Our fundraising target for 2008 is $400,000, with 100% of these donations going to cancer research. These are ‘net funds raised', as all expenses have been covered by our generous sponsors - with particular thanks to Bottlemart and Rio Tinto Coal Australia.
A major portion of the funds will be given to cancer research projects at the Mater Hospital, thanks to our partnership with the Mater Foundation.
The projects which we aim to support at the Mater Hospital are:
- - The Integrative Oncology Unit
Our funding will support a pilot study into the logistics of establishing a clinic which will support cancer patients with complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, massage and meditation. The clinic will support patients in managing their symptoms and aims to improve their quality of life. A proportion of the funding will go to supporting acupuncture trials already underway.
Our donation will fund a research assistant supporting the treatment of melanoma cancer patients.
- - Prostate cancer treatment research
Our donation will fund a research assistant supporting a Phase one treatment approach to patients with advanced stages of prostate cancer. The research is based on strengthening the patient's own immune system to fight the diseased cells. The outcome of this trial has the potential to create treatments for other serious illnesses as well.
For the first time the Smiling for Smiddy Committee would also like to distribute some of the funds raised to regional centres, within Queensland. Our support will include the Burdekin branch of the Cancer Council.
We will continue to provide some funding to melanoma cancer research at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.