By -

A Sydney law firm will participate in a charity bike ride in memory of child cancer patient Amity Rogers who tragically died of brain cancer at just six years old.

A nine-person team from law firm Harris & Harris, where Amity’s father Jackson Rogers works as a solicitor, will take part in the 12-hour “Endure for a Cure” bike race in May to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Institute.

“Obviously, we can’t help Amity, but we can try and help the next child,” Rogers told LSJ.

“This is a chance to do something.”

Amity was just shy of her fifth birthday when she was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in 2016. When tests came back negative for epilepsy and the doctor saw the results of Amity’s CT scan, the medical professionals wept for her.

Doctors gave Amity about nine months to live and immediately commenced radiation therapy but Rogers explained that this was essentially palliative treatment.

6 year old Amity smiling at the camera
Amity Rogers was only six years old when she died from a brain tumour known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
6 year old Amity smiling at the camera
Amity's dad Jackson says: "Amity really was a beautiful little person. She was full of empathy but she also had a certain cheekiness to her. Her big passions were art and physical activities - particularly dance, gym, and climbing. She was a real daredevil on the equipment."

“As people, and perhaps particularly as lawyers, we like to solve problems.  But with a child who is terminally ill, there is no adequate solution,” he said.

“It’s just a question of making the most of what time there is left.  For people who are one step removed from the process, that comes with its own challenges.”

Rogers said his small workplace took the impact of Amity’s death to heart when she passed last January. His boss gave him extended leave and financial assistance. He was also supported received by the Solicitor’s Benevolent Association, which enabled Rogers to cover the extensive costs of caring for a child with a serious illness.

Michael Harris, principal of Harris & Harris Solicitors, said that watching the tragedy that struck the Rogers family was a life-changing event for him also.

“The impact of seeing my friend lose his child to such a cruel and powerful disease makes you want to fight for its extinction.

“Everything that I have read suggests that a cure is simply a matter of resources and time. And so ‘Endure for a Cure’ is a great way to contribute by raising awareness and funds to help find that cure,” Harris said.

In over 50 years there have been no significant medical advances in DIPG treatment given the sensitive location of the tumour in the brainstem.

Donations to the Children’s Cancer Institute will help to fund important research for a cure. You can support the team by visiting: https://bit.ly/2va86My