Tiffany Murray with her beautiful daughter Milla
So your horse lost at its last start, or you backed a beaten favourite, or life just sucks right?
Next time you want to complain or question the joy and condition of your existence spare a thought for Tiffany Murray.
Murray is a former concession driver, who put her career on hold 18 months ago when pregnant with her daughter, Milla.
Her partner, Leigh Sutton is a Victorian reinsmen.
In a story that is both upsetting and tragic, Murray’s tale is more than enough to put every aspect of life into perspective.
Admittedly, it is only fair to acknowledge life can get in the way at times, things can become overwhelming and it is disappointing when things don’t go according to plan.
That said, all of it truly falls into the realm of “Who cares, suck it up” when Murray’s situation is taken into account.
At just 22, Murray has suffered more than most would if they lived to 100 – a figure she is never likely to reach.
In fact, without the help of friends, family – and even more importantly, strangers – Murray won’t reach 23.
Murray has glioblastoma multiforme – or in layman’s terms – a brain tumour.
It is the third time Murray has had to battle cancer, with the latest round almost claiming her life a fortnight ago.
Unaware of her alarming health problem, Murray collapsed with a migraine, which led to her being taken to the Bendigo Hospital.
After discovering a blood clot and tumour had formed in her brain, doctors airlifted Murray to St Vincent’s, where she underwent surgery to remove the clot and most of the tumour.
“She was within half an hour of losing her life,” Sutton said.
“It just started with a bad headache and things went downhill so quickly.
“If we’d waited that fraction longer Tiffany wouldn’t be with us now.”
One of the immediate side-effects of the ordeal is a partial loss of vision, which is enough to break the heart of any mother with a young child – but not Murray.
“She can only see silhouettes at this stage, with no real definition of faces and so on,” Sutton revealed. “We are unsure how permanent it will be.
“I would have given up by now if I was going through what she has gone through all her life, but not her.
“She is mentally stronger than anyone I know.”
Murray’s hard slog in life began before she could walk or talk.
At an unbelievably tender age of one, Murray was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Although it was cut out, the cancer returned when Murray was eight.
With the next few years seeming to be going smoothly, Murray then lost her mother to cancer.
“Like I said, I would have given up long ago,” Sutton declared.
“Despite this, she is the same person she has always been.
“She’s had a tough life, but we want it to continue.”
The couple are due to marry in February, with Murray determined to enjoy her special day.
“My oncologist said the tumour is super aggressive, but I’m tough,” Murray said.
“When I think about what they will do without me, I realise dying is not an option.”
Now Murray faces another bout with cancer, one that will claim her life unless a risky operation is performed.
That in itself presents a massive problem, only one surgeon in Australia, Sydney-based Charles Teo, can perform the miracle – at a price.
Murray’s chance of survival will cost around $100,000, which she must raise within the next few months.
“We’ve been told the next two to three months will be fine, but it is so unpredictable,” Sutton said.
“No one knows how it will be. The tumour could liven tomorrow and take over.
“Charles Teo is the only one in Australia who will operate on the un-operable.”
Enter the harness racing industry.
In what can seem like a tired cliché – the sport’s community looks after its own.
That can never be taken on face value more than now.
Within hours of Murray’s ordeal filtering through the ranks last week, National Trotguide was inundated with calls from people wanting to help.
American import David James was the first to contact our office with a pledge, while also summing up the situation perfectly.
“Harness racing as a community is unique and we have to band together to help each other out, especially in these kinds of situations,” James declared.
Chief of Victorian-based stud, Empire Stallions, James has donated a service – including free return and freight charges – to exciting sire Rocknroll Hanover.
An earner of $2,754,038, with a best time of 1:48.3, the son of Western Hanover stands for $12,500 including GST.
In America, where he is fully booked, Rocknroll Hanover’s fee is $25,000.
“We are more than happy to offer this assistance and can only ask people out there who may be doing the bidding to please do so generously as it is for a tremendous cause,” James said.
“If we all do our bit, it gives Tiffany a fighting chance and our love and thoughts come along with our help.”
Alabar Bloodstock chimed in with a service to Grinfromeartoear.
One of the nation’s premier stallions, Grinfromeartoear needs no introduction as his record speaks for itself – with the likes of Mr Feelgood, Smiling Shard, Make Me Smile and Rocknrolla flying his flag.
Mr Big, an earner of $4.1million, is one of his American sons.
Grinfromeartoear stands for $5500 including GST.
Another sire which requires no building up is Skyvalley.
One of the most exciting prospects in the breeding barn, Skyvalley stands at Aldebaran Park for $3850 including GST.
A son of Muscles Yankee, Skyvalley won 24 of his 47 starts, with 13 placings and earnings of $322,675 also to his credit.
Skyvalley’s first foal arrived last weekend.
Gary Donaldson also came on board via Global Stallion Management.
Donaldson donated a service to exciting young stallion BG’s Folly, which stands at Mountain View Stud for $2500 including GST.
BG’s Folly captured the famed $500,000 New Jersey Classic in 1:49.2 as a three-year-old in 2010.
Away from the horses, SEW-Eurodrive has thrown in a game at Etihad Stadium for the 2012 AFL season into the mix.
SEW-Eurodrive’s Rob Merola pledged the company's corporate suite for 14 people, including full catering package (no spirits), two car parks and entry to a game of the successful bidders choice.
A must for AFL fans, the night is valued at over $5500.
Lombo Standardbreds, owned by Mick and Freda Lombardo, has given a substantial donation.
With plans of a dinner/auction fundraising evening also in the pipeline, Vic Fenech from Warehouse sales has donated a 23-inch LCD television to be auctioned.
Tabcorp has generously supplied $1000 worth of betting vouchers for the night.
One benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, also provided goods from his company.
Astute trainer Anthony Crossland and Buriton Bailey’s owners announced they would donate all of the pacer’s winnings ahead of last Sunday’s Bendigo meeting.
The son of Tinted Cloud finished second.
“The response has been huge,” Sutton said. “I cannot begin to express how this has made us feel.
“To think all these people have called National Trotguiide wanting to help is amazing.
“You can’t put it into words what they are giving to us.
“They are our Angels and we cannot thank them enough.”
Clink on the following link; http://www.harness.org.au/news/uploads/tender%20form.pdf to secure a tender form and show your support for Tiffany today.
