29 June 2009

The 'Best Things In Life' dinner held at the Taronga Zoo Function Centre in Sydney on June 25 was an enormous success for the ANPCRF.

As well as heightening the awareness of pancreatic cancer to a broader business community, the evening raised over $240,000 to add to the Fund's goal of achieving $1 million towards research trials.

Hosted by Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe and an array of Woolworths senior management, the 250 guests celebrated the foresight and determination that Avner Nahmani demonstrated in co-founding the Fund with his wife Caroline, with the hope of bringing more optimistic outcomes to future pancreatic cancer sufferers.

Speakers included Avner's widow - Caroline Kelly, Michael Luscombe, His Honour Alan Bishop, Acting Chairman and Board of Directors, and Professor Michael Findlay, Deputy Chairman, Acting Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee from the GI Cancer Institute and Ambassador to the Fund, Dr Norman Swan. All spoke passionately about the desperate need to bring this little known cancer into the spotlight and the importance of dedicated research trials to start bringing a change to a disease that has seen no real medical advancement in four decades.

A cheque for $261,635 was presented to the GI Cancer Institute as a first instalment for the commencement of research trials. This amount was raised from fundraising events and donations prior to the dinner.

On behalf of the Fund, Caroline Kelly together with family friend and colleague to Avner, Grant O'Brien, recognised the contribution of many in achieving the momentum that has driven the Fund an impressive distance in less than twelve months. In particular, the focus and support that Woolworths have brought to the cause, and the generosity of the Wellcom Group through CEO Wayne Sidwell. Both of these principal sponsors were presented with a print of one of Avner's favourite photographs in recognition of their support.

To all attendees on the evening, we hope you will spread the word about the plight of pancreatic cancer, so that together we can increase awareness and ultimately turn around the prospects of pancreatic cancer sufferers.

To all who participated in ensuring the evening was a success, thank you. We think Avner would have been speechless… for once!