Zenon’s bottle drive brings hope to families facing cancer

At just 8 years old, Zenon Hack knows he cannot make cancer disappear – but he has discovered there is something he can do to make life a little easier for families going through it.

The Sunshine Coast youngster has turned weekends and school holidays into a remarkable can and bottle drive which has already raised more than $2,116 for two families facing heartbreaking circumstances.

Zenon began collecting eligible containers after his older brother Kyle’s partner, Chloe, was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer.

Chloe is undergoing the demanding “Red Devil” stage of chemotherapy and is scheduled for surgery in early December.

Wanting to help Kyle, Chloe and their three boys, Zenon began collecting cans and bottles from around the Sunshine Coast and taking them to Containers for Change at Nambour.

His goal was to ease some of the pressure of everyday bills and expenses while Chloe undergoes treatment – and help make Christmas special for the children.

But Zenon’s mission has since grown.

After learning of another family within his school community whose mother is receiving palliative care, he decided he also wanted to help her three children, aged 7, 10 and 12.

His mum Cassie Hack said the most moving part had been watching her son realise that small actions could make a difference.

“For us, the beautiful part of the story isn’t only the money,” Cassie said.

“It’s watching an 8-year-old realise that even though he can’t take cancer away, he can still do something to make another person’s life a little easier.”

Community support has steadily grown, with residents leaving bags of containers for Zenon to collect, sporting clubs pitching in and strangers supporting his efforts.

Zenon now hopes to raise enough to give the children from both families “beautiful Christmas presents and some happy memories during an incredibly difficult time”.

• Anyone wanting to support Zenon’s can and bottle drive can contact Cassie Hack on 0418 166 106. Zenon also has a Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EYG6Wpxqa/

Zenon has already raised more than $2,116 for two families facing heartbreaking circumstances.