A significant donation to Border Medical Oncology will secure clinical trials for ovarian cancer for the next three years, crucial to developments in research and treatment.
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The Border Ovarian Cancer Awareness Luncheon at the weekend saw $108,570 donated to the research unit as the Kelsey Watts Memorial Ovarian Cancer Research Grant.
Oncologist Christopher Steer found it hard to put into words how much the contribution meant.
“It will fund a research nurse two days a week for three years – that is astounding – it’s so positive for maintaining the clinical trials which is core business for us,” he said.
“It maintains the position of ovarian cancer being a priority in our research unit.
“There’s a shrinking pool of funds and this gives so much certainty and clarity.
“We’re learning about what causes different types of ovarian cancers and that may lead to improvements in treatment.”
More than 90 people attended the event, including Health Minister Sussan Ley.
A raffle for 52 prizes raised money for the Border Ovarian Cancer Awareness Group, and Elders Real Estate Albury/Wodonga pledged a percentage of the next year’s sales to their efforts.
The latest in gynaecological cancer research was presented by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre head of Cancer Genetics and Genomics Laboratory David Bowtell.
Professor Bowtell was among the group to tour inside the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.
For Dr Steer, who has campaigned for the centre since 2003, seeing the centre nearly at its completion was a highlight.
“It was very heartening to see the stage that it’s up to,” he said.
“It is going to be a cancer centre in the true sense of the word and the vision we had years ago is being realised and we are extremely happy about that.”
Dr Steer said the centre would be crucial in helping services collaborate on work.
“Personally I think it will change practices in ways in which we are yet to realise,” he said.