Lesley’s Walk – a walk to remember

Community, care and compassion have always been at the heart of nursing. Nurses strengthen our care teams, working alongside their fellow clinicians and supporting patients through some of life’s most difficult moments. On Saturday, 16 May that same spirit of unity will be felt along the Brisbane River at South Bank, as the perioperative nursing community gathers for Lesley’s Walk to honour the legacy of one of their own.

Proudly hosted by the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN), Lesley’s Walk celebrates the life and contributions of perioperative nurse Lesley Stewart while raising funds for cancer research through Icon Cancer Foundation, in recognition of the care Lesley received at Icon Cancer Centre South Brisbane.

For those taking part, each step is a tribute to Lesley’s compassion, ensuring her legacy of care continues to make a difference and helping bring hope to people living with cancer.

Lesley’s Walk – event information

“Lesley’s Walk reinforces what the nursing community does best – showing up for each other.”
– Dorcas Shih, ACORN Northern Territory Director

Walking for hope

For Lesley’s husband Ian and their children Tara, Erin and James this walk is a meaningful way to carry forward Lesley’s legacy with pride.

Ian and Tara reflect on the significance of having the perioperative nursing community by their side.

“It’s a great honour having this year’s ACORN conference walk in remembrance of Lesley,” Ian said. “She loved ACORN and formed many life-long friendships while participating in committees, workshops and conferences across Australia.”

Tara, who followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a nurse, adds, “Seeing Mum’s colleagues, friends, and the wider community walk in her memory is incredibly moving. It’s a beautiful reflection of the lives she touched and the nurses she guided at every stage of their careers”.

Lesley received treatment for T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, at Icon Cancer Centre South Brisbane. The care and compassion shown to Lesley and their family left a lasting impression on Ian, inspiring him to help others facing a similar experience.

“The support and dedication we received at Icon Cancer Centre during our journey was exceptional,” Ian said. “Your support and generosity can help Icon Cancer Foundation enable further research and develop treatments for people with blood cancers.”

Thank you to the Australian College of Perioperative Nursing (ACORN) for organising Lesley’s Walk to raise funds for vital cancer research at Icon Cancer Foundation.

Disclaimer: The statements and opinions presented in these articles are those of the individuals featured and may not represent the experiences of others. They do not constitute endorsements or necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Icon Cancer Foundation (ICF), Icon Cancer Centres, or their affiliates. This information is general and does not replace medical advice. ICF is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this information and does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, or reliability.