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The Geelong community will unite on Saturday for a day of sporting fun and asthma awareness during the Zoe Kennedy Tribute Match. Jena Carr speaks with Lach Kennedy about the event, which honours the life of his daughter Zoe.
Zoe Kennedy’s journey through life ended abruptly at just 13 following an asthma attack in 2020.
Zoe’s dad Lach remembers that harrowing night all too well.
“Zoe was born with eczema, and they say eczema and asthma are related. So, from an early age she suffered from asthma and was in and out of hospital,” Lach said.
“She took her preventatives as needed, but she died tragically from a sudden asthma attack just over five years ago on July 19 (2020).
“She was actually in quite good health at the time. She hadn’t had a lot of asthma, but this was a winter night; it was cold, and it happened very quickly.
“By the time she told me she had asthma and by the time we were in the car and got to the hospital, she had passed out.
“She got to hospital within 10 minutes of having the episode, but when you’ve got asthma; you lose oxygen to your brain, and unfortunately that is what happened, and she passed.”
Zoe left behind a legacy of laughter, fun and care. Lach said she was also an “amazing big sister” to Maggie and Ned.
“Since she has passed, I couldn’t tell how many people have reached out to me and shared their story through loss or through how it’s affected their life,” he said.
“Everyone’s got their own tragedies in life, and I’m not saying this is any different to anyone else’s, but I’ve taken it as a way to remember who she was and how good she was.
“One of the cruel things about asthma is that you can’t see it… My advice to parents is to make sure you’re on top of your asthma plan, that you visit your doctor and update it (asthma plan) yearly.
“Zoe might not have got married, had children, or travelled the world. So, you can’t worry about what could have happened because it might not have happened; enjoy what you had.
“Otherwise, you get stuck in a whirlwind of what could have been, and the harsh reality is that you cannot enjoy what could have been because she’s gone now.
“I think she’d be looking down and happy to know that she’s making a difference in people’s lives. I know in my heart that she would want us to be happy, and this also helps keep her legacy alive.”
Zoe was known for her love of sport, particularly netball, and her kind and caring nature that was well beyond her years.
“Every day is a battle, but I know in my heart that Zoe would want us to be happy. She was that kind of kid who loved and cared for everyone else,” Lach said.
“I’m so proud of the person she was, what she brought to life, and how she lived… She was probably on a pretty good path for netball.
“She loved playing with her mates and that camaraderie. She was very competitive, which may come from me. She loved to win, but she also loved to play fairly.
“She was great at netball, and in the last game she played, which might have been the grand final of the Under 13s for Newtown, she got best on the ground, and they won the premiership.
“A funny story I have is that she wanted a birthday party, so I asked her to generate an invitation list. I was expecting 20 or 30 people, but she returned with 50 to 100 names.
“She was very emotionally intelligent and in touch with everyone else’s emotions as well as her own… Just a kid who everyone loved, and a beautiful person loved by family and friends.”
To honour Zoe’s life and memory, The Zoe Kennedy Foundation was founded by her family and construction company Figurehead Group to help improve the lives of young people with asthma.
The Foundation has raised more than $500,000 over five years to support asthma education programs, healthcare solutions and research projects through community events such as the Zoe Kennedy Tribute Match.
The tribute match will bring together Bell Park Dragons and Newtown & Chilwell Eagles Football Netball clubs at Hamlyn Oval in Hamlyn Heights on Saturday, July 5.
Zoe played netball for Newtown & Chilwell and Lach footy for Bell Park. Zoe’s sister Maggie also plays for the Eagles and brother Ned for the Dragons.
Lach said the event was now in its fourth year and offered the community a full day of fun while raising awareness and funds for asthma.
“This match shows just how strong the Geelong community is when it comes to looking after our own and raising awareness that can literally save lives,” he said.
“The tribute match is a day to honour her memory but also a day to make a real difference. Zoe wouldn’t want any young person with asthma to miss out on the sport they love.
“It’s two clubs getting together who were a big part of her life. She watched me play footy throughout my career and knew everyone at Bell Park while she played netball for Newtown.
“It’s also about people checking in and hopefully it motivates them to manage their asthma and remind them about what needs to be done to make sure it’s you’re on top of your asthma.”
Everyone attending Zoe’s tribute match is encouraged to wear purple and buy limited-edition merchandise that is only available on the day.
Visit zoekennedy.com.au for more information about the foundation and the tribute match.
