crbf Archives - Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation

9 years strong. Brendon’s fight against sarcoma

July 19, 2024July 19, 2024adminLeave a comment

Introducing Brendon Onorato, a husband and father of two, in the fight against myxoid liposarcoma.

Diagnosed in 2015, Brendon has faced immense challenges over the past nine years with unwavering resilience and hope. Despite the rigours of living with this relentless cancer, he continues to be immersed in his young family, maintain a positive attitude, and explore new avenues in integrative oncology after his terminal diagnosis.

Join us as Brendon candidly shares his powerful story, inspiring us all with his courage and determination.

The lasting legacy of Megan Harridge

February 2, 2023February 2, 2023adminLeave a comment

With Christmas fast approaching it is a timely reminder there are many families who have recently experienced unimaginable tragedy and loss in the lead up to Christmas, and it is not always “The happiest time of the year”… Two such families are the Goleby and Harridge families.

Megan Harridge was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2020. Histology post surgery however showed that the tumour was a rhabdomyosarcoma.

Megan passed away in October of 2022, as a result of this rare cancer.

Conversations between Megan & her family prior to her passing, revealed her wish to direct donations in lieu of flowers to sarcoma research in Australia.

We wish to announce the fund set up by parents Lois & Geoff with family, Josh, Lily & Ryan, along with husband Scott and family Jann, Steve, Emma and Rob (together with extended family) has raised $5000 with CRBF matching every dollar donated to reach $10,000

As per the family’s wishes this funding will go to the FAR-RMS rhabdomyosarcoma specific trial conducted by ANZSA, the national scientific body for sarcoma research in Australia/New Zealand. Funds will be utilised to support the study by paying for samples to be studied in the laboratory for one or more of the following sites:

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
PeterMac
Children’s’ Hospital Westmead
Monash
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Westmead Adults
John Hunter
Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick
Queensland Children’s Hospital

This fundraiser in Megan’s honour, will remain open indefinitely directing funds raised to the FAR-RMS study, with the first instalment of $10,000 to be paid prior to Christmas.

It is important to acknowledge the immense courage these families have shown in turning this personal tragedy into something which may save others from enduring the grief which drives this very special fund in Megan’s memory.

Should you wish to contribute please go to the link below :

https://donorbox.org/megan-s_memorial_fund

Identification of sarcoma predisposition.

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023adminLeave a comment

Three weeks into 2023, the stellar team at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Omico and UNSW, led by Professor(s) Mandy Ballinger and David Thomas today released scientific findings on the identification of genes and pathways associated with sarcoma predisposition.

The study has identified several new important genes that can cause sarcoma, and the implications of this research are far reaching for those living with sarcoma and their families, allowing detection of the cancer earlier and the potential for improved survival for those diagnosed with this sinister cancer.

The study has found a gene carried by one in 14 individuals diagnosed with sarcoma, which explains why the cancer emerges. In addition, the research team identified a previously unrecognised genetic pathway specific to sarcomas.

Professor Ballinger said today “Further understanding of the heritable genetic drivers will eventually lead to better outcomes for families impacted by sarcoma.”

The research was made possible by the dedication and hard work of those involved, and the support of funding partners

To read more please press the link below:

Link to Article

A very sad goodbye to Ahuaiti Stockman

November 5, 2022November 5, 2022adminLeave a comment

This has been an unspeakably difficult week for the sarcoma community with the ripple effect reverberating nationally. So many friends and family hurting and living with the pain of the loss of a loved one.

We sadly share the news of yet another family in our community who this week mourn the loss of their beloved wife and mother.

Australians are known for their generosity when others are in need, and this was evident by the way in which they wrapped their arms around the stockman family in July. This is when it was discovered both mum Ahuaiti and son Jordan were living under very difficult conditions with advanced metastatic cancer.

Ahuaiti sadly passed away on Monday night, surrounded by her cherished family and more love than could be imagined.

Today, the family farewelled their precious Ahuaiti in a magnificent service, celebrating their Māori culture.

We send our love and strength to husband Darrin, Jordan, Jovan, Cullen, Corey, Kaelis, and Kye-Jana together with extended family.

Friends for life – Noosa Triathlon

November 2, 2022November 2, 2022adminLeave a comment

Today, a team of remarkable young men and women, completed the gruelling Noosa Triathlon in honour of their dear friend Jack Gobson raising well over a staggering $27,000 (and rising) for sarcoma patient support in Australia.

When the team first set out – their target was a very respectable $5000 or alternatively 200 donations which today stands at 230 averaging at $120 per donation.

Poor Man’s Everest was the brainchild of Jack Gibson, lachie Mactier, Hunter Hordern, andAngus Joyce, however the boys were joined today by Hugh Jameson, Emma Duncan, Will Gyles, Lucie Holden, Siobahn Shaw, Tom Molloy, and Dylan Boakes.

This month, this team have funded the following:

Travel expenses of a patient travelling to and from treatment ($6150)
Subsidising medicare gap payments – ($1950)
Fertility procedures and egg preservation – ( $8500)
A mobile phone and plan for 12 months for a young patient forced to spend weeks in hospital without connection to his friends and family- ( $2341)
Grocery and petrol cards for a sarcoma family struggling to make ends meet ($700)
Clinical supervision for the Fergus McCulla Psychological Support Programme ($1600)
Leaving a surplus of $5700 to be directed to patients and families in November.

How do we even come close to thanking this outstanding group of young friends competing in honour of a young man we all hold in the highest regard?

Wishing a special man a very special day

October 30, 2022November 2, 2022adminLeave a comment

Happy Birthday “Wippa”!

To the man who will stop at nothing to raise awareness (and funding) for sarcoma in Australia – even partaking in an impromptu Brazilian wax courtesy of a plaster cast during Celebrity Apprentice – all while on national tv .

We are forever in your debt.

Happy birthday Wippa, the next wax is on us!…

Also an appropriate way to see out September – childhood cancer awareness month.

The Wipfli family Sarcoma Research Fund was named in honour of Wippa’s eye-watering win in the first Celebrity Apprentice challenge in 2021 which together with The Kids Cancer Project brought hope for young sarcoma patients nationally with the inception of the phosphoproteomic paediatric AYA sarcoma clinical trial at the The Children’s Cancer Institute.

We wish you a magical day that is as special as you are to so many.

Photographs courtesy of Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

Anya’s Wish 19 for 19 Challenge

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022adminLeave a comment

Ethereal & spectacular are just two words that spring to mind after watching the sunrise this morning as it peeped through the fog in the Armidale highlands – the venue Kenwood Park owned by the Coffey family.

A picture perfect morning marked a wonderful start to the annual 19 for 19 Challenge, raising critical funding for osteosarcoma research.

The remarkable @liziegan, Will Winter and children Alex, Alice, Annie, & Hugh host this event in memory of their beloved daughter/sister, Anya who lost her life to osteosarcoma in September of 2020.

This challenging 19km event represents one km for every year of Anya’s brief life, and takes on some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable as seen in the attached photos.

Today the Armidale community wrapped their arms around this very special family resulting in an extraordinary turnout. Those making the effort were richly rewarded with breathtaking surrounds and a simply glorious day, in the knowledge that every step was a step closer to curing osteosarcoma.

While final counting is still underway, expectations for this event lie upwards of $220,000 which is utterly incredible! It will also provide much needed hope for the future for osteosarcoma patients .

Thank you to those very generous donors who backed Colin and I finishing – we are happy to report we are in one piece and sadly about to leave this magnificent region.

Funds from this event have been directed to osteosarcoma specific research, the work of Dr Emmy Fleuren at @childrenscancerinstitute who also oversees research for the CRBF sarcoma specific phosphoproteomic trial, funded by the generosity of @Wippa1 whilst on Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

We would like to thank Anya’s amazing family, the Armidale community for their warmth, Rydges Hotel Armidale for their hospitality then allowing us to clean off the mud ready for our flight home, Tour de Rocks for their outstanding organisational capability, and @tasarmidale whose students provided a lot of light entertainment along the way.

Should you wish to donate, go to link in bio.

Photos courtesy Simon Scott.

In memory of Dr Matthew Fisher

October 21, 2022November 2, 2022adminLeave a comment

Louisa Gunning is a student at ANU, studying history and maths. She also works as a swimming teacher for children, but Louisa is no ordinary 20 year old university student. She is planning to shave her beautiful head of hair for the second time for cancer – this time to advance research for sarcoma.

The cause is personal – her cousin Naomi Chun lost her husband to rhabdomyosarcoma in January of 2021. Naomi has two young daughters three and six, and despite her remarkable approach to life without her much loved husband Matt, she is left to contemplate each day without the man she married only five short years prior to his sarcoma diagnosis.

The fund set up in his memory, Dr Matthew Fisher Sarcoma Research Fund has raised almost $100,000 for the IL23 sarcoma specific sub study, at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and this time Louisa will be directing funds to Phase two of this clinical trial.

On behalf of all those living with a sarcoma diagnosis in Australia, we wish to thank Louisa for raising much needed funding for high level sarcoma research in Australia, and raising awareness in an effort to promote early diagnosis of this cancer.

To support Louisa go to https://donorbox.org/in_memory_of_matt

It takes a village, & CRBF has one of the best

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022adminLeave a comment

Past weeks have seen a remarkable group from the AFL, the Sydney Swans, MCC members and AFL Cares, join forces to produce a Grand Final experience for an extraordinary family.

The heartiest of thanks to CRBF ambassador & all-round good guy Paul Roos, one of the nicest men in football Swans CEO Tom Harley & Ops Mgr the exceptional Amanda Turner, both going over & beyond, the fantastic Bec @ AFL Cares whose efforts leave us without words, the wonderful Holly Baker @ MCC Members & dear friends of CRBF, Carolyn Kay, Ange Croft and & Amy Parmenter.

This remarkable group conducted a masterclass in getting the job done. All were working ridiculous hours continuing well into today. Their dedication to helping us with this very special cause is humbling.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Ilan Weill, GM of Hyatt Centric Hotel Mel, Indya Dwyer & Louise Alford together with Hyatt centric Melbourne. CRBF has a long-standing association with Hyatt Hotels, & once more they have gone over and beyond to assist.

We wish the Swans all the best for today, acknowledging they provided the icing on the cake by digging deep to make it to the GF.

This is a side that is as truly remarkable on the field as they are off the field. A side that gives back to the community in so many ways.

CRBF has been one of those recipients over many years, & it’s a connection we hold close to our hearts. We would like to thank Cooper’s junior AFL teammate Nick Blakey, Captain Callum Mills, Harry Cunningham, and Tom Papley for the work they have each done over the years to heighten awareness of sarcoma in the Australia. We also recognise the wonderful friendship that existed with Manager Football Operations, Peter Berbakov, former captain Stuart Maxfield, & Coach, John Longmire.

It would be remiss to overlook the fabulous Gary Rohan who is now preferring the blue and white, to the red and white, however was a special friend to Coops when he needed it most.

Special acknowledgment to ABC 7.30 Report & Lesley Robinson for the precious footage.

The new MDT facility opens at RPA

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022adminLeave a comment

We were delighted to be invited to the opening of the new MDT facility at RPA for the Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Unit.

Equipped with the latest technology to enhance patient care, the facility is dedicated to the memory of Dr Annabelle Mahar, a much loved, highly respected and world-renowned member of RPA’s Tissue Pathology Department.

Sarcoma is an insidious cancer, treatments are complex and it is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the 15 to 24 year age group in Australia.(AIHW)

Equipping our brilliant sarcoma trained specialists with the space and technology to collaborate in weekly MDT meetings is a critical component of optimal patient care for those diagnosed with sarcoma.

Today marked an important step forward, and with it, tangible hope.

Dr Teresa Anderson delivered the opening words, acknowledging the work of Dr Annabelle Mahar, whose name the centre proudly bears, together with an outline of why this facility is needed.

Dr Stephen McNamara, devoted partner of Dr Annabelle Mahar’s heartfelt speech today resonated with all in the room. A plaque commemorating Annabelle’s immense contribution to pathology at RPA sits at the entrance to this facility.

After an illustrious career that saw him a pioneer in sarcoma surgery in Australia, Professor Paul Stalley has now passed the baton to incoming Chair of the NSW Bone and Soft Tissue Unit , Dr RIchard Boyle, who officially opened the facility with well chosen words expressing the significance of this facility.

We speak for all those touched by sarcoma in thanking Dr Teresa Anderson Chief Executive of the Sydney Local Health District, and NSW Health for this investment in the future of sarcoma in NSW.