Each October, the New England community come together for something truly special – the 19 for 19 Challenge. Having become one of the region’s most powerful community events, the challenge unites people of all ages in honour of the beautiful Anya Zuber, who tragically passed away from osteosarcoma at just 19 years old, and whose final wish was to help kids going through the same thing. This year feels especially significant, marking five years since Anya’s passing. Though she is no longer with us, her light, laughter, and her fierce determination live on through the achievements of Anya’s Wish, the foundation started in support of her dream to find a better way. Thanks to the kindness of the New England community and the generous support of major sponsors like Roberts + Morrow, Anya’s Wish has already raised close to $1 million – funding that has directly contributed to groundbreaking, world-first research – offering hope to children and families facing osteosarcoma worldwide.
This community story is proudly brought to you in partnership with Roberts + Morrow.
For those who knew her, Anya was unforgettable. She loved her family, her friends, and the New England countryside she grew up exploring. Anya’s journey with osteosarcoma began when she was just 13 years old, after what first seemed like nothing more than a sore knee. Following months of gruelling treatment and several recurrences, Anya returned to her studies and went on to finish her HSC. It was in her gap year in 2020 when a PET scan revealed activity in her lungs. More surgery followed, and soon after she was given the all-clear once again.
“We came home and couldn’t believe it,” Elizabeth Egan, Anya’s mum, recalled. “It was actually my birthday. We went out for dinner with family and friends to celebrate. But the next morning Anya came downstairs and said, ‘Mum, there’s something wrong.’ Just 12 days later she was gone. It was a devastating and sudden recurrence of the disease. She was on strong pain relief, but at two in the morning she would sit bolt upright with instructions,” Liz said, “One night she told us, ‘You’ve got to do something about this.”
Anya’s legacy
Since the beginning, Anya’s Wish and the 19 for 19 Challenge have become pillars of hope for kids and families touched by osteosarcoma. Born from the sobering reality that today’s treatments are much the same as they were decades ago: surgery, often amputation, high-dose chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, Anya’s wish was to find a better way.
“Even if Anya had got through, the harsh treatments cause ongoing problems for kids who do survive,” Liz explained. “There’s often the risk of recurrence or even a different cancer later on, plus the lifelong side effects, damage to hearing, to the heart… it’s just devastating.”
Just days after Anya’s passing, Liz connected with the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, where Associate Professor Emmy Fleuren was beginning a program dedicated to sarcoma research. “It was a bit of serendipity,” Liz said. “We asked Emmy, ‘If you had a magic wand, what would you do to get rid of this disease and make treatments better?’ She came back with a three-year research project aimed at exactly that.”
To make it happen, Anya’s Wish committed to raising $600,000. Two hundred thousand each year to fund research in Dr Fleuren’s lab. “At first it felt impossible,” Liz said. “But within two years, we’d already reached the target. That’s the power of community, and that’s when we knew we were part of something much bigger than ourselves.”
The research, now well underway, is focused on more targeted drugs that specifically attack tumour cells and leave healthy cells unharmed. It’s a bold and groundbreaking approach that has already made incredible progress, and could one day spare children the brutal side effects of current treatments and deliver better outcomes.
World-first cancer research powered by sponsors and community
Behind the scenes, the 19 for 19 Challenge is made possible by a network of local businesses, community members, and volunteers who pour their time, resources, and energy into ensuring the event continues to grow each year. Roberts + Morrow, long-time supporters of Anya’s Wish, have been there since the beginning. “The ongoing support from local businesses is what makes this event possible,” said Liz. “It’s proof that our community truly rallies behind what matters most.”
“Just recently I was sitting with Joss from Roberts + Morrow, and as she listened to Anya’s story, you could see how much it meant,” Liz added. “It’s not your typical sponsorship. It’s a lovely relationship, one that feels incredibly supportive and encouraging, and not just from a practical point of view. I’m so grateful for the team and the support that Roberts + Morrow have shown. That kind of ongoing support is just so special.”
The 19 for 19 Challenge
Capturing the very best of community spirit, the 19 for 19 Challenge is a 19km walk through some of the New England region’s most stunning scenery. Families in sky-blue shirts walk side by side, children race ahead with laughter, and people of all ages, backgrounds, and stories come together with one shared purpose: to honour Anya, to support families, and to keep moving forward in hope. Every dollar raised from ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship goes directly to the Children’s Cancer Institute through Anya’s Wish, ensuring the event always stays true to its purpose. To find out more about this year’s event, held on Sunday 19 October, and to book your tickets, click here.
Meg Miller
Digital Marketing Manager. Adventure seeking writer, free spirit, smitten aunt and dog mum.
