Run for Lifehouse

Running for a Cause! What and Why

Tuesday 20th May My name is Tom Olofsen and on the 25th of October 2025, I will be running the Bondi to Manly 80km Ultra Marathon to help raise $5,000 for vital Cancer Research and treatment for one of Australia's biggest Cancer Foundations: The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

In June 2016, one of my dad’s closest mates and our close family friend, Bruce Alexander, passed away from cancer. His battle with Squamous Cell Carcinoma began in December 2015, when it was discovered in the follicle of his wisdom tooth. He underwent immediate surgery and was in hospital over Christmas. His kids were still only in primary school when they lost their dad. Watching their world be torn apart was heartbreaking for all of us.
Bruce wasn’t just a friend to our family. He was a loving father, a loyal mate, and someone who always took the time to make me smile growing up—bonding especially with our love for footy. This run is for him, and for families like the Alexanders who live through the long lasting effects of cancer long after the diagnosis.

I’ve chosen to fundraise for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse because they were the specialists who looked after Bruce. Chris Obrien Lifehouse provides extensive care for patients with neck and throat cancers and so many other forms of Cancer. With nearly 1 in 2 Australians being diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime, it’s a cause that touches all of us in some way—whether it’s a friend, a family member, or may have personally impacted yourself.

On the 25th of October, I will be running the 80km Bondi to Manly Ultra in Bruce’s memory, and for the many families still facing the same heartbreak of cancer-related diagnosis and deaths. If I can be a positive inspiration for someone else to help make change, or have even the smallest positive impact and bring a smile to a Cancer Patient's face, all the training, physical endurance and the 12 hours of suffering will all be worth it in the end.


Please consider donating if you can. Donations big and or small. $5, $15 or $100; every dollar helps us get closer to the $5,000 goal, and more importantly, helps fund life-changing treatment and research for those in need.
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