UPDATE: Tower Hill’s Adam White has emerged victorious after battling leukemia and surviving a heart attack, all while holding his three-month-old son, Charlie. White shared his incredible journey during the Relay for Life candlelight ceremony in Warrnambool on February 21, 2026, highlighting the importance of community support in times of crisis.
White’s harrowing experience began in June 2024, following a routine wisdom tooth extraction that led to a shocking leukemia diagnosis. “I woke up the next morning, couldn’t get out of bed,” he recalls. An ambulance ride to Melbourne’s Sandringham Hospital revealed alarming blood test results, indicating his white blood cell count was at 95, far above the normal level of 10. Just hours later, he began his first round of chemotherapy.
After undergoing five rounds of treatment over six months, White achieved full remission in November 2024. However, just as his life seemed to stabilize, he received news of a new pregnancy and then faced a devastating relapse. “The next day I found out I’d relapsed,” he said, which led to another hospitalization where he suffered a heart attack due to a blood clot.
Gratefully, medical staff acted swiftly, removing the clot just in time. “If I hadn’t been in the hospital, I wouldn’t have survived,” said White, who ultimately underwent a stem cell transplant and several months on immunosuppressant drugs. Now, he proudly holds his son, stating, “It made it all worthwhile.”
During his treatment, the community rallied around White, emphasizing the need for events like Relay for Life. “You just don’t realize how many people are touched by cancer,” he remarked. Event organizer Jodie Carey announced that in 2025, the event raised nearly $75,000 for cancer research, with over 300 participants registered this year.
The relay attracted individuals from across the state, including Michael Grayling, a cancer survivor who has participated in 742 Relay for Life events since his own stage three cancer diagnosis at age 23. “We desperately need to find a cure,” Grayling urged, highlighting the ongoing battle against cancer with heartbreaking statistics.
As the event unfolds, participants engage in various activities, united in their fight against cancer. The emotional stories shared at the event serve as a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support.
White’s story resonates beyond individual triumph, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of adversity. As he continues to cherish moments with his son, he reflects on the terrifying uncertainty of his illness. “I didn’t want to be writing wills at 42 years old,” he said, a sobering reminder of the stakes involved.
Now more than ever, the fight against cancer needs community involvement and awareness. Events like Relay for Life not only provide crucial funding but also foster a collective spirit of support that is vital for those affected by this disease.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Relay for Life event continues, bringing together heroes like Adam White and many others in the ongoing battle against cancer.
