Your impact.
Cancer Council SA is South Australia’s leading cancer charity working across every aspect of every cancer. Every day thanks to the ongoing support and generositty of the South Australia community, we work across prevention, support and research to reduce the rate and impact of cancer within our communtiy. it takes all of us to tackle cancer and, by joining the Ride for a reason pack, you're helping raise the vital funds that make all of our supports and services, possible.
Meet the people who count on your K's
Dr Madele vanDyk
Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project Early Career Fellowship from Flinders University
“With your support, we are able to fund the brightest research minds in the state—like Dr Madelé van Dyk from Flinders University who received a Cancer Council funded Beat Cancer Project Early Career Fellowship in January. Researchers like her are working every day to make new discoveries and find better ways to prevent and treat cancer.
“I’ve been privileged to work with a number of patients throughout my career. All of them are inspiring, but two patients, Ryan and Peter, had particular cases that scientifically stood out to me, and both were in their 30’s, fit and healthy with one having a young family. At the peak of their lives, Ryan and Peter received a life changing cancer diagnosis. Since those moments, my research interests and career were no longer just a job.
“I saw what both Peter and Ryan went through, the challenges they faced and thought that patients like them, and all patients, deserve better. It’s their stories, and the hope that we can do better, that motivates me every day.”
With your help through Ride for a reason, Dr van Dyk is working towards better treatments and improved survival.
“I believe that through this project, I can make a real difference to the future of cancer treatment. I thank everyone who has made this project possible and believe that together, with your support, we can fight cancer together.”
Dr Philip Gregory
Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project Principal Research fellow, UniSA
Breast and prostate cancer are among the most diagnosed cancers in women and men and are a significant health burden globally. Although advances in early detection of these diseases have improved survival rates, there are still no effective treatments once they progress to an aggressive disease where they spread (or metastasise) to other parts of the body. In order to find more optimal treatments, Dr Philip Gregory and his team aim to find a better understanding of what causes a tumour cell to gain aggressive properties and become resistant to current therapies. Thanks to your support, Dr Gregory can investigate new treatment strategies for breast and prostate cancer before they become aggressive and spread throughout the body.
“My grandfather passed away a few years ago from prostate cancer, and it was just at the time when I was focussing my research more into the disease. He had an aggressive form of prostate cancer and towards the end they were offering every treatment available but it wasn’t having an effect at all. It was hard seeing him go through that and it really motivated me to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Amanda Robertson
Support Services Coordinator
“No matter who you are or how cancer has affected you, Cancer Council’s free and confidential 13 11 20 service is here to help. And each year because of you, we can provide support and information to more than 5,000 South Australians.
My role as Support Services Coordinator at Cancer Council sees me work with and lead a team of qualified cancer nurses to best support people impacted by cancer.
Our experienced cancer nurses are available to answers any questions about cancer that you might have, to source the support services that are available to you, or to be an ear when you simply need someone to listen.
At 13 11 20, we understand the impact of a cancer diagnosis and want to be here to provide information and support to everyone on all cancer related issues.
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of people like you, we can keep our lines open and continue to be here for more Australians impacted by cancer. Thank you.”
Dr Tessa Gargett
Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project Early Career Fellow from the Centre for Cancer Biology
Current work shows that around 40 per cent of patients respond to immunotherapy. For some, their tumours disappear completely. But while these results are exciting, the majority of patients don’t respond, and we don’t yet know why. Funded through Cancer Council’s Beat Cancer Project, Dr Tessa Gargett’s team is investigating this problem and testing new kinds of immunotherapy, with the potential to work across all cancer types.
Through your generous support, Tessa and her team recently opened a Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and feasibility of CAR-T cells—a form of immunotherapy using genetically modified white blood cells harvested from a patient’s own blood—to treat advanced solid tumours, including small cell lung cancer, sarcomas and triple negative breast cancer.
“Hearing people’s stories makes me even more determined to do what I can to improve treatment options. Immunotherapy is a hugely exciting new era of cancer treatment and we want every patient to have the chance to benefit from these breakthroughs.”
Where the money goes
As South Australia’s leading cancer charity, working across every aspect of every cancer, we support families affected by cancer when they need it most, speak out on behalf of the community on cancer issues, empower people to reduce their cancer risk, and find new ways to better detect and treat cancer. Together, with your support, it’s all of us against cancer.
Find out more about the impact your K's can make
Research
Nationally, we fund more cancer research than any other non-government organisation in Australia. Here in South Australia, Cancer Council’s Beat Cancer Project has funded more than 200 South Australian research initiatives across a range of cancers. With your support, we will continue working towards the next cancer breakthrough.
Prevention
We know that preventing cancer is one of the most effective ways of creating a cancer free future. Through your support, we are able to develop programs that encourage and empower people to lead healthier lifestyles to help reduce their cancer risk.
Information and Support Services
We offer a range of support services to all South Australians affected by cancer when they need it most. Last year alone, we provided information and support to more than 5,000 South Australian families through Cancer Council 13 11 20. Through your support we will be able to offer this vital service for years to come.
Thank you from Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project Early Career's Fellow, Dr. Madelé Van Dyk.
