who we are
The Eli Chatfield Foundation was created in memory of Eli Chatfield, a much-loved son, brother, and friend who passed away from brain cancer at just 14 years old. His journey inspired us to turn heartbreak into hope by supporting other families facing the unimaginable and working to make the path easier for those who come after.
our story
The Eli Chatfield Foundation exists to ease the burden of childhood brain cancer on children and their families. We work to raise vital funds for research, provide practical and emotional support, and ensure families never feel alone on this journey. Our goal is to create hope, connection, and lasting change for those affected, while keeping Eli’s memory alive through every step of our work.
our purpose
about eli
Eli Chatfield was born on 19 July 2005, a much-loved son, brother, and friend. From the very beginning, he spent his time trying to catch up to his big brother, Tremayne, who was his hero and best mate. Eli had a zest for life — he loved animals, especially his loyal dog Beau, and he was never far from his amazing group of friends.
Eli’s greatest passion was footy. He was proud to play junior rugby league for the Batemans Bay Tigers and cheered on his favourite teams — the Wests Tigers in the NRL and the Richmond Tigers in the AFL. Sport came naturally to him; he was smart, athletic, and seemed to excel at everything he put his mind to. But what made Eli truly unforgettable was his character: he was kind, funny, fiercely loyal, charismatic, and well-mannered. Everyone who knew him was drawn to his bright spirit.
In 2017, when Eli was just 11 years old, he began to feel unwell in the mornings. What seemed like a small and innocent symptom turned out to be something no family could ever expect — an aggressive brain tumour called medulloblastoma. In May 2017, Eli was diagnosed, and doctors discovered the cancer had already spread through his cerebrospinal fluid and down his spinal cord.
Eli faced the next three years with extraordinary courage. He underwent a seven-hour brain surgery to resect the tumour, followed by 30 rounds of full brain and spine radiation and seven cycles of chemotherapy. Against the odds, he went into remission, and for a time there was hope.
But in September 2019, the cancer returned. This time it was even more aggressive, spreading into his bones, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and eventually his organs. Despite the devastating diagnosis, Eli continued to show remarkable strength and resilience.
On 13 April 2020, at just 14 years old, Eli passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family. Though his life was far too short, Eli’s story, his love of life, and the way he touched those around him will never be forgotten.
The Eli Chatfield Foundation was created in his honour — to carry forward his legacy of kindness, courage, and loyalty, and to fight for children and families who face the unimaginable.
our work
Through fundraising, we support both families living with the reality of childhood brain cancer and the vital research needed to find better treatments and outcomes. Our work focuses on three key areas: providing practical resources and support for families, raising awareness to ensure these children and their stories are never forgotten, and funding research that brings hope for the future.
our vision
We envision a future where no family faces childhood brain cancer alone, where every child has access to the best possible care, and where research leads to kinder, more effective treatments. Guided by Eli’s legacy, we strive to bring hope, strength, and lasting change to families and communities impacted by this devastating disease.