Keep moving cancer research forward

In 2012, When I first took  part in a two day 200K cycling challenge to raise funds for cancer research with my friend Dr Andrew Ng, I had no idea that one day a deadly form of cancer would affect my nearest and dearest. When Alicia was diagnosed with stage  3 Myeloma 3 years ago, we were so shocked that we feared for the worst.  Following almost unbearable treatments for six months, she has surprisingly made a good recovery. We are indeed thankful to the Royal North Shore Hospital Cancer team for their care and expertise, and also to the many friends and colleagues who supported us throughout her treatment. The year following her treatment, I decided to run a half marathon to raise funds for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. I managed to raise around $15K and became the top fund raiser for the foundation in the event, thanks to the very generous support of many friends and colleagues.

This year I have decided to repeat the half marathon run on May 4 (Sydney half marathon) to raise funds for the Foundation again. What motivated  me this time is an inspiring speech by a Periodontist colleague Dr Peter Clark Ryan at a conference dinner recently. He shared his personal struggle with the same form of cancer and recounted his remarkable recovery, which culminated in a cycling trip to the highest mountain in Taiwan, just a year after completing his cancer treatment.

Despite the heartwarming story, four Periodontist colleagues at Westmead Hospital who I had worked with had lost their battle with cancer in the past decade. Cancer research and new treatments are costly. We cannot rely solely on government and drug companies to fund all promising research. Everyone can help support cancer research, which may benefit our loved ones one day. Your generosity in supporting this fundraising run would be greatly appreciated.