Sony & Sydney Sixers “You Can Stay”
YOU CAN STAY is an initiative of the Sony Foundation, and provides emergency accommodation for rural teenagers with cancer, and their families, enabling them to travel to the city for life-saving cancer treatment.
The Sony Foundation provides this service at no cost.
Each year the Sydney Sixers join with the Sony Foundation to raise funding and awareness for this outstanding cause, and this year, CRBF Ambassador Jack Gibson, was interviewed with long time friend and team mate Hayden Kerr, together with Captain, Daniel Hughes to promote the game which took place on Saturday 16 January, 2021.
As a significant portion of these young patients are living with a sarcoma diagnosis, we extend our sincere gratitude to both the Sony Foundation and the Sydney Sixers for the work they have done and continue to do, in making the lives of young rural cancer patients and their families, just a little less stressful.
Vale Matt Fisher – An inspiration to so many
Vale Matt Fisher
24 July, 1981 – 08 January, 2020
It is with deep sadness we learned this morning, of the passing of Matthew (Matt) Fisher.
Matt was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in March of 2020 and underwent one of the most gruelling of treatment regimes. His courage and resilience never waned for a moment. His selflessness knew no bounds.
Matt leaves behind his much-adored wife and his “rock”, Naomi, who walked every step of the way beside Matt, whilst juggling the demands of their two precious daughters, Vivienne and Sylvie aged four and one.
There were so many learnings from this young family whose perfect life literally crumbled before them at the hands of sarcoma. Humility and grace in the face of adversity which needed to be witnessed to truly understand, perseverance and determination day after day, despite very little positive news along the way, and a love story like no other which will last forever.
The support of this remarkable young family extended to mum Susan who left her home in Japan, during Covid, to ensure they were never alone, together with that of the extended family. Everyone knew their role, and they each stepped up to ensure Matt, Naomi and the children were shrouded in love.
Yesterday, as per Matt’s wishes, the Matthew Fisher Sarcoma Research Fund was announced. Matt was a scientist and knew the undisputed value scientific research plays in advancing sarcoma. Unsurprisingly, for those who knew Matt, he opted to ensure his legacy was to help those yet to be diagnosed.
To this beautiful family who tonight contemplate life without Matt, we send you love, strength and support, and remind each of you never walk this road alone.
CRBF Memorial T20 Covid cancellation
It is with the deepest regret the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Memorial T20 cricket match.
This event will be back bigger and better in 2022, in time to mark what would have been Cooper’s 23rd birthday.
Join us in taking a trip down memory lane, with the wonderful photos from last year’s event, captured by photographer Katie Hardyman, who donated her professional talent and time to CRBF, to ensure these very special moments were captured for posterity.
Memorial T20 cricket 2020
The Sydney ‘Thunder’s Baxter Holt
Ambassador Baxter Holt takes the field again tonight for the Sydney Thunder against the Melbourne Stars, in the national BBL T20 Series.
Baxter has returned to the field, and is at his brilliant best after a twelve month rehabilitation to overcome a serious back injury.
He is not only one of the serious rising stars in the game of cricket, but an ambassador for CRBF, he is always helping with both sarcoma awareness and lifting the spirits of sarcoma patients when called upon. He is also one of the kindest and most considerate young men you would walk the earth to meet.
We wish Baxter and the Sydney Thunder every success in his game tonight.
Vince’s Marathon for Sarcoma
Congratulations to Vince Umbers, who completed a full 42.2km marathon on Saturday!
Vince ran this insane distance in honour of his dear friend, and CRBF Patient Advocate, Jack Gibson who was part of Vince’s support crew on the day.
On top of the rigorous training regime, Vince has been working overtime raising money, and has topped over $5000, all of which is heading straight to sarcoma research!
From all at CRBF, we would like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to Vince, for the hours of training and hard work that went into this event, to each of his outstanding support team on the day, and to the profound generosity of Vince’s supporters, for their donations.
All monies raised from Vince’s runs will go directly to the IL-23 sarcoma specific sub-study, at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research which is scheduled to commence early in 2021.
NOA Vision 20-30. Hope for the future
Monday 9 November, marked the launch of the National Oncology Alliance (NOA) Vision 20-30, with a three hour conference hosting major stakeholders, including hosting leading Australian oncologists and researchers, together with presentations from cancer patients and families.
It was three hours that provided hope for the future for those living with a cancer diagnosis, with a particular emphasis on those living with a rare cancer diagnosis. Vision 20-30 will place the magnifying glass on the current systems, and how they fit within the global context, with particular alignment to cell therapies, genomics and personalised therapeutics.
With support from the Minderoo Foundation, the Federal Government, and Rare Cancers Australia, Vision 20-30 will form the basis for advancing cancer in Australia.
Read the full report by pressing the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/thry781cf7vy5b6/NOA_Vision20-30%20FA%20r2%20Digital.pdf?dl=0
2020 City to Surf – Sprint for sarcoma
Sunday saw the running of the 2020 City to Surf virtual event.
While this year, we were unable to run as part of a large team as we have done in past years, CRBF was fortunate to have teams competing in many parts of Sydney.
We were truly humbled by the support, and whilst we are still yet to finalise the total figure for monies raised on the day, initial reports would suggest sarcoma research will be the big winner, with 100% of funds raised directed to the IL-23 sarcoma sub-study, at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. https://www.trialsitenews.com/the-force-of-cooper-rice-brading-the-garvan-institute-research-in-australia-will-include-il23-in-sarcoma-clinical-trial/
Our heartfelt thanks to each of our outstanding participants who were prepared to compete, despite the miserable weather forecast.
Mark the 2021 event in your diary , and we will see you all again next year!
CAR-T cell immunotherapy
A project harnessing modified immune cells to target cancers will see Sydney leading innovative cancer therapies.
The University of Sydney and Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) have announced the execution of an agreement with biopharmaceutical company, Biosceptre (BCIQ), to establish a new research program on CAR-T cell immunotherapy, at Westmead, Western Sydney.
To read more about this remarkable research, and Dr Patrick Schlegel, the German paediatric oncologist, and leader in CAR-T technology, who will be leading the Sydney research team, press the link below
A new biomarker for osteosarcoma
A team of scientists led by Western Australian based scientist Dr. Emel Rothzerg – School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of The University of Western Australia, in Perth (Australia) and the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science in Nedlands (Australia), reports an association between osteosarcoma and abnormal alternative splicing of the leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LEPROT).
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1535370220949139