South Aussies having a cuppa to fund life-saving cancer research

Cancer Council SA is encouraging South Aussies to gather their friends, family or colleagues to host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this May or June and fund groundbreaking South Australian cancer research.

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 for all South Australians.

All the money raised will fund Cancer Council SA’s vital support services, prevention programs, and life-saving cancer research – like the more than $250,000 investment into South Australian cancer research announced today.

This new research funding will support three of South Australia’s best and brightest cancer researchers to understand how we can 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 1,500 women are diagnosed and approximately 1,000 women die from ovarian cancer each year – one woman every eight hours,” she said.

“My ultimate aim is to make a difference and improve survival outcome 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, “Through events like Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, we are able to ensure that every South Australian is supported, across every stage of their cancer experience, while also funding vital research and prevention programs to save future lives.”

“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.”

“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.

Register to host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea or donate to www.biggestmorningtea.com.au