In October, STRONG Pilates Frankston opened its doors for something special. The Pilates studio became the venue for ‘A Night for ONJCRI’, a community fundraiser supporting breast cancer research at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI).
The evening brought together a unique mix of activities that captured the studio’s spirit, including a mini-Pilates class, pay-as-you-feel flash tattoos and eyebrow threading, and a raffle with fabulous prizes, all in support of breast cancer research at ONJCRI.
The most powerful moment of the night was when two STRONG community members, Fiona and Mary, shared their personal experiences with breast cancer. They spoke openly about the challenges they faced, their resilience, and what gives them hope.
For Mary, the evening marked a meaningful milestone: getting her first tattoo, a design that represents her breast cancer journey and the strength she discovered along the way.
Guests also heard from Dr Jean Berthelet, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in ONJCRI’s Tumour Promotion and Heterogeneity Lab. Dr Berthelet explained his personal motivation for working in cancer research, and explained his groundbreaking research centred on understanding how cancer cells spread.
Dr Berthelet’s research uses an optical barcoding system that labels cancer cells with unique combinations of fluorescent proteins, essentially giving each cell a distinct colour “passport” that allows researchers to track where the cells travel in the body. By tracking the cancer cells, the team can identify which cells are responsible for metastasis (the spread that makes cancer so dangerous) and work to find new ways to prevent it.
It is a privilege to witness how our research connects with our community, who are as passionate as we are about discovering more effective, tolerable and accessible cancer treatments. The generosity and courage shown by everyone at STRONG Frankston reminds us exactly why our work matters.
We are grateful to STRONG Pilates Frankston, their members, and everyone who made the evening such a success. Every contribution and every story shared brings us closer to a future without cancer.
Learn how your workplace or community group can host a fundraiser for cancer research.
