- Hundreds of runners and walkers are keeping a baton moving around the clock in Melbourne as part of a unique fundraising event and Guinness World Record attempt.
- Money raised through the Conquer Cancer relay will support The Florey’s brain cancer researchers and children’s cancer charity Camp Quality.
- The event is running 24 hours a day during May and aims to cover more than 6,500kms.
Brain cancer researchers from The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health have briefly swapped their lab coats and pipettes for active wear and a baton – all for a good cause.
The researchers are among more than 600 people taking part in Conquer Cancer, a relay running for four consecutive weeks around Melbourne’s Princes Park.
Conquer Cancer was founded by Ben Jeffrey, whose father passed away from brain cancer when he was just a child, and his good friend Peter Christen.
The pair aim to raise $1 million for The Florey and Camp Quality to support brain cancer research and families affected by cancer, and to set a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous relay.
Running for research
Professor Lucy Palmer, who leads brain cancer research at The Florey, is among 16 researchers from her lab participating in the relay.
“We’re thrilled to be taking part in an event that will support our team to continue to advance our understanding of brain cancer,” Professor Palmer says.
“Brain cancer is unique, but we’re making new discoveries in the lab all the time. Every day brings us closer to new therapies for this devastating disease.”
Sam Combes, a PhD student from the Palmer lab, is leading fundraising efforts to date.
“Through my PhD research at The Florey, I see firsthand how funding contributes to critical breakthroughs and better outcomes for patients and families,” Sam says. “On a personal level, people in my family and close to me have been affected by cancer.”
Sam’s research focuses on gliomas which are among the most aggressive, deadly and common brain cancers.
“Despite decades of research, patient survival has barely improved. One major reason is that we still treat these tumours as isolated masses of cancer cells. But we now know something fundamentally different – gliomas are actually integrated into brain circuits,” Sam says.
“My research asks a simple but powerful question: What if brain activity itself is driving tumour growth – and what if we can interrupt that?”
A community effort
The event kicked off on May 2 with Olympic speed walker Jemima Montag, Melbourne Lord Mayor Cr Nicholas Reece, and former Melbourne Storm rugby player Christian Welch among the first runners.
The Florey’s Executive Director, Professor Peter van Winjgaarden, a champion ultra-marathon runner, is excited to join the field.
“It’s fantastic to be involved in this amazing community event in support of brain cancer – it truly is a community effort,” Professor van Winjgaarden says.
“Brain cancer research at The Florey is very much about looking at the crosstalk between tumour cells and healthy brain cells, and a new and major discovery that was recently made by the team is that this crosstalk can actually drive the cancer invasion into the brain.
“It’s hoped this research will drive new treatments and improve outcomes for those affected by brain cancer.”
The event runs until May 31. Donations can be made through the Conquer Cancer website.
Learn more about The Florey’s brain cancer research here.
