Charity Superstar spotlight: DJ Sam

I'm Sam, a civil engineer by trade and fun-run loving DJ by choice. If not rocking hi-vis or demonstrating questionable dad dancing, you'll probably catch me & my partner in Sydney - often being coerced into buying ice cream by our daughter, or panic-dashing after our son charging towards some kind of cliff edge (cracking training though, and a new-found weird adrenaline buzz too!). 

A very different kind of buzz to what a young(er!) DJ Kashmir chased when back home in England. I started out behind the decks whilst juggling long shifts on civil construction sites, early university deadlines, and late (but so great) raves...shout out to caffeine and reliable classmates! As my life has evolved, so has my love of DJing. What began as a passion for music, shared with like-minded mates, grew into a rewarding journey of personal escapism and decompression - particularly following a thyroid & lymph cancer diagnosis in 2022.  

Now, three years on, I have reached a new, powerful chapter in my journey - Paying It Forward. Whether it be surprise parties for mates across the world, or getting sweaty on Sydney's streets, DJing for me is all about turning frowns around with some care-free positivity. 

Following my cancer diagnosis, I was referred to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. There were only a few weeks in between my diagnosis and surgery, and being from England meant my close family and friends couldn't physically be there to offer me support. It was during this initial chapter where Chris O’Brien Lifehouse meant the most. What could have been a particularly dark experience was pleasantly manageable considering the circumstances. After my brief journey, it was clear to me that Chris O'Brien Lifehouse really means so much to so many.  

What better way to spread some awareness and inspirational fun than a sweaty bloke pumping out cheesy dance music from a mobile DJ concoction?! This ridiculous idea planted itself perfectly in my 'Paying It Forward' chapter...less so in my chiropractor budget! 

Surreal. I don't know if it was dehydration delirium from dancing, or shared crowd adrenaline, but post-run my cheeks hurt more than my back from constantly laughing and grinning. The day was glittered with hilarious and memorable interactions, from the live TV appearances, ongoing support from COBL’s fundraising crew, the overwhelming response to my fundraising page, to managing to somewhat mix 'Eye of the Tiger' into Missy Elliot's 'Work it' on Heartbreak Hill's disgusting ascent. 

Top event moments (to memory): 

1. Starting with a cluster of keen street-partiers, finishing with a pumping mass of festival friends for life.
2. Seeing myself on TV later that day (for good reasons too!).
3. Playing 'Kanye West - Jesus Walks' running alongside (a bloke dressed as) Jesus carrying his crucifix and his Darth Vadar disciple mate.
4. A legend of a chap running alongside on the phone to his Mrs, asking her for his credit card details after scanning the fundraising QR stuck to my back.
5. Downloading 'Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner' on the run just to prove to an older gent that us youth 'know about good music!'.
6. Shouting out NSW Police force with 'KRS-One - Sound of da Police'.
7. Macarena conga and playing 'Guess the Intro' with toilet queuers.
8. The Lane Cove Tunnel rave.
9. Twerking on live TV with Karl Stefanovic and his crew.
10. Hitting ‘Chris O'Brien Lifehouse top fundraiser’ status!!!

Challenging moments: 

1. Getting home… 

1. Getting out of bed that morning… 

I hope to help other patients, and their loved ones experience the same tremendous level of comfort and support during their Chris O'Brien Lifehouse journey as I did. 

I learnt a lot during this adventure.  Colleagues I'd worked with for a long time, and even some I hardly knew reached out after they saw my page and opened up, sharing really significant personal stories related to themselves or their loved ones. This unprecedented support, through shared lived experiences with cancer, only motivated me more. The real goal here is proving there's hope and brightness after dark times.  

Not only did I make new friends and raise awareness about the work of Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, but I also achieved a remarkable grand fundraising total thanks to everyone's incredible generosity. It made (almost) every blister worth it!  

I can hardly run a bath without sweating, so go at your own pace and you'll have a cracking day whilst helping a place which means so much to so many. 

Catch me again in May at the Runaway Sydney event!