Steven Walter
21-05-1981 to 26-07-2000
“So that one day no other kid will have to go through what I’ve been through”
Steven Walter was passionate about many things in life; family, friends, motorbikes and raising money to cure childhood cancer – “So that one day no other kid will have to go through what I’ve been through”.
Steven was only nineteen years old when he died after his heroic eight-year fight against cancer in the year 2000.
Steve was diagnosed with cancer in his right leg at 11 years of age. He fought bravely through chemotherapy and the removal of a major bone in his leg. Anytime you asked Steve how he was feeling he always answered “I’m okay”. He never complained about how he felt; nothing was ever too hard. All Steve ever wanted was to live a normal life and to ride his bike.
Steven Walter and Motorcycling
Steven Walters’ motorbike career started at Sutherland PCYC Mini Bike Club and continued with Oyster Bay Motorcycle Club. Steve’s dad Phil Walter was his biggest fan and supported him at all his events. Steve made many friends through his involvement with motorbikes – he loved the camaraderie that came with riding and competing. Many of these mates and their families are now involved in The Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation and The Snowy Ride.
At age 16, Steven Walter entered the Australian Four Day Enduro, finishing the event in silver medal position – an awesome achievement for a young man still on his “L” plates! Following the event he trailered his bike home and returned to Sydney Children’s Hospital to continue treatment.
By age 18 the cancer had returned, this time to his hip and spine. Doctors said his bones were too brittle to ride dirt bikes – but they didn’t say anything about road bikes! Steve bought a Honda CBR600 and rode to Melbourne, ferried the bike across Bass Strait and toured around Tasmania for six days before riding home to Sydney.
Although still only a teenager when he died, Steve had made a huge impact on so many people. He was a guy that would never shirk his responsibilities, he would never just stand back and watch, he had to be a participant and it showed in what he was able to achieve in his short life.
The Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation – Steve’s Legacy
It is because of this extraordinary young man’s determination, his passion for life and love of motorbikes that his family, friends and others have gone on to create The Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation. The Foundation is determined to fulfill Steve’s final wish to raise money for research into childhood cancer “so that one day no other kid will have to go through what I’ve been through”.
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The Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation has raised over 9 million dollars for childhood cancer research.
If you’d like to make a contribution and help us achieve Steve’s final wish, donations made to the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation are tax deductible.
