For Heidi Oliver, the upcoming Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay Marathon is a symbol to live life to the fullest following the loss of her 5-year-old son, Marcus, to a rare cancer last year.
On May 13, the 40-year-old Hastings mum and lawyer will walk the NZ Sotheby's RE Half Marathon in memory of her son, but also to raise awareness of the rare cancer and to help assist research towards a possible cure.
Marcus passed away on Christmas Day last year after a short battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and incurable paediatric brain cancer, after being diagnosed on June 26 last year - eight days after he turned 5.
"This came as a huge shock to us as Marcus had always been such a healthy child. From the day he was diagnosed to the day he passed away, every moment with Marcus was precious, to be enjoyed and treasured," Mrs Oliver said.
"DIPG is a rare, aggressive and incurable form of paediatric brain cancer that interferes with all bodily functions depriving the child of the ability to move, to communicate and even to eat or drink. It eventually interferes with their breathing and heart rate resulting in the child's death.