2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian Frazer was the guest of honour at a special function in Hobart to raise funds for cancer research.
Professor Frazer, who developed a vaccine with the potential to eradicate cervical cancer within a decade, attended the ‘Hobart Cancerians‘ Cocktail Party at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
He was joined by Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine and a host of long time supporters of the ‘Hobart Cancerians Committee‘, including Jeannie Taranto, Pamela Archer and Gillian Groom. The dedicated Committee has been raising funds for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) since its inception in 1984.
The founder and leader of the University of Queensland’s Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, Professor Frazer provided a special insight into his 20 year cervical cancer research project. The vaccine has been proven to prevent infection and reduces pap smear abnormalities by 90 per cent.
“We are very privileged to have had Professor Frazer as our guest of honour,” said Hobart Cancerians Committee member Jeannie Taranto. “His preventive vaccine, which is expected to be on the market by the end of the year, will revolutionise women’s health in Australia and across the globe.”
After the Cocktail Party, former Tasmanian Premier Ray Groom and his wife Gillian hosted a small, private dinner for Professor Frazer.
The following week, the Hobart Cancerians continue in their fundraising efforts hosting ‘Drinks at Parliament House’.
Fantastic prizes will be up for grabs on the evening, including tickets to the award-winning Broadway musical ‘The Lion King’ at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.
ACRF Acting Chief Executive, Suzie Graham, praised the efforts of the Hobart Cancerians, adding that the ACRF relies on tax-deductible donations from the community, corporations and individuals to help them in their search for a cure.
“We receive no government assistance, and this is why the fundraising efforts of our Cancerians Committees are so vitally important,” said Mrs Graham.
The ACRF’s ‘Cancerians Committees’ organise events in their local community and provide fundraising support to help find a cure for cancer. Over the past 10 years, the total contribution from Cancerians to Australian cancer research has been over $1 million. Cancerians Committees are active in Hobart, Launceston, Bexley, Canberra, Ballina, Kempsey and Melbourne.
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation this year will award cancer research grants of more than $10 million. Professor Frazer has recently been appointed to the Medical Research Advisory Committee of the Foundation.
Related Posts
