CRBFNews Archives - Page 3 of 14 - Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation

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

Jessica “Jess” Slee in her words

October 14, 2022October 26, 2022adminLeave a comment

I’m Jess

I am 36yrs old, a wife to Keiran and a mum to Declan 5yrs, and Maddi 4yrs.

I have sarcoma, sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma. Diagnosed in 2014. I have under gone 3 massive surgeries, the last leaving me with half a sternum, a few less ribs, no abs and a whole lot of mesh so I don’t cave in! I’ve done radiotherapy, chemotherapy, votrient, and clinical trials; including T cells and now immunotherapy. And after all that the tumors are still here, stubborn buggers, just like me. My formal diagnosis is; incurable, inoperable local metastatic fibrosarcoma.

I love to live. Cancer has brought back my spontaneous zest for life. Pre kids’ hubby and I would travel, weekends away, attend advents and take day trips. Two small children stole that freedom for a few years but we are now back and not wasting anytime. As a family we love the outdoors, the beach, new places, camping with friends and trying new things.

Prior to 2020 I was a Practice Manager; I’ve always loved the health industry and miss having a professional career. My husband is a Geotechnical Engineer and works a FIFO roster, so I am home with the kids. Although they test my patience’s I am so grateful I get to spend my remaining time on earth watching them grow and challenge my will to live ?

20/21 was a tough year of surgeries, treatments and disappointment. I have accepted my situation, as shit as it is, but I refuse to sit around. I am alive and I plan to be for a long time to come. I am incredibly passionate in creating awareness around this hideous disease. I’ve documented my story on Instagram; for me, for my hubby, for my kids and for anyone who might need it. Social media has been a wonderful support and outlet.

So that’s me, a very basic overview anyways. Please check out my Instagram page living.with.sarcoma. I am always up for a chat, for anyone who might need it, and if not my kids are absolute firecrackers and their content is sure to make you smile. They honestly don’t stop, like ever! Lastly; take the picture, say yes to the opportunity, and the washing can always wait. Time is a thief, steal back as much of it as you can.

Love Jess

An Aussie ‘Diamond’ dedicated to sarcoma

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022adminLeave a comment

Be sure to be watching at 5.30 EST today as one of the loveliest and most grounded young elite sportswomen @amyparmenterr makes her Australian Diamonds debut in New Zealand – pictured with teammate @kiera_austin .

Amy, and her exceptional sisters @daisyparmy and @laraparmenter are the three remarkable young women @thetiedyeproject_ originally incepted in memory of their precious mum Gilly, who lost her life to mesothelioma in 2013.

In more recent times the trio have joined with two more forces of nature, young sarcoma survivor @mollycroft_ and her mum @angenjohncroft. Together the quintet are taking sarcoma head on with the most recent iteration of The Tie Dye Project soon to be revealed.

We wish Amy a truly magical night as she debuts for Australia and we all extend our deepest gratitude for the work she continues to do to progress sarcoma in Australia (in her spare time)

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.

A marathon run for sarcoma in Australia

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022adminLeave a comment

A superhuman effort by Lachie Mactier today in the Blackmores Running Festival marathon. Lachie kicked the Poor Man’s Everest campaign off today with a masterclass in courage, and sheer determination to cross the finishing line after a gruelling 42kms!

Lachie together with Hunter Hordern and Angus Joyce, who are competing in the Noosa Triathlon in October, launched their campaign only two months ago, and the eye watering total is approaching the $20,000 mark raised for sarcoma services/research in Australia with a deeply personal connection to this cause.

It is difficult to find the words to thank this remarkable trio.

Lachie- we hope you’re resting and enjoying the moment. What an amazing effort? ….

Cancer and mental health on RUOK? Day

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022adminLeave a comment

The Australian Institute of Health Welfare (2021) indicated 1 in 5 Australians (5 million) will suffer mental health conditions, however, a staggering 54% of these people do not access treatment.

An estimated 163,000 people are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2022, and the impact of cancer on mental health is often overlooked.

40% of cancer patients experience clinically significant mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, making the need for care evident. (Cancer Council Victoria)

If you are living with cancer and need support, there are a number of reputable organisations equipped to help.

You never walk this road alone.
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Lifeline 131114
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Canteen Connect online service – https://canteenconnect.org/

Those living with sarcoma nationally have access to clinically supervised free of charge support services through the Fergus McCulla Psychological Support Programme.

Call Keith Cox or Tania Rice-Brading 02 93575378 or go to the link in our bio to arrange a consultation.

Finally when you ask anyone the question RUOK? It’s important to really listen to the answer, encourage relevant action and check in regularly with that person to see how they’re doing.

A very sad goodbye to a special young man

September 13, 2022September 14, 2022adminLeave a comment

Vale Jarrod Anderson

19th August 1995 – 5 September 2022

Jarrod was your typical 26 year old living each day to the full .

Life changed forJarrod in the blink of an eye when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11 short months ago in October of 2021.

The months that followed his diagnosis saw him fight his cancer with every ounce of his strength, with his loving and devoted mum Michelle by his side throughout, together with his siblings Jodie, Stephen and Sarah who provided support to their precious brother.

Two weeks ago Jarrod celebrated his 27th birthday with his remarkable family, and many special memories were made.

Early Monday morning, we were deeply saddened to learn Jarrod’s courageous battle with this cancer had ended surrounded by the love of his family – his one constant throughout.

Jarrod was never left in any doubt as to how much he was, and is, loved.

Tonight we send our heartfelt condolences, our love and strength to Jarrod’s family.

“Photographs are proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.”

The Anderson family would like to thank the staff at the Mater Hospital and the Palliative Care Team in Waratah.

A day for our Father’s & significant others

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022adminLeave a comment

Father’s Day is a day when we turn our thoughts to our dads, and those who fill that role for many. A day that can bring with it many mixed emotions.

It is also a time we pause to remember those who no longer have their child to walk beside them, and those who no longer have their dad to hold their hand. Each of you holds a special place in our hearts.

We wish each of you love, peace of mind, and a special day, no matter what shape that might take?

A day to reflect upon beautiful memories from the past, and a chance to make many more.

#missingyoucoops
#fathersday2022