Innovative local cancer research starts with a cuppa
Cancer Council SA is encouraging people to take part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and raise funds for groundbreaking South Australian cancer research.
South Australians are encouraged to gather together friends, family or colleagues and host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this May or June.
With support from Biggest Morning Tea hosts, Cancer Council SA hopes to raise over $1.3 million to help reduce the rate and impact of cancer.
All the money raised will fund Cancer Council SA’s vital support services, prevention programs and life-saving cancer research.
This week, the organisation announced an investment of more than $250,000 investment into cancer research.
This new research funding will support three of the state’s best and brightest cancer researchers to understand how to better treat cancer and save lives.
Dr Carmela Ricciardelli from University of Adelaide is one of three recipients of a Cancer Council SA Project Grant. Her research aims to investigate a novel immunotherapy as a potential new treatment for ovarian cancer.
“In Australia, over 1500 women are diagnosed and approximately 1000 women die from ovarian cancer each year – one woman every eight hours,” Ricciardelli said.
“My ultimate aim is to make a difference and improve survival outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer.
“If successful, this new immunotherapy treatment will prevent disease relapse and be an effective treatment for ovarian cancer patients when chemotherapy fails.”
The other recipients of the project grants are Dr Greg Goodall from University of South Australia who is investigating ways to improve treatments for children with neuroblastoma, and Dr Marina Kochetkova from University of South Australia who is looking at tailored treatments for people with breast cancer.
Cancer Council SA chief executive Kerry Rowlands said events like Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea mean the organisation can ensure that every South Australian is supported during their cancer experience, while also funding vital research and prevention programs to save future lives.
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“Supporting cancer research is a key focus for Cancer Council SA because we know that research breakthroughs contribute to more people surviving their cancer diagnosis,” Rowlands said.
“On behalf of all South Australians impacted by cancer, thank you to every single person who has hosted or donated to a morning tea for helping us continue to work towards the next cancer breakthrough.”
The official day to host a Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday, 23 May, but South Australians can host their way anytime in May or June.
