he was unwell in hospital . He loved nothing better than pranking his friends and having a joke with the nurses . He was also kind and compassionate . A deep thinker . A spiritual soul . A great friend . Someone who was able to appreciate and cherish everything he had , no matter how small .
He lived life to the full , and he took a genuine interest in everyone he met and talked to . His Mum , Jenny , would say he was also occasionally vague and at times lacked common sense ; however , his philosophical nature meant he approached his illness and death with maturity and wisdom , so much so that he made it easy for everyone around him , particularly in the last few weeks of his life . During this time he displayed incredible strength , dignity and humour .
Ned attended Scotch College from Year 7 ( 2010-15 ) and loved his time there . He embraced the learning , the friendships , the sport , and all the opportunities presented to him . One which was particularly life-changing for Ned was a school trip to Nepal , which altered his view of the world , possessions and the environmental damage humans are engaged in .
He was really inspired by his teachers , forming some lovely bonds with them over the years . He was able to be in touch with some of them in the last few weeks of his life , which he really appreciated .
Ned was introduced to the sport of rock climbing , another of his passions , by a Scotch teacher whom he really admired . He went on a Year 10 climbing camp with Mr Ken James at Mount Arapiles , and went on to buddy-up with Ken to compete in the 24 Hour Hike at Scotch , as a fundraising program . They both wanted to try and achieve more than 100km , which they did . Ned was in awe of the way Ken was able to walk normally after this feat of endurance , while he struggled to move his legs at all .
Ned ’ s love of the environment saw him undertake studies in Environmental Science at Melbourne University , after completing VCE . He had the world at his feet when at 21 he was diagnosed with a rare form of acute myeloid leukaemia . For 15 months Ned fought with tremendous strength , dignity and determination , enduring a stem cell transplant , clinical trials and chemotherapy , but tragically he lost his battle with this
Through the experience of his own cancer treatment and a love of science , Ned developed a keen interest in leukaemia treatment and research . Just before he died he agreed to donate a vial of his blood to the team at The Alfred Hospital , and was able to spend time with his treating specialist , Associate Professor Andrew Wei , who shared with Ned how his blood would be used in research and trials .
Ned ’ s blood will be stored indefinitely so that researchers worldwide can work towards extending the lives of people with his type of cancer , and hopefully someday developing a cure .
Ned not only gave his blood , but he made the decision to donate $ 40,000 of his life insurance to the Alfred Foundation , specifically to Professor Wei and his team . This amazing contribution was bolstered by friends and family who donated to a GoFundMe campaign , set up in Ned ’ s memory , which raised a further $ 30,000 . Ned would have been proud , gratified and humbled at this amazing support .
Ned will certainly always have a place in the hearts and minds of all who knew him , but his legacy will be much more than that , as indicated by Professor Andrew Wei in an article in the winter edition of Impossible , the Alfred Foundation ’ s magazine .
‘ All research begins with an idea . The idea is translated into a long series of experiments and clinical trials , with the hope that eventually a drug will be produced . If a drug is shown to extend life by one year and is delivered to 10,000 people , then the equivalent of 10,000 life years could be gained . This hope is what motivates cancer researchers . Ned ’ s generous donation will create the ideas and the means to promote future research . In this way , Ned has already made a difference .’
Ned ’ s courageous and inspiring words were posted on Facebook shortly before he died : ‘ Hello my fellow warriors ! ‘ My story is I had a bone marrow transplant for a high risk Acute Myeloid Leukaemia ( MLL arrangement ) in feb last year , relapsed in July , had clinical trials and further induction chemo and donor leukocyte infusion which was keeping the leukaemia down , but unfortunately not anymore . The doctors have said there is nothing more they can do , and my body is very weak .
‘ The reason I ’ m posting this is because I just wanted to express my thoughts as I near the end of my life . Whilst I am sad , I fought a long and tough battle , but since relapsing I found the continual mental uncertainty about my future the most harrowing aspect of this battle . However I now feel relieved , having known for quite some time my chances were slim , and am very at peace just spending time with my beautiful family and friends . I ’ ve been reflecting on just how fortunate I ’ ve been to have 22 years and how good it has been being alive .
‘ I guess I just wanted to share my thoughts and offer my feelings , knowing I really did give it my best shot . When I see so many people finding it so tough after cancer and a SCT , it makes me admire the human spirit so much – to keep on living and giving everything in the face of such adversity – that , I think , is the hardest part .
‘ Much love to the warriors out there , keep on fighting !’
To support research into leukaemia at The Alfred Hospital , go to https :// www . alfredhealth . org . au / the-alfred-foundation / donate or search ‘ The Alfred Foundation ’ and click on ‘ Donate ’. Please choose ‘ Gifts in memory of Ned Parnham ’ from the dropdown menu , titled ‘ Direct my donation to ’, to ensure the funds go to Professor Wei and his team .
Click on this link to access an Alfred Hospital Foundation newsletter article about Ned Parnham : Alfred Hospital Foundation newsletter – Ned Parnham
disease and died in February this year . HAVING FUN WHILE A YEAR 11 BOY IN 2014
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 63