Monash researchers bond with donors to fight rare cancers

Suzanne Neate (right) with her mother Teresa, who died in 2016.

Image: The Aftershock

by Anne Crawford

After Suzanne Neate’s mother Teresa died of thyroid cancer five years ago, Suzanne wanted to make an impact on the lives of other people similarly enduring high mortality rate cancers.

Teresa had spent time in rehabilitation; Suzanne thought of funding equipment, walkers or wheelchairs for those in care. “Then I thought ‘No, the problem is she shouldn’t have been there to begin with – how do you stop someone being there to begin with?’,” she said. “You research – everything comes back to research.”

Suzanne, CEO of The Aftershock, the not-for-profit organisation she founded in 2017, has joined forces on a research project into lethal oesophageal cancer with Professor Wendy Brown, Alfred Hospital surgeon, researcher and Head of Monash University’s Department of Surgery.

Planned Giving as a source of funding for your research

Philanthropic donations are an important funding source for medical research at CCS.  Most philanthropic donations come in a form a cash gift or a pledge gift given over a number of years.  The ultimate philanthropic gift a person could give is through estate plans.  This video from Monash University's Planned Giving team showcases how making a bequest can be a
rewarding step to further a cause close to the donor's heart.

JDRF One Ride 2018 to fundraise $$ for diabetes research

Terri Allen is fundraising for JDRF diabetes research. Link

Terri Allen from the Monash University's Department of Diabetes and Carrie Keller are doing the JDRF Ride for the Cure to fundraise for JDRF and network for our department. We would love you to help sponsor us as we attempt an 80km ride!

Please head to Terri's page if you can spare a few dollars for this great charity that in turn supports many people's research in the diabetes department. Please spread the word to family and friends! Link:

https://jdrf-ride-2018.everydayhero.com/au/terri

Many thanks, Terri Allen

Support breast cancer research: 3 Dec fundraising run - donate or participate

Dr Shiva Akbarzadeh from the Department of Surgery is running with a group of women friends in a 5K circuit, next Sunday, 3 December 2017, in memory of Maryam Mirzakhani, the Iranian born Professor at Stanford University who lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer earlier this year.  She has been the only woman to date who has received a Fields Medal (equivalent of Nobel Prize in Mathematics).

Please support breast cancer research. Here is the link to our fund raising page.  No donation is too little! carmanswfr2017.everydayhero.com/au/run-for-a-beautiful-mind

Photo of the Week: Diabetes donor signs are up!

The Department of Diabetes has recently been blessed with some generous donors, including the Meydan and Jreissati families. Pictured here are some of the Diabetes department staff and students (L-R: Ms Hanah Rodriguez, Mr Pacific Huynh, Dr Anna Watson, Mr Harikrishnan Kaipananickal, Ms Estelle Asquier, Dr Jay Jha) at the Alfred Centre Level 5 reception desk sporting its new sign acknowledging the Meydan family.

New Tel Aviv-Monash research centre for metabolic disorders

L-R: Professor Paul Zimmet (Monash); Dr Ronni Gamzu (CEO, Tel Aviv
Medical Center); Mr Sami Sagol (philanthropist); Professor Naftali Stern
(Director of Endocrinology, Tel Aviv Medical Center)

A major research collaboration between the new Department of Diabetes at Monash University and the newly established Sagol Center for Epigenetics of Metabolism and Aging at Tel Aviv Medical Center was announced in Israel on 26 May 2017. This generous initiative was made possible by the Sagol family.

The Center is part of a network of research centres established in academic and medical centres by the Sagol family, focusing on the advancement of research on longevity and quality of life.

Call out for reading material for ages 0-12 years for Bali school

2 May 2017 update: Many thanks to all those who have contributed. The book drive has been a great success with over 600 books donated and no more can be taken. We're looking forward to seeing photos of the freshly stocked library!

Former SPHPM colleague, Andy McGrath worked at the Alfred Campus for several years prior to moving to Bali for his young son's health in 2014.  Andy is a qualified school teacher, who with his wife Sabrina, set up an Early Learning Centre and now a Primary School (Stella Mundi Primary School). The latter is due to open in Bali later this year.

Leukaemia Foundation fundraiser - your support wanted!

"Blood on the Road" fundraising cycling team:
L-R Huyen Tran, Jacqui Milne and Stephen Opat

“BLOOD ON THE ROAD”….. is riding again for the Leukaemia Foundation. Donate here

22 – 27 April 2017 in JAPAN (Stephen Opat, Huyen Tran, Jacqui Milnes)

Old Xavierians and MAPrc celebrate an 8 year partnership on the de Castella Run

Old Xavierians Athletics Club partner with MAPrc on the de Castella run
2 Mend Minds. Dr Christopher Worsnop, President of OXAC, presented 
a cheque for $60,000 to Prof Jayashri Kulkarni

The de Castella Run, held annually on the last Sunday in August for the last 37 years, has been owned by the Old Xavierians Athletic Club (OXAC) since 2008. OXAC has shared a great partnership with MAPrc  over the last 8 years to raise money to support research into debilitating mental illnesses that are the hardest to treat. During this time the run has become known as the "de Castella Run 2 Mend Minds".

Grow, Dan! Movember is here and so is your chance to contribute

Dan Andrews (Immunology) is doing Movember again this year to raise money for men's health research. He is very high-brow in this picture and adding the Mo-Bro look. Grow for broke, Dan!

Dan did this 3 years ago at the Peter Mac and had a competition where the highest donor got to choose the colour he would dye his  Mo at the end. He will run the same thing here and - bonus! - will also allow the winner to write something on his head for the last day (must be OK to be seen in public!!! 'I am a stupid head' is apparently allowed.....).

See the link for donations and the coloured Mo from last time.

https://au.movember.com/mospace/13407610

Volunteers wanted for The Alfred Hospital at the races on 15 Oct, 30 Oct, 12 Nov

Mongolian Khan's 2015 BMW Caulfield Cup win. Racing.com

Enjoy a day at the Races  and help The Alfred Hospital by volunteering to help on any of the following dates. Volunteers wanted for the following 3 dates, especially 15 Oct.

• BMW Caulfield Cup  - Saturday 15 October
• Mornington Peninsula Cup – Sunday 30 October
• Sandown Races - Saturday 12 November