UPDATE: IMB was proud to help raise almost $500 at it's first Australia's Biggest Morning Tea on 23 May in support of Cancer Council Queensland.
Every day, scientists at The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience pour their hearts and minds into their research to beat cancer.
But on 23 May, they will pour themselves a cuppa when the Institute’s researchers, postgraduate students and support staff come together to help raise vital funds for Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
They will join more than 6700 Queenslanders who will host a morning tea this May and June, raising funds for Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ) to invest in some of the state’s most promising cancer researchers.
One of these researchers is IMB’s Dr Irina Vetter, who has been awarded CCQ funding to support her cancer research project.
“As a scientist and recipient of a Cancer Council research grant, I thank all Queenslanders who have raised their cups in support of cancer research during the past 20 years,” she said.
“Good research can take many years and requires long term funding to take a discovery from the laboratory to the patient, with many stages of development and approvals in between.
“Thanks to CCQ and the dollars raised by its dedicated supporters, investment in cancer research in Queensland has continued to grow and this is something we can all be proud of when we pour ourselves a cuppa this May.”
CCQ spokesperson Katie Clift called on all Queenslanders to put the kettle on and take some time out to help in the fight against cancer.
“During the past 20 years we have seen cancer survival rates improve and many life-saving discoveries made, and the work of researchers like Dr Vetter continues to give us hope that together we will beat cancer,” she said.
Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea has raised more than $110 million across the country since the event began in 1993.
This year, CCQ hopes to raise $2.5 million state-wide to support its vital cancer research and support programs.
“Because of the dedication of our Biggest Morning Tea hosts during the past 20 years, the future for the 1 in 2 Queenslanders who will be diagnosed with cancer will continue to improve,” Ms Clift said.
“I encourage everyone to tea-up your friends, families and workmates and help us celebrate this important community milestone by hosting a morning tea this May or June.”
To host your own morning tea visit biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.
To make a difference by supporting cancer research at IMB, please phone 3346 2132 or visit www.imb.uq.edu.au/donate
ENDS
For more information, photo opportunities and interviews, contact:
IMB – Bronwyn Adams, Communications Officer – 0418 575 247 or 07 3346 2134
BACKGROUND NOTES
The Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) is a research institute of The University of Queensland that aims to improve quality of life by advancing personalised medicine, drug discovery and biotechnology.
Dr Irina Vetter is investigating the mechanisms behind painful sensory disturbances, such as why touching cool objects hurts during certain types of chemotherapy. Dr Vetter’s research aims to increase our understanding of the sensory system at the molecular level, which will have important implications for many diseases involving dysfunctional sensory neuron, including cancer-induced pain.
