UOW hosts cancer research donor function

Nov 16, 2006

The Illawarra Cancer Carers and Robert East Memorial Fund have raised almost $250,000 over the past year for cancer research, and yesterday (Wednesday 15 November) the University of Wollongong hosted an official function including a cheque presentation to recognise these significant donations.

The money raised has already provided a major boost to the research at UOW into the new anti-cancer drug formulation project. The new formulation of drug components has shown considerable promise against cancer cells and is now being tested in animals.

Professor John Bremner from the Faculty of Science and Honorary Clinical Professor Philip Clingan have been leading the project and, after the animal experiments, they hope to further develop this drug combination for use in humans. If successful, the drug combination should greatly ease painful side effects on drug administration and be more effective in the treatment of certain cancers such as colo-rectal cancer.

They both spoke at the function about the achievements made possible by the donations toward their research, as well as the progress they are making in the search for an effective formulation for anti-cancer therapy.

Illawarra Cancer Carers is a non-profit organisation based at Wollongong Hospital. The group has managed to raise $200,000 towards cancer research at the University.

The Robert East Memorial Fund has also contributed $47,000. The late Robert East was a prominent and respected member of the Kiama community. He served as the Deputy Mayor from 2004 and was also responsible for establishing and operating East’s Beach Holiday Park.

He was also heavily involved with Kiama Rotary Club, which has also been a generous donor to cancer research at UOW. Mr East died in January 2006 of bowel cancer and the establishment of the Robert East Memorial Fund soon followed. Donations were received from the sale of Mr East’s autobiography (Just a Farmer at Heart) and local residents and community business and organisations contributed at Mr East’s funeral.

The donors function was attended by local MP, Sharon Bird; Mayor of Kiama, Sandra McCarthy; President of the Illawarra Cancer Carers, Mr Rex Saunders as well as family and friends of Robert East and UOW senior executive and deans.