Communities

We worked with our communities, building momentum for change.

Story collaborations

Thank you to all our story holders who generously shared their experiences with us and our donors this year to help raise vital funds for new GI cancer research.

Image of Anika

Anika’s story

For young mum Anika Millington, a sudden diagnosis of colorectal cancer was life-changing. Anika is among the growing number of younger people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer. Many don’t experience any symptoms at all until the cancer is quite advanced – or the symptoms are vague enough to attribute to other causes.

“It was a shock at first because this just does not happen to 36-year-old mothers of three, who are healthy and fit and eat well and don’t smoke,” says Anika.
Read Anika’s story
Image of Jodie with her family and dogImage of Jodie with her family and dogImage of Jodie with her family and dog

Jodie’s story

Jodie's journey with colorectal cancer taught her that life has unexpected turning points. At 44, running her café and working 60-hour weeks, she brushed off her fatigue as just work stress. It wasn't until a friend shared his wife's story of being diagnosed at 34 that she finally made that crucial doctor's appointment. That decision saved her life.

“I gave my business away and now I can spend time with my daughters. It’s given me clarity – I can share my story and hopefully help to make our care system a little better,” says Jodie.
Read Jodie’s story
Image of Jolene

Jolene’s story

Jolene led a busy, full life as a phlebotomist for a medical lab, raising two teenage daughters and working in her garden in her spare time. She had just celebrated her big milestone birthday when she started experiencing some bleeding from the bowels.

She went to her GP who ordered a colonoscopy. Jolene thought she must be overreacting. But when the procedure was over, the surgeon asked her to call her husband.

“That’s when I knew it wasn’t good. I felt numb,” says Jolene.
Read Jolene’s story
Image of Rochelle

Rochelle’s story

When Rochelle Hutson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at just 36, she felt underprepared, to say the least.

Living in Aotearoa New Zealand, Rochelle was juggling, work, study and life as a mum of three. When her partner was posted to Canberra, Australia for his job, she first started experiencing symptoms. The surgeon told her the tumour had probably been there for about ten years.

“I compare it all with breast cancer. All the poo cancers are a lot less attractive, so we don’t get the attention, which means we don’t get the funding, so we don’t get the same research,” says Rochelle.
Read Rochelle’s story
Image of Haryana

Haryana’s story

Haryana Dhillon, psycho-oncologist and behavioural scientist, received the prestigious John Zalcberg AO Award in November for her significant and outstanding leadership in GI cancer research for many years.

While Haryana was not initially certain about becoming a psycho-oncologist, she pursued the career with determination.

“Having experienced the relatively rapid death of my Dad from widespread metastatic cancer when I was a teenager gave me firsthand experience of cancer’s impact on individuals, families, and the wider community, and the curiosity to want to understand how to make the experience less painful,” says Haryana.
Read Haryana’s story

Another year of impactful community funding

Community fundraising plays a crucial role in advancing innovative GI cancer research.

We are deeply grateful to all our fundraisers and supporters for their outstanding contributions in 2024. Thanks to your generosity, we can sustain and grow life-saving clinical trial research.

Every Gutsy Challenge and community event we've been part of has been a massive success and together, we raised an incredible $370,000.

A heartfelt thank you to all our storytellers who graciously shared their experiences with us and our donors this year. Your contributions have been instrumental in raising vital funds for new gastrointestinal cancer research.

Here is a snapshot of our community supported and fundraising events in 2024.

Image from the Alex and Adam Memorial Golf Day

Each February, GI Cancer Institute CAP member, John Paduano, hosts the Alex and Adam Memorial Golf Day. This is held in memory of his son Alex who lost his battle with bowel cancer in 2016. With special thanks to Mollymook Golf Club, they raised over $12,000 for GI cancer research.

Image of Brad Ryan and his team at Coeus Advisers

In May 2024, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Brad Ryan and his team at Coeus Advisers partnered with the GI Cancer Institute to raise funds and awareness for bowel cancer research. Brad raised over $40,000, demonstrating the power of networking and spreading awareness about a worthy cause to a group of colleagues and friends.

Image of Denise Lindsell and Brooke Smeekens Coleman

In June, two incredible community fundraisers, Denise Lindsell and Brooke Smeekens Coleman, held a Black Tie fundraiser in Kununurra, Western Australia. The Gala raised an incredible $117,244, with proceeds being split between GI Cancer Institute and Bowel Cancer Australia.

Image from the ‘Putt for Kaz’ Charity Golf Day

In August, Blake Creighton held the ‘Putt for Kaz’ Charity Golf Day in memory of his mother Karen, who passed away from stomach cancer. Over $20,000 was raised on the day!

Image from the Lachlan Kean Foundation (LKF) Inaugural ‘Disco Nights’ Charity Gala

In September, we were honoured to attend the Lachlan Kean Foundation (LKF) Inaugural ‘Disco Nights’ Charity Gala. The LKF very generously presented the GI Cancer Institute with a $70,000 donation to support the bowel cancer research trials that we conduct.

Image of the Riversdale Golf Club's Women's Charity Committee

For two years running, the Riversdale Golf Club's Women's Charity Committee chose to fundraise for the GI Cancer Institute on behalf of one of their beloved members who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In total, the club has raised close to $24,000.

Gutsy Challenge: Adventures, support, engagement and fundraising!

By participating in a Gutsy Challenge, individuals join a committed team aimed at advancing GI cancer research and enhancing treatment options for those impacted by digestive cancers.

In 2024 we held a Gutsy Challenge in the Grampians and our annual trek in the Blue Mountains.

Image from the Grampain Gutsy Challenge

Grampians, March 2024

Eight Gutsy Challenge Trekkers
$31,000 raised

“It was a very challenging and fulfilling experience with terrific people all focused on one goal,” says Professor Rob Ramsay, Trek Leader.
Read more about the trek
Image from the Blue Mountains Gutsy Challenge

Blue Mountains, September 2024

11 Gutsy Challenge Trekkers
$20,000 raised

“I was inspired by meeting my fellow trekkers, learning about their motivations forgetting involved. It was humbling to see cancer survivors challenging themselves and friends walking for friends who have recently had a loved one die due to GI cancer. There are so many ways to express our love and support in challenging times - doing a Gutsy Challenge can be one of them,” says Professor Haryana Dhillon, Trek Leader.
Read more about the trek

Honour roll

We gratefully acknowledge the generosity and commitment of our donors, whose support advanced GI cancer research throughout 2024.

$10,000+

Individual

  • Christine Bishop
  • Denise Dunphy
  • Doug and Amanda Burnett
  • Eileen and Rob Gehling AO
  • Jan Burnett
  • Jane Hemstritch AO
  • John Hull
  • Lis Boyce
  • Michelle Groves
  • Silvia Woodhead
  • William and Susan Andrews
  • Yvonne Horton

Organisations and Foundations

  • Alcheringa Farming Company Pty Ltd - Mt Burdett Foundation
  • Lachlan Kean Foundation
  • Opera in the Gardens
  • Perpetual Philanthropic Services
  • Randall Foundation
  • Riversdale Golf Club
  • The Margaret Miller Foundation
  • Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Estate

  • Estate of the late Irene Adams
  • Estate of the late Iris Ivy Cochran
  • Estate of the late Kenneth Alfred Iles
  • Estate of the late Monica Bernadette Nolen
  • Estate of the late Mr Louis Beens
  • Estate of the late Nathalie Kulakowski
  • Estate of the late Ralph Colin Murdoch Toplis
  • Estate of the late S.T.A.F. - Muriel Gauder
  • Estate of the late Susan Joan Cross
  • Estate of the late William Frederick Fechner

$1,000 - $9,999

Individual

  • Alexander and Melanie Kedzior
  • Allan Forbes
  • Allan Goodrich
  • Allyn Colgan
  • Andrew and Susan Magroglou
  • Andrew Kedzior
  • Ann Korner
  • Anthony Desormiere
  • Antony Southwell
  • B Rattray
  • Bhaskar and Chelana Desai
  • Bill Clifton
  • Braden Green
  • Brian Ward
  • Bronwyn Myrtle
  • Cal Horton
  • Catherine Marshall
  • Chris Conley
  • Christopher Meaney
  • Cindy Wei
  • Clarence Gibbons
  • Dahlia Fried
  • Daniel Goulburn OAM and Family
  • David Banks
  • David Kessler
  • Dennis Lovatt
  • Don Harris
  • Dora Van Niekerk
  • Elisabeth Weise
  • Emilie Keen
  • Eric Gayfer
  • Eva Shand
  • Evelyn Chan
  • Fiona Lindsell
  • Geoff Wilkinson
  • Geoffrey Baker
  • Geraldine Murdoch
  • Gerard Power
  • Graham Gunn
  • Graham Stevens
  • Grahame Cook
  • Guy and Margaux Smith
  • Gwenneth Roberts
  • Ian Edney
  • J and P Sullivan
  • James Cox
  • James Kelly
  • Jane Burchnall
  • Jane Kift
  • Janet Pruden
  • Janice Heaslip
  • Jared Keen
  • Jennifer Hodge
  • Jeremy Maycock
  • Jill Lauder
  • Jim Crowley
  • Joan Allen
  • Jodi Todd
  • John and Dianne Ryall
  • John Bojczuk
  • John Gerrand
  • John Rose
  • Joy Conner
  • K Emery
  • Kate Stokes OAM
  • Kaye Smith
  • Kees and Robyn Payens
  • Ken Todd
  • Kristina Di Marco
  • Lee Cassoff
  • Louise Keady
  • Margaret Banks
  • Margaret Parsons
  • Marie Miller
  • Marisa Zavattaro
  • Mark Thiel
  • Maureen Gibson
  • Michael Chaseling
  • Michelle and Shane Elkin
  • Nicholas Apostolidis
  • Peter Griffiths
  • Peter Lemon
  • Phillip and Ruth Shirriff
  • Priscilla Donald
  • Richard Kearney
  • Rick Mitchell
  • Robert Hincks
  • Robyn Kentish
  • Rosanne Tucker
  • Ross Kimber
  • Rozanne Butcher
  • Sandra Hinchey
  • Scott Johnston
  • Stephen Howlett
  • Steve Jones
  • Steven Boal and Jena Kingsley
  • Susan Colliton
  • Sylvia Candy
  • The Stenton Family
  • Tim Desilets
  • Trevor Bice
  • Valerie Newman
  • Vince Colagiuri
  • Wanda McPherson
  • Wendy Glassman
  • Will Griffin
  • William and Marjorie McKenzie
  • William Childs
  • Yong Chua

Members

  • Desmond Yip
  • Matthew Burge
  • Rosemary Taylor

Organisations and Foundations

  • BODYSYSTEM Physio
  • Cessnock High School
  • Coeus Advisers Pty Ltd
  • Earl Taylor Car Centre Trust
  • Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation
  • H & H Canteens
  • Manly Lions Club
  • Pfeiffer Wines
  • The Curavis Fund
  • Triple L Pty Ltd

Pledged Bequests

  • Andrew Wells
  • Bruce Holzhauser
  • Carole Tremblay
  • Chitra De Silva
  • Chriss Johnstone
  • Clarence Gibbons
  • Eileen Mason
  • Fay Ma
  • Gary Reid
  • Helen Illsley
  • Helen McMahon
  • Ian Hawkins
  • Isabel Kirsh
  • Janette Mutton
  • Jenny Wells
  • Joan Gibson
  • John Stokes
  • Jonathan Wright
  • Keith Little
  • Kerry Croydon
  • Leonie Shearing
  • Mary Clift
  • Nella Calati
  • Neville Gallard
  • Nicky Lancaster
  • Paul Wedd
  • Peter Learmonth
  • Robert Cabion
  • Ruth Henwood
  • Sarah McGoram
  • Susan Wong

Community-funded research in 2024

The community helped to fund four studies this year:

  • The BIL-PPP study aims to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two drugs used together as ongoing treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, after they have completed initial chemotherapy. It is open for patient enrolment in Victoria, with sites in New South Wales to come.
  • NEO-IMPACT is a pilot study investigating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy prior to surgery for early-stage pancreatic cancer treatment. The NEO-IMPACT translational substudy is exploring the role of the gut microbiome in the pancreatic cancer journey. The trial successfully completed patient recruitment in 2024 and is now in data analysis.
  • PemOla aims to understand whether patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer will respond well to a combination of pembrolizumab and olaparib. We aim to open this study in mid-2025.
  • STOPNET is investigating whether people who have NETs benefit from receiving ongoing monthly injections of somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy after their disease has progressed. Removing these injections could improve patient quality of life by reducing toxicity, and could substantially reduce healthcare costs, allowing better resource allocation for Australians. This trial opened to patients in 2024.