To the Can Too community,
As we embark on the first of the end of year drinks, celebrations and functions I still think a part of me is in April. This is a poignant reminder of the value of time and the opportunity that we have to squeeze the most from our days. I thought I’d share my favourite quote in the hope that it provides a little extra motivation to embrace the silly season!
"This is the true joy in life —
being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap;
being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."
— George Bernard Shaw
YOU Have Now Fundraised $17 million!
A thank you is never enough – but thank you. I know as a supporter of our community you will join us in making it to $18,000,000. We do need funding to continue to reach these milestones and as always I would love to hear from your organisation if you think you can help! Please get in touch with me: susannah@cantoo.org.au.
World Pancreatic Cancer Day
World Pancreatic Cancer Day this month is a time to reflect on what Can Too has been doing to combat this disease that according to Cancer Australia has a 5-year survival rate of just 7%.
Can Too has funded six years of early career pancreatic cancer researchers like Dr Phoebe Phillips through major beneficiary Cure Cancer Australia, and we continue to fund Dr Phillips in 2016 as the head of a major research project through collaboration partner Cancer Council NSW.
The team Dr Philliips works with have developed a highly promising technology to deliver gene-silencing drugs to treat pancreatic cancer – the most chemo-resistant and deadly cancer in Australia. When tested in mice, the new nanomedicine resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in the growth of tumours and reduced the spread of pancreatic cancer.
Currently the best chemotherapy drug available could prolong life by only 16 weeks. We wish them luck as they continue their research. You can read the full update about Dr Phillips research progress at Cure Cancer Australia.
Great Ocean Road Running Festival 2017
This year sees the exciting return of the Great Ocean Road Running Festival to our training calendar. We are offering training in Melbourne and Sydney for the Marathon, Half Marathon, and the Paradise 14km Run (this is an amazing course up into the hills that is just incredibly beautiful). Training for the marathon starts next week!
Yours in fun, fitness, friendship and fundraising,
Susannah Miall
Chief Executive Officer
