Why we do the Long Run: Hazel’s courageous fight and why we’re running for families just like hers

Hazel Sheriff is just ten years old.  

She’s got a cheeky grin, a sharp mind, and a quiet kind of courage that’s hard to put into words. 

She’s one of the reasons we’re doing the Long Run next year – our annual fundraiser supporting families like hers, facing the unimaginable.  

In May, Hazel was diagnosed with leukaemia. 

She’s approaching it with an outlook one could only describe as beyond inspiring, an incredible sense of gratitude and a maturity far beyond her years.  

Hazel’s story isn’t just about illness. It’s a story about resilience, love, and the kind of strength that shows up when life gets turned upside down. 

She’s currently in interim maintenance phase of chemotherapy to treat her acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 

“This will be the most I’ll stay in hospital because I’m going to be in for five days at a time, then I’ll go home, then come back in for five days again because I’m on fluids all the time. 

“This is pretty harsh chemo, but I’m getting through it ok. I’ve had one week already, it’s not fun,” Hazel says as her innocent, youthful eyes peek out from under her maroon beanie.  

As quickly as anything, her mood turns from sombre, to reflective. 

“But I'm just glad that I can actually go home, some kids can't even go home. Some kids live in different cities.” 

Facing the biggest battle of her life, fighting with everything she has, Hazel still finds the energy to have perspective and show compassion – a skill not many will ever master, let alone at 10 years of age.  

Her dad Adil says she’s been showing up with courage and care from day one of her diagnosis. 

“She’s always been pretty tough. Even when she first got the diagnosis, the way she reacted was crazy impressive, she just took it in her stride.” 

Hazel’s step-mum Stacy agrees.  

“She’s always been quite high on empathy. When she was diagnosed, she was more worried about how it was affecting everyone else than herself. She’s had some big challenges, but she works through them and comes out the other side stronger.” 

The family still remembers the surreal timing of it all. Hazel’s birthday was just days before her diagnosis. They were planning a party at Timezone, but Hazel was already in pain.  

“We convinced her to do a buffet instead,” says Stacy.  

“All her friends came, we got balloons, and she had an awesome time. We knew what was coming, but she was still celebrating like nothing had happened.” 

That moment of joy before the storm was a deliberate choice.  

“As parents, we were thinking – she’s got cancer, should we really be doing this?” says Adil. 

“But we made the call. If she’s about to go through treatment, let’s give her some fun first. 

“And then on Monday we had to break her heart and break our hearts and deal with all of that.” 

Since then, life has changed. Adil took time off work to be with Hazel full-time.  

“I told her, we’re going to be best friends at the end of this. She looked at me and said, ‘Dad, you’re already my best friend.’” 

The family lives just 20 minutes from Christchurch Hospital, and they know how lucky that makes them.  

“There are families who have to travel hours for treatment, we’re grateful we’re so close,” says Stacy. 

They’re also grateful for the support they’ve received from the Child Cancer Foundation. 

“It’s insane the amount of support you get from an organisation like this and what they do from providing groceries to covering some petrol, covering your power bill and getting your parking,” says Adil.  

“But it doesn’t stop there. The other day they ran an event just for dads. They offer counselling support which, no matter how tough you are, you’re going to need some support. You build a community. 

“To have those moments when things are really tough, it changes your outlook, it gives you the mindset to keep going,” says Adil. 

Hazel’s perspective on life given what she’s going through is hard to fathom. What’s even harder to fathom is Hazel’s story is one of many.  

She’s one of 200 Tamariki who get diagnosed with cancer every year in New Zealand, that’s four children every week.  

She’s been personally invited to join us at the Long Run at a special visit by Tamaiti Williams and Team Manager Aaron ‘Webby’ Webb. 

Hazel’s already planning how she’ll rally the team: “I’ll get all of them, every single one that’s there,” she says confidently.  

And she’s got a plan for her newly gifted jersey too – turning it into a walking autograph book. “I’ll be at the front and be like, ‘Please sign my jersey!’” 

Hazel’s honesty, humour and heart are what make her so special.  

She’s already part of the Crusaders whānau, and we can’t wait to walk alongside her at the Long Run next year to raise much needed funds for the Child Cancer Foundation.  

“I’m definitely coming, as long as I’m good,” she says. We know she will be. 

Behind every kilometre and every dollar raised, there’s a kid like Hazel, and a family doing everything they can to keep going. 

Come and join us on January 23, to make a difference to the lives of people like Hazel.