Rachel Pavitt - Rumery

Day 1

Today is day 1 of SurFebruary! 

SurFebruary is a fun annual event in where participants raise money for cancer research by catching a wave or getting in the water every day – rain, hail or shine.

This philanthropic, grassroots event is now in its seventh year and is building serious momentum, more than doubling in size and donations year-on-year. Over the years a total of 3000 participants have raised over $1.1million for innovative cancer research and treatment through the Chris O’Brien Life House 

2024 funded programs include 

• Optimising outcomes of Facial Nerve Palsy following Parotid Gland Cancer Surgery
• Investigating Novel In-vivo Quantification of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
• Pre-operative Laser Hair Removal from Free Flap Donor Sites in Oral Cavity Reconstruction
• Hydrogel Microcapsule Hybrid Implant for steroid delivery to treat granulation tissue after oral cancer surgery
• And one close to home for me after losing my aunty to Glioblastoma: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and most deadly type of brain cancer in adults, with patients surviving just 13 months on average after diagnosis. Recently, a less aggressive type of brain tumour called IDH-wildtype low-grade glioma was discovered. These tumours share genetic changes with GBM but tend to have much better outcomes, with patients surviving longer. Although scientists have studied the genetics of IDHS extensively, these efforts haven’t yet led to new treatments or better understanding. This research aims to explore RNA—a molecule that translates the instructions in DNA—and how changes to RNA may influence tumour growth. Using advanced techniques like long-read sequencing and spatial transcriptomics (to map molecular patterns in tumour tissues), researchers will examine how IDH cells interact and behave. The team has tumour samples from 20 IDH patients, and this research will explore whether these tumours represent an early form of GBM or a distinct new tumour type altogether. The goals with the SurFebruary funding are to create better diagnostic tests and treatments for IDH patients, learn why patients with IDH live longer compared to GBM patients and discover new treatments to make GBM less aggressive and improve survival rates. 

In honour of my aunty Robbie (and of many loved ones we have lost) I will be surfing or swimming every day this month with our team the Mid Coast Frothers. If you can sponsor us that would be amazing!