Communities

We worked with our communities, building momentum for change and ensuring relational accountability.

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.

Russell’s story

In August of 2022, Russell Conley, AGITG’s Chief Executive Officer, was diagnosed with anal cancer and metastatic rectal cancer. Russell publicly shared his cancer journey to raise awareness and reduce the stigma often attached to GI cancers.

“Having lived the experience of being treated for cancer, for a cancer that treatments have not progressed terribly much over the last decades… investment in research is paramount to increasing the chance of survival for patients,” says Russell.
Read Russell's story

Katie’s story

Katie Bryant, a pancreatic cancer survivor and former GI Cancer Institute volunteer, shared her journey and experiences of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at an early age with us for the end of year fundraising appeal.

“There is no right or wrong reaction to cancer. We’re all different people with different reactions and ways of coping,” says Katie
Read Katie's story
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Alan and Christine’s story

In 2002, Alan Bishop, a healthy 60-year-old, active golfer and full time Judge, was diagnosed with a Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) in the stomach. Alan had surgery and following recovery he started a trial of targeted therapy. Having realised that medical trials had given him a second chance at life, Alan became a strong advocate for their benefits. He was invited to join the Board of AGITG where he remained as a Director for five years until his passing. He championed the idea of a Consumer Advisory Panel.

A big thank you to Christine Bishop, AGITG Director, for sharing her and Alan’s journey this year.

Grant’s story

Grant is 48, has two beautiful teenage daughters, a wonderful wife, a job he loves and recently joined the AGITG as a Board Director. He is grateful for the life he now leads because when he was diagnosed with a GI cancer called neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) a few years ago, his whole world fell apart. 

“I had two choices: to act like the sky had fallen in, or to fight it,” says Grant.
Read Grant's story

Awareness and engagement

Is your pancreas trying to get your attention?

In September, a pancreatic cancer awareness campaign was launched to educate Australians on the signs and symptoms of this deadly cancer and empower them to speak with their GP if they were concerned. The campaign was run through the Tonic Media health network in over 3,500 GP offices around the country, and helped improve GP knowledge of the disease and available clinical trials as well. The campaign was extended into social media and roadside billboards for greater impact.  

Thank you to the generous philanthropists who helped fund this important campaign to help address low levels of awareness about pancreatic cancer.

View the campaign webpage
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GI Cancer Institute in the news

A PR campaign in November continued the focus on pancreatic cancer awareness and highlighted the upcoming PemOla clinical trial and importance of continued funding for research.

The campaign achieved 135 items of coverage with an estimated reach of 24.1 million Australians, including coverage on ABC News, Channel 7 News Cairns, 9News, 9Honey and that’s life magazine.

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In conversation with Julie McCrossin AM

As part of our growing focus on creating equitable research, we published the In conversation with Julie McCrossin AM video series highlighting important conversations about equity, diversity and inclusion within clinical trials. 

The series features short, thought-provoking bursts of discussion around and across the GI cancer experience with insights from Community Advisory Panel members Christie Ah-Fa and Madison Shakespeare, and AGITG members Dr Abhijit Pal and Prof Sabe Sabesan. 

View whole series
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Another year of impactful community funding

Community funding is vital to enable the AGITG to continue investing in the future of innovative GI cancer research. 

We want to express our deep gratitude to all our fundraisers and supporters for their amazing efforts in 2023. It is thanks to you, that we can continue to fund 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 $188,000.

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.

Here is a snapshot of our community supported and fundraising events in 2023. 

John Paduano hosted his annual golf day at Mollymook Golf Club and raised over $10,000 to support GI cancer research in memory of his son Alex who passed away from bowel cancer in 2018. 

The incredible team at Cox Automotive raised close to $10,000 as part of a matched-giving program tied to their STEPtember event to support research into linitis plastica, a rare type of stomach cancer.

Jackie Green raised $5,000 from her heavy metal benefit concert in honour of her husband David, who sadly passed away from oesophageal cancer. 

The community of Goondiwindi in regional QLD raised over $29,000 to support bowel cancer research during their annual Opera in the Gardens event. Many thanks to their business sponsors and the local community for their support. 

Lewis Moes took on an epic run along the entire length of the Sunshine Coast and raised over $15,000 to honour the 10-year anniversary of his father’s passing from oesophageal cancer.

Our friends at the Mike Leeke Golf Day raised $5,000 for bowel cancer research in memory of their sport-loving friend Mike Leeke, who sadly passed from bowel cancer in 2018.

Gutsy Challenge: More than seven years of adventures

When taking on a Gutsy Challenge, participants join an amazing team of people who are all committed to supporting GI cancer research and seeing improvements in treatments for those diagnosed with digestive cancers.

In 2023 we travelled close to home with two treks in the Blue Mountains and one in Aotearoa New Zealand!

Blue Mountains, February 2023

19 Gutsy Challenge Trekkers
$37,000 raised

“The experience is wholesome, enjoyable, accessible and noble in its cause. I loved it from start to end,” says Ambreen, trek participant.
Read article

Blue Mountains, September 2023

18 Gutsy Challenge Trekkers
$28,000 raised

“My patients are inspiring and gutsy, and they deserve our support!” says Dr Megan Barnet, trek leader.
Read article

Crater Rim Trail, Aotearoa New Zealand, November 2023

7 Gutsy Challenge Trekkers
$35,000 raised

“Clinical trials research is the way forward. With the funds raised on my trek, I want to ensure GI cancer patients have the best possible chance to live and thrive,” says Joanne, trek participant.
Read article

Community-funded research in 2023

The community helped to fund three new studies this year:

  • A NEO-IMPACT translational substudy is exploring the role of the gut microbiome in the pancreatic cancer journey.
  • STING is aiming to determine if a novel biomarker could impact the response of a patient with gastroesophageal cancer to treatment.
  • STOPNET is aiming to improve quality of life for people with neuroendocrine tumours, saving them time, energy and resources at the most vulnerable time of their lives.

Community funding also supported the following studies:

  • 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.
  • The purpose of the PALEO study is to investigate the effects of the addition of stereotactic body radiotherapy to treatment with nivolumab in people with oesophageal cancer that has spread to another area of the body.
  • PemOla aims to understand whether patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer will respond well to a combination of pembrolizumab and olaparib.

What’s more, the community-funded Innovation Grant was awarded to Dr David Liu’s research concept called OMEGCA, which aims to develop a sensitive test that can detect if a difficult-to-find cancer has spread.

Learn more about the 2023 Innovation Grant