Gypsys Gift: fighting cancer with music Posted on October 19, 2016February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Gemma and her fiancé, Jimi, started the band Gypsys Gift five years ago. Since then, the duo have won an Australian Independent Music Award, achieved rotation on Foxtel’s CMC and will shortly release their highly anticipated, debut album Chapters. Over the weekend, the band unveiled the new music video for their single, Feed the Fire, alongside a special announcement. “We do not ask that you buy our new song – we’re doing things a little differently this time. In support of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, we aim to create awareness of cancer research with the release of Feed the Fire. Our ONLY intention is to raise as much money as possible for cancer research. All funds raised will go directly to ACRF, and this will be an ongoing campaign for us.” said Gemma. “The last couple of years have been both incredible and heartbreaking for Jimi and I. We have travelled the world and experienced remarkable growth, but we have also been on a tough road. Two Christmases ago we were faced with the hard news that my Mum, Joanne, was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer. Mum underwent multiple major surgeries to remove half her liver, gall bladder, part of the bowel and lymph nodes. She then went through six months of chemotherapy treatment as a further measure to prevent the cancer coming back. This was a whole new world for my entire family. We felt very much in the dark as we had no experience and no understanding of what anything meant. It’s safe to say the journey was hard on all of us, especially on my Mum, step-dad and two brothers who lived through this every day. Slowly things began to feel normal again as Mum was recovering day by day. Although the physical and emotional scars of the cancer had not entirely faded, my Mum, being the warrior that she is, was soaring to better days. Then out of the blue, while I was on my way to a songwriting session, I received a phone call that would once again change the lives of myself and family. Mum had been re-diagnosed with terminal cancer of the liver. Hearing the news was like being in a movie. A fear that I have never felt, and didn’t quite comprehend, washed over me – I was now faced with losing my mother when she was only 48 years old. They say, as an adult you must carry on. But this time, it’s not been the case. This is now my life. I often describe it as living in a permanent nightmarish limbo-land. We all have our good days and our bad days, but my Mum has kept us all positive and moving forward. She has spent her entire life putting everyone else before herself, and even now, she wishes for nothing more than everyone else’s happiness. Mum has been fighting cancer for a couple of years now – in true grace. Her resilience, strength and courage is unfathomable and we stand by her side while she battles through this. This illness has turned the life of myself and my loved ones upside down, and this happens every day to families all over the world. Cancer does not discriminate; almost everyone has been touched by this illness in some way or another. This painful journey has inspired Jimi and me to help put an end to cancer, and we will not cure cancer without research. This is why we feel so passionately about ACRF. It is my belief that they are by far one of the most compassionate and forward-thinking foundations we know. We are determined to raise money for the research that we all so desperately need to stop this illness. Every little bit helps and I truly believe it raises the spirits of those struggling with cancer too. Great things happen when people work together.” ACRF supporters, Gemma & Jimi, Gypsys Gift. To support Gemma and Jimi, click here.
Barbas & Zacári – Your time is valuable Posted on February 15, 2016March 19, 2018 by Carly du Toit ACRF corporate supporters, Tas Zacári and Emmanuel Barbas are two young entrepreneurial designers from Melbourne. They recently established a new watch brand, Barbas & Zacári which caters to those with a passion for minimalist style and gives customers an opportunity to contribute to the fight against cancer with every purchase. “To give back to a good cause and to do what we can to help, we decided to donate $5 (AUD) to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation for every watch sold. We are extremely proud to be supporters of cancer research and we can’t thank our customers enough for their support thus far. We are really excited to see what we can do in 2016,” said the founders. The brand promotes their watches alongside the hashtag #yourtimeisvaluable, to highlight the importance of cancer research and recognise that every hour we spend on this earth is valuable to each individual. “We think it’s marvellous that designers and young entrepreneurs are doing what they can to help us fund research into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all types of cancers,” said ACRF’s CEO Professor Ian Brown. Their first collection, released in December, offers five styles of contemporary and fashionable unisex watches that suit any occasion. For more information on Barbas & Zacári or to purchase one of these great time pieces, click here.
Cancer Research Saved My Parents Posted on December 3, 2015March 13, 2018 by Carly du Toit Targeted laser treatments for breast cancer and early diagnostic tests for bowel cancer gave Christina more time with her mum and dad. “The best gifts I’ve ever received were the cancer treatments that saved my parents. My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was living interstate so when I got the phone call I was in utter shock and disbelief. I came back to sit with her through as many of her appointments as I could because she just sort of shut off when they were going through all the different options, I think it was just too much to take in all at once. We had never been touched by cancer before, so everything we were hearing was new. At an appointment, one of the doctors explained to us that there was a new experimental treatment available that allowed them to better target cancerous lymph nodes, which meant that she could still keep her healthy ones. This new treatment was not only successful, it also lessened the aftermath of surgery. Some people may not know, but treatments have come a long way. This was a really eye-opening experience for me because it was the first time I could really see it first-hand. Later that year my dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer and we actually thought it was a cruel joke because the diagnosis was now the third one to hit our family over just a few months’ time. We lost my grandpa to oesophageal cancer shortly after my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. I think after that we were on high alert because my dad noticed he was having symptoms and went in for testing straight away. It was because of this that they were able to catch bowel cancer early. I’m so thankful for the hard lessons we learned because I know they played a big part in saving my dad’s life. I know there are a lot of great charities out there, but the thing with cancer research is that you never know how many lives could be saved with the next breakthrough.” Christina Belperio – Regular Giver of the Month Share your story
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
Making a Difference in Michael’s Name Posted on October 15, 2015March 13, 2018 by Carly du Toit “My family has been touched by cancer a few times, but the two that hurt the most were the loss of my mother and then my husband. My mother was recently retired when she told me she had found a lump in her breast. After lots of convincing, my sisters and I finally got her to visit the doctor. What she hadn’t told us was that she had first noticed the lump six months ago and by then it had grown extremely large. This was 20 years ago and there weren’t many options available to her at the time. After fighting through 15 months of gruelling treatment she sadly lost her battle with breast cancer. Years later, Michael, my wonderful husband and the father of our four sons was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 54 years old. We were really shocked as he had always enjoyed good health and was not showing any symptoms other than an itchy feeling under the skin. Our doctor however, did not suspect good news and the blood test proved it. Michael endured a lot to try and beat the cancer. He went through one and a half rounds of chemo and underwent a very high risk operation called a Whipple procedure. Thankfully he made it through but it was a long, hard road to recovery after the extensive surgery. Thanks to the expertise of the doctors and their teams things began to look more positive, but we were only able to spend an extra 22 months with Michael before he passed away at 56 years old. I donate in Michael’s name each month and hope that my little bit will make a difference so we can find a cure for all cancers. I chose to support the Australian Cancer Research Foundation because it’s a non-profit organisation that awards grants to the most ground-breaking research teams in Australia. I know my donations will help cancer researchers to continue fast-tracking discoveries for the future.” – Jannelle Scerri, Regular Giver of the Month Learn more about becoming a regular giver. 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
Hope from Heartache: The Dillon Family Honour Their Beloved Grandfathers Posted on August 20, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit “Unfortunately both my husband Travis and I suddenly lost our fathers to cancer within two and a half years of each other. Both of these wonderful men had only recently retired and were looking forward to making plans for their futures. They were in their mid-sixties and had worked hard in the agricultural industry all their lives. The impact of losing a parent was made even worse knowing our young children would no longer get to enjoy such precious times with their adored Poppa and Grandpa. It has now been over six years since I lost my Dad and not a day goes by where I don’t think of him. I miss him dearly, and every now and then I’ll pick up the phone to call him before remembering that it’s not possible anymore. Following my Dad’s funeral, Travis and I wanted to do something positive to help prevent others from suffering the same devastating loss. We decided the best way to do this was to support the hard working cancer research scientists trying to find cures for this cruel disease. As we had lost our fathers to different types of cancer – kidney and prostate, we looked for a foundation that researches cures for all cancers. We chose the ACRF as they are committed to funding research in Australia that aims to end all cancers. We now make a contribution every month in memory of our fathers. We’re happy to do our part in the fight against cancer and hope that in the future more children will be able to grow up experiencing the joy of spending time with their grandparents. We are proud to be ACRF supporters and every month we receive updates and eagerly read about the ground-breaking discoveries being made. We believe that without cancer research many more families will be deprived of valuable time with their loved ones. While there is nothing that can be done in our sad situation, we take comfort in the precious memories we made with our fathers and hold out hope for families in the future.” – Sally and Travis Dillon Learn more about becoming a regular giver. Share your story
The moment that changed my family forever. Posted on July 14, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit “Back in 1998 my husband and I were like any other typical family. We had two sons, one aged four and eight. My husband, Craig, was an electrical engineer and Officer in the Navy. He was passionate about the Navy and his job at HMAS Albatross in Nowra. Craig was looking forward to being promoted and taking the next step in his career, while I was studying adult education and both our boys were involved in many sporting activities. We were no different than any other family. April 1998 will be a month I will never forget. Craig had been complaining of not feeling well, having a sore throat and just feeling lethargic. Within one week Craig had been admitted to the oncology section of Wollongong hospital and diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Our world tipped upside down in a moment and I was trying to explain to a four and eight year old that their father was very sick and may not live. Craig was told that the only way he could live was with a bone marrow transplant and that he didn’t have much time. The chances of survival were given at 30%. Craig endured chemotherapy which was quickly followed by a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately for Craig his identical triplet sisters were a match and one was selected as his donor. Hurdle one was achieved. The next step was to get into Westmead Hospital for the transplant and that was hurdle two. The transplant unit only took 6 patients at a time and we had to wait. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to wait. Eight months were spent in and out of hospital however after the transplant it was found that Craig had suffered a complication from the transplant which affected his lungs. After many years with Craig’s lung problems he eventually passed away on 8 August 2002 at 38 years of age. Throughout all the treatments and hospital visits there was one thing that Craig was passionate about and that was raising funds to find a cure for leukaemia, particularly in children. Craig felt that if he found the treatments hard to cope with, then small children with any type of cancer would be in a worse position. I continue Craig’s passion for finding a cure for all cancers, which is why I have become a Partner in the Cure. The researchers and medical professionals working at ACRF are equally passionate about finding cures in the hope that people like Craig get to live a fulfilling life with their families. I’m proud to do my small part by regularly donating to the ACRF so that they can continue to fund breakthroughs in cancer research. Cures for cancer can only come from research and if we all contribute a small amount this means that cancer research can continue in Australia,” Regular Giver of the Month – Dianne King. Learn more about becoming a regular giver. Share your story
A man honours his hero, best friend and father Posted on May 19, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit “I have chosen to become a Partner in the Cure due to the recent passing of my father, Stan Phillips, at age 76. My father was a major influence on me and truly was a great man. He lived his life to the fullest and touched the hearts of many. He lived a long life, but for me his passing still came too soon, I was hoping he would be around longer to see his two grandchildren grow up. He was very fit and I think he would have had years left if it wasn’t for cancer. It was a shock when he had to be rushed to hospital and we discovered he had bowel cancer. He fought a hard battle for three years right up until he passed, and through it all he was positive, smiling and enjoying life. He was a real family man who put us first and was more concerned with my family than his own struggle. He worked hard to give us every opportunity in life and rarely treated himself. He was my mentor, training partner and best friend. The way he lived his life and fought cancer is why he is my role model; I will be happy if I can live up to just half of his standards and I hope I can pass this attitude to life onto my children. It’s amazing what a perfect father he was especially when he lost his own in the 2nd World War at the age of four. His determination in life led him to be successful in several different careers, starting out as a carpenter, then serving in the Elite Parachute Regiment, and finally becoming a construction site manager. He was also wonderful husband to my mother Margret. Today would have been their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Karate was one of his favourite hobbies. He trained for eight years earning his black belt in 1983 and only stopping a few months prior to his passing when he became too ill. The club he belonged to now awards a trophy in his name. He requested that people make donations to cancer research in lieu of bringing flowers to his funeral. He believed, as I do, that if we can contribute to the advancement for a cure it will one day save my children or grandchildren from this terrible disease,” Nathan Phillips. Share your story
A Soldier Saved Posted on April 27, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit “I support the ACRF because my son is alive and well today thanks to the great strides being made in cancer research around diagnosis and treatment. My 23 year old son was diagnosed with testicular cancer during his final year of training to become an Officer in the Australian Army. Within days of hearing the news he had to go in for surgery and had an orchiectomy. Unfortunately though, at that point, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and he was told that he would have to undergo chemotherapy treatments. He began his chemo immediately following his graduation from the Royal Military College in December 2013. But as bad luck would have it, he didn’t get an all clear, even after four rounds of chemo. So the next step was an extensive open abdominal surgical procedure, known as a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) which was followed by a lengthy recovery. Fortunately, he’s now in remission and has embarked on what will be a proud military career. Becoming a Partner in the Cure was a small way for me to help others become cancer survivors like my son.” Simon Toovey, Regular Giver of the Month. Share your story
Make regular charity donations and become a Partner in the Cure! Posted on September 30, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Aussies are renowned for being very generous and those who decide to make regular charity donations to cancer research are part of a VIP group of ACRF supporters known as “Partners in the Cure”. Their generous monthly donation allows us to plan for a stable and supportive future for some of the best cancer researchers in Australia. These regular charity donations are helping us to fight cancer for patients (and their families) of this generation and the next. Our Partners in the Cure are part of the ACRF family and many have decided to join our cause by providing their monthly donations in memory of a loved one they have lost. Continue reading “Make regular charity donations and become a Partner in the Cure!”
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!”
July is Regular Giving Month! Posted on June 27, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Regular Giving Month is an opportunity for us to celebrate our regular givers, both new and long-standing, for their incredible commitment to world-class cancer research in Australia. Through their regular charity donations, this amazing group of people have together raised more than $1.3 million! For this, and for their ongoing support, we will be forever grateful: they are a vital part of our work, ensuring we are able to fund the high-quality, world-class research grant applications we receive each and every year. Together, they are speeding up new treatments and cures for cancer. One of our newest regular givers, Stephen Holyoak, joined our Partner in the Cure program because his life has been changed forever by this terrible disease. “After losing my mum to cancer far too young, I felt it was time to try and help those who are suffering today and tomorrow.” “I have been unfortunate to also see very close friends lose family members to this horrible disease.” Continue reading “July is Regular Giving Month!”
Sharyn shares her Regular Giving story Posted on July 27, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Sharyn and her family This July we are celebrating the contributions of a VIP group of supporters known as Partners in the Cure. These Australians have made a long-term commitment to cancer research by making monthly donations to the ACRF, and we are so grateful for their support. One Partner in the Cure and regular giver, Sharyn Hillas has also generously shared her story with us. Please take a moment to read about Sharyn, and her son’s brave fight against cancer: “My son, Robert was diagnosed with a primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma in September 2011, but his battle began many months before that. Continue reading “Sharyn shares her Regular Giving story”
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”
Our Regular Givers are Partners in the Cure Posted on June 29, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit July is Regular Giving month – a time when passionate supporters are encouraged to kick-start the new financial year by signing up to make monthly donations to cancer research. These generous Australians who make regular charity donations to the ACRF are part of a VIP group of supporters known as Partners in the Cure. They are characterised by their ongoing commitment to our work and their belief that together, a group of dedicated donors can make a BIG difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families. I would like to sign up as a Regular Giver today. This July, we celebrate our Partners in the Cure. We have gathered a number of stories for you, told to us first-hand by some of our Partners in the Cure. Luciano Hespanhol has been a regular giver since 2007 – and in his words “It is important to me that my donation is done regularly because at any given time I can remind myself that I am preventing other people from heading down the same no-through road.” “When I was 17, my grandmother was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and in order for her to be looked after, my mother brought her to live with us. “Although the prognosis seemed positive at the start, chemotherapy and radiotherapy quickly destroyed my once cheerful grandma. Continue reading “Our Regular Givers are Partners in the Cure”
New Year, New Opportunities for Regular Charity Donations Posted on January 31, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The time for making New Year’s Resolutions is over – it’s now time to start thinking seriously about keeping them! As the festive season winds down, we can start to think seriously about what we can do differently in 2012. We plan for new tasks, set new goals, and come up with new ideas. So this new year, why not commit to a resolution that could make a real difference, and consider regular charity donations to cancer research? Regular charity donations are the most cost effective way for you to support the ACRF, and they enable us as a cancer research charity to plan for the future. In 2012, you can have the satisfaction of being part of something big. Continue reading “New Year, New Opportunities for Regular Charity Donations”
Regular giving – ongoing support for an ultimate goal Posted on September 24, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Since 1984, The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has been continuously fighting against cancer by funding world-class research that makes a difference. This would not be possible without the ongoing support from our regular givers. Regular giving to cancer research is a simple and meaningful way to honour the memory of a loved one, and make a real difference to fast-tracking the vital work of Australian cancer research scientists. We greatly value each of our regular givers who generously contribute to the ACRF’s ultimate goal for a world free from the devastating effects of cancer. One of our more recent regular givers, Andrew Morine, tells us why he first chose to donate to cancer research and continues to do so to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Awesome! ACRF website attracts regular giver Full marks go to the team behind the Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s innovative website, according to regular giver Andrew Morine. Morine, who is the co-owner and Principal IT Consultant for Orange Data at Oxley in Queensland, said he was attracted to the ACRF while exploring various Australian cancer groups and organisations on the internet. “I was particularly interested in finding an organisation that focused on research and the ACRF seemed the most appropriate group after I looked around,’’ he said recently. “I often go back to the website to see the latest developments that are coming through thanks to the ACRF. I find some of the research very interesting and it makes me want to continue on as a supporter for sure.’ Continue reading “Regular giving – ongoing support for an ultimate goal”
