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Steps for the 125

By Jessica Falzon

My Activity Tracking

60
kms

My target 125 kms

One kilometre for every one of the 125 Australian's diagnosed with GBM each month

March is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, and this year I’ll be walking and running 125 kilometres to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer research.

This cause is deeply personal. My Dad was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) in June 2023 at just 59. GBM is the most aggressive and common form of adult brain cancer, and a diagnosis changes life overnight. Since then, Dad has faced surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy with incredible strength, optimism and grit. Recently, we learned that his latest scan shows tumour progression which is unfortunately a reality many families living with GBM know all too well.

In Australia, around 2,000 people are diagnosed with brain cancer each year, and GBM accounts for the majority of malignant cases. Survival outcomes remain devastatingly poor, with the median survival for GBM being around 14–15 months, and meaningful treatment breakthroughs have been limited for decades. This is why research funding matters so much. 

That’s where the 125 kilometres comes in. On average around 125 people are diagnosed with GBM in Australia each month, and every kilometre I complete in March represents one of those people, and their families suddenly learning to navigate a future they never expected. 

This challenge is my way of doing something constructive in a situation that can often feel out of our control. It’s about raising money for vital research, increasing awareness, and standing alongside everyone affected by brain cancer.

If you’re able to please donate, share, or help spread the word, it would mean a great deal to me, my family, and the thousands of Australians impacted by brain cancer every year. Together, we can help drive the research needed to change outcomes, and give families like ours more time, more hope, and better options.

Thank you for your support!

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$3,004

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$3,000

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Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

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My Updates

Week One Done (I'm in My Walking Pad Era)

Sunday 8th Mar

Week one of Steps for the 125 is officially in the books!!!

It wasn't exactly the triumphant, outdoorsy start I had pictured; instead, I spent most of the week crawled up on the couch battling a cold and getting very familiar with my walking pad. At this point I think the tread-belt and my shoes have become one.

But quitting was never really an option. So even while feeling a bit under the weather, I've kept stepping daily (sometimes slowly, sometimes dramatically, occasionally while questioning my life choices).

What has made this week truly incredible though has been the support. The donations, the messages, the encouragement… it’s honestly blown me away. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported the fundraiser so far. Because of your generosity, we’ve already reached 50% of my fundraising target in the first week (!!), which is amazing.

It’s a really special reminder that every step, every share, and every donation helps push us closer to better outcomes for those affected by brain cancer.

I’m excited to keep the steps going in week two, and I’m REALLY hoping Melbourne’s weather cooperates so I can break free from the treadmill chains and experience this rare and exotic concept known as fresh air and sunshine.

Thank you so much for being part of this journey with me, it truly means the world and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you!

Day 1: And We’re Off (Knee Injury and All)

Sunday 1st Mar

Today marks the first official day of fundraising! It’s March 1st, which means Steps for the 125 is officially underway.

And honestly? The universe decided to set the tone early.

A bit of a cold ✔️
Questionable Melbourne conditions ✔️
A slightly grumpy knee injury ✔️

But here we are anyway.

This month, I’m walking 125km to raise money for brain cancer awareness while my dad continues his fight with GBM. It feels fitting that day one wasn’t easy, because nothing about this journey has been easy, but showing up anyway feels like the point.

So this morning I ignored my knee’s complaints (within physio-approved limits, don’t worry), and got my butt to the treadmill at the gym. I’m officially 4km down, with only 121km to go… which sounds both very achievable and mildly unhinged depending on the moment you ask me.

What I didn’t expect was how emotional it would feel starting. Seeing donations already come through before I’d even taken my first steps has genuinely blown me away.

To everyone who has donated, shared, messaged, or cheered me on already - thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and support mean more than I can properly put into words. It makes every one of my steps feel purposeful.

This challenge is about awareness, hope, and pushing forward even when things feel hard; something my dad shows me every single day.

So, day one done.
4km walked.
A whole lot of gratitude.
And plenty more steps to come.

Let’s keep going 💛

Thank you to my Sponsors

$206.20

Jane Nolan

Great work Jess & thanks for sharing, I know how much this must mean to you & am grateful for the opportunity to be able to help support you & your Dad 🙏🏼❤️

$158.25

Mustafa Binici

$158.25

Kenan

$150

Jessica Falzon

$131.88

Mark Ray

$1 a K seems fair . . . .

$125

Stewart Tanner

$125 for 125, would like it to be more but every bit helps. Great work Jess.

$106.12

Anonymous

$106.12

At

Sending much love and support to you and your family. Thank you for turning something so deeply personal into a powerful act of hope for others. I hope this small contribution helps drive the research and awareness so desperately needed. You’re making a real difference!

$106.12

Patty

$106.12

Tricia Lee-guard

Awesome work Jess!

$106.12

Adam R

$106.12

Leeanne Darmanin

Good luck Jess, you’re a star!!

$106.12

Sen Ceka

$100

Mai & Joseph

🫶 💖

$95.90

Thameena Zarani

$88.88

Adrian Jones

$54.12

Chris Nase

Great work Jess! Good luck!

$54.12

Jb

Hi Jess, You are amazing! Sending love to you and your dad, and cheering you on all March. 💛 Love, Joyce

$54.12

Lisa Homa

Nice work Jess! Great effort for such a great cause

$54.12

Adam Kendall

$54.12

Noah Farrugia

$54.12

Natalia Ali

$50

Dean.s

$50

Brad S

$38.33

Vijay Raman

Good luck with the target!. Cancer is literally a cancer on the society that sucks the happiness out of this world.

$38.33

Nick Gascoigne

Go Jess!

$35

Ollie Macky

Best of luck Jess! Sending love to you and your family

$35

Joshua Adanuty

This is a great cause!!

$33.15

Nick Keogh

gooo jeesssss

$33.15

Darius Galea

$33.15

Michael Casha

$33.15

Alex Morizzi

Big Tony forever!

$33.15

Ghi Paine

Nice work on this Jess!

$33.15

Jeff

$33.15

Rebecca Tiet

Sending so much love to you and your family

$33.15

Stacey Beckley

Good luck Jess!

$30

Anna

What an amazing cause!! You go gf!! Xox

$30

Isabelle Cutajar

$30

Matt Azzopardi

$22.58

Melinda Stavrevski

$22.58

Jessica D

$22.58

Nathalie Kapuya

Wishing your dad well Jess.

$22.10

Jenn

$20

Joe Thomas

So proud of you for taking on this challenge for such a great cause. Keep going, Jessica! Every step counts.

$10

Anonymous