By YASEMIN TALAT
ST ALBANS resident Belinda Sudano is delivering the ‘Essence of Hope’ through various fund-raising events in memory of a dear friend.
Ms Sudano, who had held fund-raising events in the past, began fund-raising for the Leukaemia Foundation when her long-time friend Emma was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010.
Emma passed away in 2011 when she was 25 years old and ever since Ms Sudano has held a charity gala in her honour.
The Essence of Hope initiative, organised by Ms Sudano, has so far raised over $27,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
“When my friend was diagnosed with leukaemia it made sense for me to dedicate all my fund-raising efforts to the Leukaemia Foundation,” Ms Sudano said.
“The event is about coming together to raise money for the foundation and also a chance to come together to remember someone who was taken far too soon,” she said.
“I think it’s been a really important process for my grief and it’s part of my way of connecting with her.”
The friends met in high school and continued their friendship for the years beyond graduation.
“She was the only person who I would confide in about really significant things that were happening in my life that I didn’t share with anyone else,” Ms Sudano said.
Ms Sudano hoped her event would help raise awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation and the great work they did to help support patients and their families.
Essence of Hope Initiative’s annual charity night will be held in Docklands on 5 April 2014.
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/essenceofhopefundraising or to donate visit: http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/Essenceofhope2014
