The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove thank ACRF supporters Posted on April 21, 2016February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Canberra Cancerians Committee is one of the most successful fundraising groups for cancer research in Australia. To date, they have raised more than $3.2 million for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Over the years, they have earned a reputation for staging some of the most sought after and glamorous events on the Canberra social calendar, which includes their prestigious annual Gala Dinner. The ACRF is very grateful for the efforts of this incredible group of volunteer fundraisers. Last week the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception to recognise the efforts of this committee and thank them for their generous contributions to cancer research over the years. Below you will find his speech. “On behalf of Lynne and I, I welcome you to Government House. Everyone here knows what a terrible disease cancer is. It kills nearly 50,000 Australians every year. And we all know someone, a relative or friend, whose life has been deeply affected by it. What we need to do is beat this disease. We often hear the phrase ‘imagine a world without cancer’. Well, wouldn’t that be a great thing? But imagination only goes so far. A world without cancer can be achieved but it will be achieved through research: world-class research that helps us to better prevent and diagnose cancers and develop new treatments and cures. This is what will beat cancer. This is what will save lives. This is what drove the ACRF’s founders, Sonia McMahon and Sir Peter Abeles, and it is what lies at the very heart of your work and the work of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Today is about recognising the Canberra Cancerians and the foundation they support. It is about saying thank you. Thank you for the $121 million in grants provided by the ACRF to hospitals, universities and researchers across Australia. Thank you for helping researchers at the University of Queensland find new ways to detect lung cancer before it gets a chance to spread. Thank you for supporting the John Curtin School of Medical Research to see if our native plants may hold the answers to new cures and treatments. I could go on and on, but in short it will suffice to say that thanks to supporters like you, the foundation has transformed the scale and scope of cancer research in this country. So take a moment to be proud of yourselves and all that you do—because what you do is remarkable, it is making a difference and it is appreciated by so many. You are giving back, you are saving lives and you are part of a wonderful community and a wonderful foundation that is tackling cancer—head on. And as tough as cancer may be, we’ll beat it, you’ll beat it—because not even cancer is a match for the spirit and determination I see in this room.”- His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)
ACRF Canberra supporters tour the John Curtin School of Medical Research Posted on May 22, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Last week our valued supporters in Canberra attended an afternoon tour of the esteemed John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR). Our 27 guests were treated to a lovely afternoon tea, where they heard from respected ACRF board member, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC (ret’d) as well as head of the Cancer and Vascular Biology Group, at JCSMR, and 2014 Canberra Citizen of the Year, Professor Chris Parish. Our supporters were then split into two groups and taken on a tour around the John Curtin School of Medical Research. Continue reading “ACRF Canberra supporters tour the John Curtin School of Medical Research”
ACRF research grant recipient awarded medal for excellence – Professor Chris Goodnow Posted on November 5, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) congratulates Professor Chris Goodnow on his award, announced on 4 November 2010, of the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research. Professor Goodnow receives this award for his recent work on understanding the immune system and the way in which it wards off bacteria and viruses without attacking the body’s own tissues and organs. This discovery will allow more effective drug treatment to be created for many conditions, including cancer. Chris and his team at the John Curtin School of Medical Research in Canberra have now received two grants from the ACRF. The most recent, a $1.13 million researh grant in late 2004 to develop the ACRF Biomolecular Resource Facility for investigating the molecular aspects of cancer biology and provide researchers with access to new technologies. Continue reading “ACRF research grant recipient awarded medal for excellence – Professor Chris Goodnow”
