Issue 8 Hotch Potch - University of Ballarat

Ben’s battle with acute myeloid leukaemia beganwhen he was 12 years old. His first fight was successfuland he went into remission. At 15 it returned,and whilst the chemo he received managed to clearthe leukaemia, the final dose affected his cerebellum(the area of the brain that controls balance). Ben hadto learn to walk and speak again. He suffered bullyingat school, followed by continual career setbacksdue to his slurred speech.to chemo and the state of his immune system, thatthere was nothing they could do for him. They decidedto bring the wedding date forward. Ben lefthospital to get married in September 2012 and returnedto hospital immediately afterwards. A monthlater, after an epic battle that stretched across yearsand touched so many lives, Ben passed away.Ben’s life has given his brother Matthew Aldenhoven(third year University ofBallarat student) a greaterperspective on living. Onhow to treat others, howto put university stressesinto perspective —“afterall, what do I have tocomplain about?”— andreally opened his eyes toprejudices in the workplaceand society.SpotlightMatthew and his brother BenNever giving up, he set himself clear goals; he entereda body building competition and trained as apersonal trainer. He passionately supported fundraisingefforts, either participating or assisting in theGreatest Shave. He eventually landed work at a gymin St. Kilda. He had been in remission for 17 years. Itseemed that things were looking up.On Good Friday in 2011, Ben went into hospitalagain. The leukaemia had returned. After a bout ofchemo, his body’s immune system dropped and hecontracted pneumonia. He was put into an inducedcoma as his lungs struggled to function, fortunatelya dose of nitrous oxide expanded the cells whichmeant that Ben made a full recovery and left hospitalby September 2011. During this time he proposed tohis girlfriend Allison … and she said “yes”.Their wedding was originally planned for Februaryof this year. However, when most couples would bein the midst of planning, Ben told his family the leukaemiahad returned. He went into hospital in June2012. The doctors said, due to his previous reactionsIn honour of his brother—ofhis journey, of hisresilience and passion,of his commitment anddetermination—Matthew,with his family andfriends,are holding an epicfundraiser on Saturday, 16March. They will be participatingin the World’s Greatest Shave with a team of12 people getting shaves or colours, hoping to raisethe most money ever as a team. Held at the WallaceRecreation Reserve from 10am, there will be acar and bike show, kid’s activities, markets stalls andbands.The Leukaemia Foundation does not receive governmentsupport, so all of itsmoney comes from fundraisingevents and donations.All money raisedgoes to research, counsellingservices for patientsand their families, workshops,transport, housingand financial support forfamilies who need timeoff from work to support their children and lovedones. $2,000 = one week of research.Please support Matthew Aldenhoven and his familyby attending this year’s fundraiser.By Alexandra Meerbach5