About Me
My name is Sean Ewart
I experienced a healthy, happy childhood playing all the usual sports such as soccer, cricket, basketball and Aussie rules. In late June 2008, at the age of 16, I discovered several inflamed lumps on my lower legs. I began feeling lethargic and fatigued and couldn't attend school.
What was first thought to be glandular fever was eventually diagnosed as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). I was now effectively fighting for my life in the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.
Over the following six months I endured five cycles of potent chemotherapy, with side effects such as infection, hair loss, nausea, weight loss & heart problems, along with the endless needles, blood tests, marrow biopsies & isolation. During this time, I was unable to return home.
This treatment, however, proved to be ineffective and in May 2009 - I relapsed.
To say it was devastating for myself and my family is an understatement. I not only had to endure the gruelling treatments again, but overcoming AML once already, and then relapsing meant my percentage of survival was dramatically reduced. Once again I began the long fight to save my life.
Unable to find a matching bone marrow donor, I underwent a stem cell
transplant, which was considered rare at the time. I spent 85 days in a specialised isolation room only seeing the outside world through a window and having limited access to family and visitors.
In December 2009 I was finally allowed to go home; by 2010 I was considered in remission.
Making Dreams Come True
Part One - Finke Desert Race
Several organisations provide various forms of support for children with a critical illness and their families. Make-A-Wish® Australia were there for me and helped me cope with my illness by providing plenty of distractions. I feel eternally grateful for the help they gave me, and as a result, I wanted to give back to the organisation that made my time in the Royal Children's Hospital slightly more bearable. My aim now is to improve awareness and raise support for Make-A-Wish® Australia.
In June 2019, I set myself a challenge - to complete one of Australia's biggest dirt bike races (the Finke Desert Race), as a way of celebrating my 10th year in remission!
Throughout this journey I raised money for Make-A-Wish® Australia. After 10 years in remission, it was time to raise funds and give back to Make-A-Wish® and show my appreciation as a former Wish Child, and become part of their Wish Force, helping raise vital funds for the hundreds of Wish Kids they still help to this day.
Making Dreams Come True
Part Two - Ride from Perth to Melbourne
Make-A-Wish brought immeasurable joy and hope into my life. For a brief moment, I was able to escape the relentless cycle of treatments, hospital visits, and the emotional toll that illness brings. That experience reignited my dreams and allowed me to envision a future beyond my illness.
My next challenge I have set myself is to ride a bike from Perth - Western Australia to Melbourne - Victoria; a distance of approximately 3,440 kilometres, over 25 days, with the aim of raising $50 000 for Make A Wish Australia.
This is not just a physical challenge; it’s a mission to uplift the spirits of children facing their own battles with serious illnesses. Overcoming cancer is only part of the journey; many kids still grapple with the emotional aftermath long after their treatment ends. The guilt of survival, witnessing their loved ones endure hardship, and navigating the unknown can be overwhelming.
This is where Make-A-Wish plays a vital role - by granting wishes they create moments of joy and connection for children and their families during some of the darkest times. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference.