Victorian grain growers experiencing one of the best seasons in recent memory are being asked to donate some of their harvest this year to help fight cancer.
Key points:
- Fundraiser Grain for Hope is raising money for cancer research
- The research, by the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, is focused on how the immune system can target cancer cells
- CHS Broadbent says the company will be kicking off the fundraiser with a 100-tonne grain donation
The Grain for Hope campaign is a joint venture between CHS Broadbent and the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI), Australia's only regionally based cancer research centre.
Michael Broadbent, chief operating officer with CHS Broadbent, said the company would be kicking off the fundraiser with a 100-tonne grain donation.
"Cancer is a crippling disease. it's important to us because cancer affects a lot of people," he said.
Taken too soon
Jim Liston lost his brother Tony, 57, to cancer this year after being diagnosed in March.
"Tony was always interested in farming. He loved every day of it," the Stockyard Hill mixed farmer said.
"He was a happy-go-lucky character, had a very strong work ethic."
"Poor old Tony, [the cancer] started in his groin area and spread through his lymph system, and by the time they got onto it, there was a rouge cell."
Mr Liston said his brother had to go through intensive chemotherapy.
"The cancer was so persistent. It didn't matter what treatment they threw at Tony. His determination was unbelievable," he said.
"But unfortunately, the doctors just could not stop this cell that kept mutating, it spread through his whole body."
Despite the pain and challenges, Mr Liston said Tony did not let the situation get him down.
"He just wanted to talk about the seasons, who's doing what and how everyone else was getting on," he said.
"While it was tough, that was his way through it. Just to keep on thinking about the good things in life."
Tony is survived by his three sons, all in their twenties and his wife, Fiona.
Mr Liston also lost another brother, Frank, 56, to lung cancer 10 years ago.
"Frank thought he had a bad back one day, had lower back pain but found out there was a lump," he said.
"That was lung cancer and he lasted about 12 months after he was diagnosed."
"I think [the fundraiser] is a great thing. Any money going to research to fight [cancer] is a good thing."
Improving treatment
Professor George Kannourakis, Institute Director at FECRI, based in Ballarat, said the research was focused on the immune system and cancer.
"It is hoped that by identifying proteins on the surface of cancer cells, druggable targets can be developed to allow the immune system to attack the cancer, without chemotherapy and radiation."
"We as an organisation plan and rely heavily on a number of fundraising events throughout the year as well as the generous support of the community."
"Unfortunately, the pandemic has put a stop to many of those events, greatly reducing research funds over the past 18 months."
Professor Kannourakis said all cancers had a unique "barcode" of proteins, and the institute is researching how antibodies can be used to target these cells specifically.
"Once we've formed antibodies, we can then use a cocktail of those antibodies to treat each individual cancer," he said.
He said, hopefully, in the future, when somebody is diagnosed with cancer, it will be a quick biopsy to work out which proteins they had.
"Then give them these [specialised] antibodies, and hopefully that's all the treatment they need, so no surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy."
"That's what we think will be the future of cancer."
Mr Broadbent said farmers who wanted to support the campaign could donate grain at receival sites in Lakaput, Lake Bolac and Ballarat.
"A farmer can donate 100 kilograms or 100 tonnes, whatever they feel they can donate," he said.
"Hopefully, it will help get some much-needed funds for cancer research."