By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A former Yarra Junction resident recently ran 2000km from Melbourne to Brisbane to raise funds and support research for pancreatic cancer.
Actor and executive producer of the upcoming film ‘Kennedy’ Kieren Devisser spent his childhood and most of his adolescence life in the Upper Yarra, where he once worked at the Levantine Hill Estate’s cellar door, owned by Dr Elias Jreissati AM – a pancreatic cancer survivor who has been instrumental in the fight against the disease and who’s also used his wealth to establish the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre (JPC) at Epworth Hospital.
He said while he has had loved ones with cancer, his personal experience with pancreatic cancer comes from witnessing the journey of a former employer whom he greatly admires.
Mr Devisser initially aimed to raise $100,000 but combined with the Viridian Foundation’s annual step challenge, the entire event raised nearly $277,000 and the fund directly goes towards the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne.
The funds raised will be used to create a national screening program aimed at the early detection of pancreatic cancer, which is notoriously difficult to identify early – this initiative has the potential to make a crucial difference in diagnosing the disease sooner and saving lives.
The Fleet-footed athlete said he came up with the idea for the run just 10 weeks prior to starting his long journey to Brisbane.
“At that point, I could barely run 10 kilometres, so committing to something this massive was a huge leap of faith, that’s why I ended up with such serious injuries early on,” Mr Devisser said.
“I was advised by experts it was impossible to run that distance with so little training in such a short time – but here’s my two cents, nothing is impossible if it is possible to you.”
His motivation to complete the run stemmed from the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in someone he deeply admires.
“As I delved into the disease and his story, uncovering the challenges faced by his family, I felt increasingly driven to take action – it was heartbreaking to see the immense struggles that Australians endure and the pain their families go through,” he said.
“With everything else going on in the world, pancreatic cancer shouldn’t be another burden we have to bear.”
The young athlete said his journey from Melbourne to Brisbane was probably the most difficult yet remarkable experience of his life, thus far.
“The highlight, without a doubt, was connecting with hundreds of Whipple warriors and current pancreatic cancer patients across Australia,” he said.
“Listening to their inspiring stories, hearing how my journey was giving them a moment of relief and a glimmer of hope amidst their battles, was extremely moving – no matter how jacked up I was, or how bad my mood was, every time I received a message from them, I’d suddenly be sprinting down the road with a big smile on my face.”
“Their resilience inspired me every day to keep pushing forward, no matter how much pain I was in.”
The toughest moment occurred on the ninth day.
“I woke up and couldn’t walk,” Mr Devisser said.
“As soon as I touched the ground, my legs gave out from the unbearable pain, unlike anything I’d ever felt before, the day before, a physiotherapist had diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, drop foot, and shin splints, still, I had 60 kilometres to complete that day and another 1400 kilometres remaining.”
After sharing a photo of his swollen foot on social media, he was inundated with messages from friends, strangers, and respected medical professionals, all advising him to stop.
“They warned me that I was risking serious long-term health issues and I had a decision to make,” he said.
“Should I quit and get the medical attention I so desperately needed, or should I push on and honour the commitment I made to myself? Despite the doubts from everyone around me and my body’s persistent signals to stop, I felt deep down that I could keep going.”
The determined runner described it as the hardest decision of his life – each agonising step brought him to tears, leading to police checking in on him.
“In the end, I trusted what I knew to be true in my heart, I was confident I could reach Brisbane, so I tuned out the distractions, turned off my phone, and continued pressing on,” Mr Devisser said.
During his run, Mr Devisser was also promoting his upcoming Australian blockbuster, Kennedy.
The film tells the story of Sergeant Michael Kennedy, who was slain by Ned Kelly and his gang in 1878, and his wife, Bridget Kennedy, presented in a ‘Titanic’-like style, the film focuses on their love story and has generated significant buzz, with a multi-award-winning script and interest from leading Australian actors eager to be involved.
Doing the right thing often requires more courage than doing what you love, but it is the former that leads to true fulfillment and integrity.
“I hate running, it’s not something I enjoy at all,” he said.
“People assume I must love running because of the extreme challenge I’ve taken on, but that’s not true – I’ve only run occasionally to stay fit and test my physical limits because I care about my health, it’s never been a passion of mine – just something I’ve done out of necessity.”
The inspiring athlete said exercise is not just about physical strength, it’s a powerful tool for nurturing mental well-being and resilience.
“Mental health is no joke, my biggest piece of advice for anyone struggling is to remember that you are in control, we live in a society that often pushes the narrative that we aren’t, which leaves people feeling lost, caught up in the noise and unable to take a moment to reflect on what’s truly causing them to feel that way,” he said.
“Take a step back, block out the noise, and focus on what’s really going on.”
“You have the power to take charge of your life, prioritise your nutrition, spend time in nature, and stay active daily, limit your time on social media and technology. Embrace life, explore your passions, and find your purpose. By following these steps and committing to them, you’ll see a remarkable transformation in just six months.”
“The changes will be felt physically, mentally, and emotionally. It all starts with taking that first step and staying dedicated to the process.”
He has other fundraising and awareness initiatives in mind, but for the time being, he will focus on his film, ‘Kennedy’.
