Mitchell Prendergast was diagnosed with brain cancer after suffering a seizure while swimming which lead to the discovery of a lesion on Christmas Eve, 2012.

Now his family and friends are throwing their support behind brain cancer research at the Walk4BrainCancer event in Melbourne on Sunday after hosting past events in Ballarat.

Mother Emilie Prendergast said the Ballarat group travelling to Melbourne was not only participating in the event for Mitchell, but for all of those who had been diagnosed with brain cancer. 

“We are very grateful to those who couldn't join us and donated instead,” Ms Prendergast said.

“It's been unfortunate we couldn't walk in Ballarat this year, but there were just too many community events on every weekend and we didn't want to take away from other worthy fundraisers.”

Nearly five years on from his diagnosis, Ms Prendergast said Mitchell was going well and had a fantastic team of carers behind him, while retaining an amazing sense of positivity.

“Through months of not walking, slurred speech, rehab, surgeries, doctors visits, follow up testing and then having a stroke three years ago he just gets on with life,” Ms Prendergast said.

“He wants to be treated normally and it’s a credit to his friends who have been very accepting and supportive of the changes he has undergone.

“It’s a sudden ripple of life change for all of us but Mitch is managing to tick off more boxes and goals each year.”

Family members and friends will be walking together for Mitchell on Sunday, November 19, starting at 9.30am from South Beach Reserve, and welcomed others to join them.

If people are not able to walk on the day, a donation page will be open for 12 months. 

“We don't care how small the donation is, it all adds up,” Ms Prendergast said.

“We would really love people to get behind this cause if they are able, we want to make a change.”

To register or donate head to walk4braincancer.com.au, click on Victorian walks, then Melbourne walk and sponsor Emilie Prendergast walk and talk for brain cancer.