Georgia Lowry

Little People, Big C: Episode 1

Published: March 29th, 2023

Georgia Lowry

They say good things come in small packages and Little People, Big C‘s first guest, Georgia Lowry is living proof of that. Georgia was just eight weeks old when she was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive cancer acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Almost 30 years after becoming the youngest ever recipient of a bone marrow transplant in Australia, Georgia Lowry is using her experience as a childhood cancer sufferer to help other young children who are suffering with the disease in a very special way.

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Georgia’s a rock star

Published: June 29th, 2022

Source: Serpentine Jarradale Examiner – Issue 1516 • June 30th 2022 – Pages 1 & 3
Author: Chris Fowler

A Mundijong resident and childhood cancer survivor had her dreams realised on Wednesday, when the Childhood Leukemia and Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF) gifted her a brand-new truck, to combine her love of hose-riding with her role as foundation ambassador.

Georgia Lowry was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of infantile leukemia at just eight weeks old, suffering through a punishing regimen of radiotherapy to combat the disease’s terrifying two per cent rate of survival. At six months of age, Georgia became the youngest bone marrow transplant recipient for leukemia in Australia, thanks to a donation from her sister, Grace. Following years of treatment, including periods of remission and return and a second bone marrow transplant, Georgia recovered, although she still suffers from the after-effects of her radiation treatments.

Having recently celebrated her 28th birthday, Georgia has volunteered as anambassador for CLCRF since 2012, enthusiastically giving her time to promote the foundation through public speaking and school visits. Time and energy, however, is not the only thing Georgia has contributed to cancer research. To this day, researchers around the world use Georgia’s cell lines to get a better understanding of how to treat the disease.

“We’ve got a tissue bank that we’ve been running here in WA for about 42 years and Georgia’s cell-lines are the rock stars,” CLCRF General Manager Kylie Dalton said.
“We test different drug protocols and when a research project is looking for a particular cell line, they will request those cells.”

For reasons still unknown, Georgia’s cells can be grown in the laboratory far more successfully than most. “Georgia’s cells seem to be able to do that,” Ms Dalton said. “I wish I could answer that, I really do. We just know that Georgia is a rock star in her own right.
“She’s an incredible ambassador for us and she’s the example of why research matters.
“For her to get up every single day and do what she does is incredible, if you know the journey she has gone through. She is my superhero.”
“To be able to give back to her so she can live her best life is such a thrill.”

Ever enthusiastic, and quietly humble, Georgia said that being gifted the truck hasn’t hit home yet.
“It was such a surreal day, like it was a “I was so overwhelmed by seeing the truck for the first time, I was quite a mess.
“It’s a new life for me, I’m hon oured to be able to spread the word about such an amazing foundation, it’s a family, they are so supportive and so set on making cancer history.
“I’m just really privileged to be a part of it.”

Speaking of her ‘rock star’ cell lines, Georgia is quick to acknowledge the medical researchers who use them.
“Something good has come out of something bad,” Georgia said.
“They’re still working really hard; I think they have had a few breakthroughs but they’re still consistently testing on my cells and finding new ways to eliminate cancer.
“When I was a baby, it was the radiation that did the most harm to my body, and they’ve eliminated the amount of radiation needed, using that just as a last resort instead of straight away.
“It’s truly something, and like I said I’m privileged to be a part of it. I’m just honoured.”
“I’m definitely not the worst off, there are so many people worse off than me, and to head to schools and see a smile, or have a kid ask a question, that makes my day.
“That’s what I’m there for and that’s what I love to do.

Donate to the Georgia Lowry Project today!

Georgia Lowry

Congrats, Georgia!

Published: June 1st, 2021

In April this year, our wonderful ambassador Georgia Lowry participated in a 3 Phase Event for Horses and Ponies held at the Murray Equestrian Centre just south of Pinjarra.

At this event, over 200 competitors competed over 3 phases – Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country (2.5kms with 20 jumps). Georgia competed with her pony Smee, a 13.2 hands welsh pony in the 65cm class. In a class of 24 male and female adult riders, Georgia and Smee finished in 8th place.

In the 80cm class, Georgia competed with her horse named Ticket to Ride (Beatle), a 15 hands horse. In this class, the pair finished in 11th place out of a total 31 male and female adult riders.

This is an incredible achievement for anyone, but especially someone who was only given a two per cent chance of survival after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia at eight weeks old.

“I am very happy with the results,” said Georgia, who kindly took the Foundation along for the ride with her. Georgia sported her CLCRF shirt and matching helmet, paired with one of CLCRF’s ladybug mascots.

We would like to thank Georgia for being such an extraordinary ambassador for childhood cancer research and we congratulate her on her incredible accomplishment!

If you would like to learn more about Georgia’s cancer battle and her love of riding, you can order a copy of her book, Growing Georgia. In this book, Georgia shares her darkest moments and her battle to overcome them, serving as a reminder to anyone fighting their own illnesses that they are not alone.

Local cancer survivor a real role model

Published: June 5th, 2019

If you set your eyes upon this pint-sized pocket rocket today, you could never comprehend the medical struggles she faced at such a young age. Georgia Lowry was born on June 3, 1994 at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco. A younger sister to Grace and a daughter to Ann Marie and Shaun, her birth was the perfect piece of the puzzle for the Mundijong family. However their lives were turned upside down just eight weeks later when Georgia became lethargic and pale.

Blood test results revealed the ugly truth – Georgia had a rare aggressive type of cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, of which less than two per cent of infantile patients survive.

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Rider diagnosed with leukaemia as a child credits her ponies for keeping her alive

Published: April 13th, 2019

Source: Horse & Hound 13 April, 2019 10:11

By Nicola Elson

An Australian rider whose acute leukaemia left her the size of a seven-year-old child credits her ponies for keeping her alive.

Georgia Lowry lives in a rural town just south of Perth, Western Australia. When she was nine weeks old she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, an incredibly rare strain of infantile leukaemia which only 2% of children survive.

Before her third birthday, Georgia had been subjected to two bone marrow transplants and several sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This intensive treatment at such a young age permanently stunted Georgia’s growth: at 24 she is 4’9” tall and weighs 4st 8lb.

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Georgia Shares Her Story with St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School

On 5 April our Ambassador, Georgia Lowry, was invited to speak to a group of roughly 180 Years 7 to 12 students from St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School. The theme for the term was ‘Gratitude’ and Georgia took the opportunity to share her story and her journey as ambassador of the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.).

Georgia was invited to speak by teacher, Mrs Louise Manson, who is a friend of Georgia and her mother, Ann-Marie Lowry. The students and staff are likely to hold fundraising activities to raise funds for the CLCRF during the term.

The response from the students and staff was outstanding as Mrs Manson sent a message to warmly thank Georgia.

“Thank you for coming to St Mary’s today and sharing your story. You spoke so well and have received numerous emails from both staff and students expressing how inspirational they found you and the beautiful manner you’ve conducted yourself.

“Never underestimate the positive impact you have on the lives of others. You had so many important messages for all of us.”

Well done Georgia for representing the CLCRF so well at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School. Also, thank you to St Mary’s Anglican School for raising funds for child cancer research.

Growing Georgia: An Inspiring Story

Georgia Lowry’s website is now live at www.georgialowry.com.au and you can purchase her inspiring book, ‘Growing Georgia’ now. All sales go towards funding child cancer research with Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) (CLCRF).

‘Growing Georgia’ is an inspirational story of survival told in Georgia’s own words about her experiences as a ‘miracle baby’ who defied the odds and survived a rare form of Leukaemia in the early years of her life. Georgia talks about the incredible people who have helped her along the way on her journey.

The Australian government provides less than one percent of funding towards children’s cancer research. By purchasing ‘Growing Georgia’ you will be helping thousands more children have the chance to live longer.

Georgia has come a long way, from being told not to expect to live, she is now a young woman who was recently nominated as Young Australian of the Year and is an Ambassador for the CLCRF.

It’s a story of triumph that you and your loved ones need to read. Order one to three books for the same price in postage. Order your copy and purchase some as gifts today!

Georgia Lowry speaks at the International Women’s Day Lunch

On 8 March or International Women’s Day, our ambassador, Georgia Lowry, spoke at the Westpac sponsored International Women’s Day Luncheon in Merredin. It was a wonderful time to celebrate and be inspired by the achievements of women.

Speakers included motivational speaker Tanya Dupagne, WA Business Woman of the Year 2015, Dr April Armstrong, and of course Georgia Lowry, who also is the Equestrian State Champion.

The three-course lunch with champagne at the Cummins Theatre in Merredin was abuzz with excitement as each speaker shared and inspired others to think, act and be gender inclusive with friends, colleagues and their communities.

Georgia was very proud to represent the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) at the lunch and she spoke about her experiences.

“I was amongst some major superstars and friends and was privileged to be a guest speaker,” said Georgia.

What a wonderful event and we are very proud of Georgia and her efforts to represent the Foundation, as well as support women everywhere.

Georgia Lowry has a Dream!

Our young ambassador, Georgia Lowry, came up with an exciting new idea to raise funds for child cancer research. As part of the ‘Million Dollar Project’, Georgia has a dream to travel all around Australia in a small van to speak and raise $1 million to fund a Young Scientist Fellowship Program with the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) (CLCRF).

The Young Scientist Fellowship Program aims to seek out young scientific fellows on an international level, who would be interested in working in the CLCRF Lab in the Telethon Kids Institute.  They will be mentored in their research career into child cancer. This fellowship will advance the legacy of research that Professor Ursula Kees and Dr Michael Willoughby set into place, moving the team closer to finding a cure and better treatment protocols for children.

To ‘fuel’ her dream, she needs the following things in place:

  • Firstly, she needs a small kombi van. So, if you or you know someone who is willing to donate a van in safe working condition, get in touch with the Foundation.
  • She will require a mechanic to help her fix the fan so it will travel around the country safely.
  • It needs to be fitted out with comfortable facilities and a bed so that she can live in it. So, let us know if you can help with this.
  • Someone who is willing to spray paint or graphic wrap the van with the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation Inc. logo.
  • Donations to help pay for her fuel and food.

With all these things in place, Georgia will then be able to travel around Australia and raise a million dollars for the project! Will you help her?

If you can help Georgia in any way, please give CLCRF a call on (08) 9363 7400 or email [email protected].

A Symphony of Love

Here’s a flashback to the past: this article was published on Monday 24 May 1999 in The West Australian when Georgia Lowry, was only 5 years of age!

Georgia was diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive form of leukaemia at just eight weeks old. Miraculously, Georgia is still with us at 22 years of age today and is a wonderful ambassador for CLCRF.

She’s photographed here laughing on top of a double bass with the German 66-piece Bosch Orchestra’s conductor, Ulrich Walddorfer. The concert was held on 24 May 1999 at the Perth Concert Hall to raise funds for Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation Inc. (CLCRF) and tickets went for a reasonable $15.

“I loved this photo shoot – I remember Georgia had everyone laughing,” said Andrea Alexander, Executive Officer of CLCRF, who was present at the photoshoot in 1999.

Since that time, Georgia Lowry, who is now 22, has gone from strength to strength as a CLCRF ambassador. She continues to passionately raise awareness of the need for greater funding for child cancer research.

It’s inspiring to remember the wonderful efforts of organisations like Bosch Orchestra to raise awareness and money for child cancer research!

If you’re inspired to hold an event to give to children with cancer, just start a fundraising page and share it with friends and family to raise money for CLCRF!

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