Running for Mum: Melbourne Brothers Lead Breast Cancer Charge Amid Metastatic Diagnosis

Middle brother Liam and mum Emma both available for select interview together

A trio of cricket-loving brothers from Melbourne’s southeast are rallying support after their beloved mum was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, launching a major push to raise vital funds for breast cancer support.

Banding together for their mum, Emma, Mulgrave brothers Liam, 22, Ben, 20 and Tom Raymond, 24, who all play for Mazenod Cricket Club, are lacing up alongside more than 8000 participants for this weekend’s Carman’s Fun Run in Brighton with all funds raised going to Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

The proud mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and received the all clear from her medical team in mid-2023, after undergoing extensive treatment. A year later, Emma, the school canteen manager at nearby Mazenod College, was told her cancer had returned and was diagnosed as metastatic, with cancer cells having spread to the thin tissue layer covering her brain.  

Despite the challenges, Emma remains positive, and the family credit BCNA for their invaluable support and information throughout her journey. “Breast cancer has challenged our family like nothing ever has,” says Liam. “We wanted to do something to make a difference, and when I stumbled across the Carman’s Fun Run, I knew it was the perfect way to show our support for Mum and BCNA.” 

Raising more than $35,000 participating in Carman’s Fun Run last year, the Raymonds, including mum Emma and dad John, have once again rallied a team — aptly named ‘Em-bracing The Challenge’ — to run alongside them, raising funds to ensure BCNA can continue to provide resources, guidance, and advocacy for those facing a breast cancer diagnosis. “We’ll never stop running for Mum. She continues to show incredible toughness while teaching us to choose gratitude every day,” Liam says. “Life can’t be taken for granted, and we’re grateful for the amazing support network around us.” 

Kicking off at Brighton’s Elsternwick Park on February 15, there’s still time to support the Raymond’s in Carman’s Fun Run with funds raised going to Breast Cancer Network Australia’s essential resources, advocacy, and services for more than 20,000 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer each year. 

Led by Breast Cancer Network Australia’s strategic national advocacy effort, 20,950 Australians (20,800 women and 150 men) are now known to be living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This is double previous estimates. Australia is the first country in the world to accurately identify its MBC population

PLS INCLUDE CREDITS Support the Raymonds at carmansfunrunmelbourne2026.grassrootz.com/bcna/em-brace-the-challenge. Register Your Team for Carman’s Fun Run at bcna.org.au

For interviews and further information, contact Steve Milton at Breast Cancer Network Australia at 0423584423 or smilton@bcna.org.au