League

  • Alana King – Melbourne Stars cricket player

  • Sam Wood – 28 Program, The Woodshed and Gecko Sports

  • Chloe McCardel – Professional Marathon Swimmer

  • Will Cannon – Professional Triathlete

ARTS

  • Tessa James – Actress (ex Home and Away) and Model

  • Tom Oliver – Actor and Singer (ex- The Voice in Kylie Minogue’s team)

ACADEMIC

  • Jemima Montag – Year 12 Student. Elite Walker, Australian representative: IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championships and Captain of the Australian Team

Schools, teachers, parents, students and local clubs can visit www.mrv.org.au to register now

to take part in Maddie’s MarrowThon and start fundraising today. There are opportunities for schools to win prizes for being involved.

“Medical research into understanding and treating BMFS diseases can also be translated t other types of medical research and treatment so what we learn from greater understand of bone marrow has a wide application to other medical challenges,” said Nick Riewoldt.

“Join us for Maddie’s MarrowThon this August to #fightlikemaddie!”