Advocacy and Awareness: Using Your Voice for Change

Posted in fundraising; Posted 5 months ago by Andreas Obermair

This October marks a special opportunity to help with the fundraising challenge for the Cherish Women's Cancer Foundation. This year Cherish is holding two treks in New Zealand from 22-27 October. This trek not only supports vital gynaecological cancer research but also increases awareness of gynaecological cancers that affect more than 6,700 Australian women every year. One trek is for Cherish trekkers who are keen to get a taste of adventure, and the second trek is for experienced and adventurous trekkers who will trek, cycle, and raft. I'll be joining the New Zealand trek and I'm truly excited to get outdoors with other medical doctors, nurses, patients and friends on my team; all for a meaningful cause.

More details on the Cherish Trek are here and you can donate to the cause here

The impact of donating to research

Medical research fuels scientific breakthroughs that lead to early detection methods, more effective and less harmful treatments, and helps women who are not expected to survive, do really well over the years. Research enhances the quality of life for patients by reducing side effects and providing more personalised and targeted treatment options. What helps one patient, may not be suitable for another. When clinicians and scientists work together, we can create a future where cancer is not a dead-end road but a health issue we can deal with. 

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact in the fight against gynaecological cancers. The research funding model that has worked for us starts by securing philanthropic gifts from private donors or charitable organisations, such as Cherish. This critical seed funding helps generate important information and data that can be shared with large government funders like NHMRC. These results and trial experiences that show project potential, can then be included in NHMRC grant applications to increase the likelihood of large grant success.

Without the donations and seed funding that kick-start research ideas, none of our big breakthrough trials that made us famous and that put Queensland on the map internationally, would have eventuated.

Why Advocate for Vulvar Cancer Awareness?

You may have seen the recent cover story in The Courier Mail’s QWeekend magazine. Vulvar cancer is a cancer that no one wants to talk about. The consequence of silence is that this cancer is not considered to be a problem by the general community.

From numerous conversations with patients, I can assure you that vulvar cancer represents a massive problem for women who are affected. At least half of women who need vulvar cancer treatment will develop one or more complications in the short or the long term. Patients have to be taken back to theatre to fix a wound problem; other patients develop life-long leg swelling (lymphoedema).

We plan to start Australia’s first ever randomized clinical trial in vulvar cancer in 2025. This is a trial that will (if successful) show evidence for a less harmful but equally effective treatment.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Our Cherish Champions are in the midst of raising funds for their trek. Our group has set a goal to raise $50,000 before we head off to New Zealand in October.

Should you wish, consider supporting one of our trekkers with a small donation to reach the fundraising goal.

Thank you.