Ruth Robinson, Regular Giver of the Month Posted on November 17, 2015March 13, 2018 by Carly du Toit “My dear friend and colleague, Andrew “Sid” Sidoli had fair skin and freckles. While he loved surfing, he always tried to look after his skin by putting on sunscreen and a shirt or wetsuit but it still wasn’t enough in the end. He was on holidays with his sister, Rebecca, when she noticed an abnormality on his back and told him he needed to get it checked. The lesion turned out to be melanoma. But from the day of his diagnosis Andrew fought it with everything he had and remained optimistic. One day when I saw him in the corridor at work he told me ‘I’ve been given a 10% chance of survival, and while I have a 10% chance, I have hope.’ Sid was larger than life, he always had a cheeky smile on his face and everyone at work loved and respected him. He made time for everyone and was really supportive when my Mum passed away. He encouraged me, and I think most people in his life, to get our skin checked regularly. He later became bedridden when the melanoma spread to his lungs and brain. His doctor, the well-known, Charlie Teo did everything he could for him, but at just 40 years old my beautiful friend sadly lost his battle. Unfortunately, Sid was amongst many of my work colleagues who had been affected by various cancer types over the years. I believe the only way we will fight this dreaded disease is through research, which is why I choose to support the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. I used to donate whenever I had spare money, which was about twice a year, but not long after Sid passed I signed up to be a regular giver. I realised that if I donated on a monthly basis it would help researcher’s fast track discoveries and ultimately save more lives. I donate just over $1 a day each month so it barely affects my daily budget. I have seen how advancements in cancer research can really help people. My brother in law, Noel Hughes is now battling liver cancer and the oral chemotherapy tablets he takes are far less traumatic for him than those that were available years earlier. If you can afford just $1 a day, please consider supporting the ACRF, cancer could affect anyone of us and at any time.” – Ruth Robinson, Regular Giver of the Month Share your story
Remembering Rosemary Posted on September 21, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit “In the UK in 1998, my twin sister, Rosemary discovered a lump on her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 38 years old. Rosemary and her husband were busy parents with four kids – two teenagers Rachel and Tommy, an 11 year old daughter, Jenny and a 9 year old son, Sam. Her illness was extremely hard on the whole family. We felt powerless as we watched her endure so much pain and distress at the thought of leaving her children. Rosemary fought courageously and was an inspiration to her community. Her friends and neighbours rallied to support the family during their time of need. The locals made renovations to their house to make her life easier and raised money to send her on a trip to visit me in Australia. This was one of the happiest months of my life, we shared precious time reconnecting and reminiscing about our childhood. It was heart-warming to know that so many people were offering a helping hand where they could. Wednesdays became known as ‘Rosemary Day’ in the area and each week, for three whole years, a group of ladies would take her out for the day. They would visit beautiful and interesting places and then have dinner together at their favourite restaurant. After five years of suffering Rosemary sadly lost her battle on her daughter’s 11th birthday. It is now a bittersweet day for the family and each year on the anniversary the four children meet in the church garden to celebrate their mother. The two girls also “Run for Rosemary” in Mother’s Day fundraising marathons. As her twin sister I feel her loss greatly, it’s very upsetting for me knowing that she did not get to see her children grow up or meet her grandchildren. I know that Rosemary would be so proud of her family and how much they have cared for each other. Over the years, cancer has continued to touch the lives of friends and others around me. A couple of years ago my husband and I realised the importance of cancer research first hand when he was diagnosed with melanoma and took part in a research trial. He has since developed kidney cancer and is being treated with targeted immune therapy which would not have been possible a few years ago. I often think back to the time when Rosemary developed cancer and appreciate all the progress that has been made since then. I support the ACRF with a monthly donation and have left a bequest in my will. I know my donations go towards helping the ACRF fund the necessary equipment that allows researchers to make many more life-saving discoveries. I hope that together we can spare many families the heartbreak of losing their loved ones in the future.” ACRF Regular Giver of the Month, Ann Smith Learn more about becoming a regular giver. Share your story
Our regular givers are making real progress possible! Posted on July 5, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit “Cancer was certainly not part of who Danielle was as a person, but it was a part of the narrative of her life’s journey. Her legacy will always live on in our children Joshua, Grace and Caleb, who were 9, 8 and 5 respectively when Danielle passed away. “To honour the memory of Danielle and to set an example for our children to follow in life – that together, we can all make a difference – I have made a life-time commitment to actively support Australian researchers in their search for the cures. “It gives me hope for my children’s future that the Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s Partners in the Cure – a group I am proud to belong to – have raised more than $1.3 million.” Continue reading “Our regular givers are making real progress possible!”
Give it up: Regular giving for cancer research Posted on July 12, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit You can become a Partner in the Cure by making a regular gift to cancer research! This month, we are celebrating the incredible Australians who make monthly donations to break-through cancer research. These individuals are called ‘Partners in the Cure’ and they are characterised by their long-term, passionate commitment towards finding the treatments and cures for cancer. Every donation – large or small – received by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation goes to research with the power to beat cancer. That’s right – 100%. We don’t use any donation dollars to fund our administrative, marketing or operational costs, which means your monthly donation is able to work faster for the future of Australian lives. What could you give up? Use our gift chart below to work out how much you can afford to give! Continue reading “Give it up: Regular giving for cancer research”
