Friends of the Foundation
Lee Hobbins: Playing The Fundraising Game
For Lee Hobbins, the past five years have been a delicate balance of managing his health while finding ways to give back to the community. A nurse by profession and a patient with metastatic cancer, Lee's journey is one of resilience, empathy, and a determination to turn personal hardship into something positive.
Lee’s health battle is ongoing. "I'm not a cancer survivor, but I am continuing to survive," he reflects. His journey has included multiple rounds of radiation therapy, the removal of a kidney, and half of his thyroid. While immunotherapy worked for a time, he is now in a phase where cancerous spots are treated as they appear. Despite the challenges, Lee has managed to return to work at St Andrew’s, working a few shifts a week in the catheter lab, drawing on his extensive experience in intensive care nursing.
Finding Solace in a Game
When Lee was first diagnosed with metastatic cancer, he sought solace in a hobby—playing Blood Bowl, a fantasy board game that allowed him to escape the weight of his diagnosis. It was a way to meet new people and immerse himself in a supportive gaming community. But as his health journey continued, Lee realised he could turn this passion into something more meaningful.
Turning a Passion into Purpose
“Last year, while going through radiation therapy, I didn’t want cancer to define everything. I wanted to accomplish something beyond it,” Lee recalls. His resolve led him to organise a Blood Bowl tournament as a fundraiser for the PA Foundation, a cause close to his heart after spending so much time at the hospital. The event was a success, raising $800 in its first year. This year, the tournament sold out within a week, drawing 22 participants and raising $1,200.
“When you're going through a crisis, it's easy to feel alone,” says Lee. “But I’m always thinking about others—there’s always someone worse off. I wanted a moral victory over what was happening to me. I wanted to take some control.” Organising the tournament gave him that sense of control, as well as the opportunity to connect with others.
Support from the Community
In addition to the PA Foundation, Comics Plus in Annerley—owned by a fellow cancer survivor—played a key role in supporting the event. "They helped build my confidence," Lee says. Despite not being someone who would typically share his personal health struggles, running the fundraiser gave him the platform to open up and come to terms with his situation. "It’s been like therapy in itself," he admits. "The support and kindness from people have been amazing."
Lee hopes the tournament continues to grow and becomes a legacy beyond his involvement. “It’s been wonderful to watch the community come together,” he says, reflecting on the many strangers who have connected with his story. “We’ve created something great, and I hope someone carries it on if I can’t.”
Friends of the Foundation
Through his involvement with the PA Foundation, Lee has not only helped raise funds but has built lasting friendships. “The Foundation has been brilliant—always supportive, friendly, approachable. I always pop in for a coffee and a chat. We’ve truly become friends.”
Lee's story is one of strength, generosity, and hope. By turning a deeply personal struggle into a force for good, he has found a way to create a positive impact on others’ lives, even as he continues his own fight.
