Category: Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation

International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global collaborative campaign on the 15th February, to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. (ICCD, 2021)

Every year, more than 400,000 children and AYA’s are diagnosed with cancer, with Sarcoma accounting for up to 20% of these diagnoses.

As the sun sets on the 2021 ICCD, we recognise and silently support those young patients and their families walking this road, and cherish the memory of those whose lives have been lost.

We thank those remarkable individuals and organisations who are immersed in childhood cancer. From the dedicated paediatric, and adolescent and young adult, nurses, specialist support staff, and medical oncology teams, to the passionate researchers working tirelessly towards a cure, the state and federal governments for their ongoing commitment to advancing children’s cancer research, and finally, the not-for-profit organisations, often driven by personal and devastating loss, which help support the research into a cure.

Each of these bodies and individuals has an equally important role to play, as we strive collaboratively to find a cure for all childhood cancers.

Associate Professor Paul Craft has been acknowledged for his dedication and commitment to oncology and professional organisations, in the Australia Day Honours list, awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Professor Craft has a special interest in sarcoma, and forms part of the ACT region’s Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Team.

Since 1988 Professor Craft  has contributed significantly to Australian medical committees, councils and organisations including the ACT Health Research Ethics Committee, ACT Cancer Council, Royal Australian College of Physicians, and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.

Today, we sadly farewelled (Dr) Matt Fisher at a beautiful service in Canberra. Matt tragically lost his life to sarcoma on January 8.

Professor Craft was Matt’s oncologist and there was never any doubt how highly Matt regarded this very special man.

Matt was a scientist and understood well the hard work, experience and dedication it takes to make a significant footprint in a gruelling speciality such as oncology.  

From all at the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation and the sarcoma community, we extend our heartiest congratulations to Professor Craft, AM, and our deepest gratitude for the profound difference he makes in the lives of cancer patients.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!