An emotional memorial paid tribute to a little girl who inspired so many during her short life. Eliza’s Game, a charity hockey match was held in York, only 100 kilometers east of Perth. The event aimed to raise funds for childhood cancer research and support organizations that assisted six-year-old Eliza Reynolds during her courageous battle with poorly differentiated chordoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Eliza died in March 2023 after removing her tumor, going through radiation, a clinical trial for chemotherapy and an experimental immunotherapy in the United States.
Eliza Reynolds was full of thoughtfulness and kindness, according to her mother Brittany Reynolds. Brittany offered a glimpse into her daughter’s creative, bright personality. She painted a picture of Eliza as “an absolute firecracker from the second she was born.” What came through the most about Eliza’s feisty personality was her passion for service. The community’s response to her illness brought this sharp contrast even more into focus.
The Fundraising Event
Eliza’s Game featured 374 players, including four members of today’s Hockeyroos and Kookaburras squads. The game lasted more than eight hours, showcasing not only the athleticism of the players but the depth of community support for a cause that resonates with many families facing similar challenges.
Hundreds more lined the sidelines to cheer the players on, with many wearing shirts and other items in solidarity with Eliza’s family. The amazing support showed that this community is serious about honoring Eliza’s memory and continuing her fight against childhood cancer. While the event raised useful funds, it helped unite York’s diverse residents and reinforced the city’s ownership of its story. Most importantly, it reminded everyone of the connection that we all share.
Fundraising Success
At the time of this writing, Eliza’s Game has already raised over $50,000 in donations from participants and their communities. Hurt to Help, the charity that helped Eliza through her illness, sprung into action to support the Boyland family. Today they were honored to present them with a check for $20,000. This huge gift from the Moore family highlights the critical role that community efforts play in helping families impacted by childhood cancer.
The funds raised will benefit two organizations: Hurt to Help and the Kids Research Institute. Both organizations are deeply passionate about furthering research and providing help to children battling cancer. This event is particularly meaningful to each of us touched by the disease.
Remembering Eliza
Eliza Reynolds’ legacy will continue through the collective efforts of those who participated in Eliza’s Game. The hockey match is not merely a sporting event but a powerful reminder of how communities can come together to support one another in times of need. In her closing remarks, Brittany Reynolds thanked the community for the outpouring of support her family received during Eliza’s journey.
