This week, we celebrate one of our fantastic philanthropic partners, Heidelberg Golf Club, who raised $9,000 for our vital breast cancer research.
Heidelberg Golf Club hosts an annual Golf Gala Day bringing together women from golf clubs across Melbourne for a friendly competition followed by an afternoon lunch. Sadly, many in this vibrant community of golf enthusiasts have been directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer, leading the Club to focus its fundraising efforts on this cause.
Natalie Stuart, Director of the Heidelberg Golf Club, explains: “One of our members and volunteers was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and fortunately was treated successfully. Our Women’s Committee decided to support research of breast cancer.
“We felt the need to pour as much of our funding to the team making exciting finds into how to treat various stages and strengths of breast cancer.”
PhD student Liam Neil is conducting his doctoral studies in Dr Bhupinder Pal’s laboratory and has a personal connection to the Club. The Heidelberg Golf Club therefore decided to support the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI)’s breast cancer research.
Dr Pal’s Laboratory is dedicated to advancing breast cancer research by discovering and testing new cancer therapy targets, developing advanced diagnostic strategies and investigating risk factors in breast cancer.
Liam presented his research project to the 120 Golf Gala Day attendees. He said:
“My project uses state-of-the-art gene editing technologies to identify weaknesses in metastatic breast cancer cells against immune cells, such as natural killer cells, so that we can design new treatment avenues that enhance our own body’s system to fight aggressive cancer.”
Metastatic breast cancer means that the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body.
“The clinical implications of finding a successful natural killer cell-based therapy mean that we could have more efficient and targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer patients,” said Liam.
Considering the toxicity of treatments is also essential, as current treatments for metastatic breast cancer are often ineffective and come with significant toxicity. The ONJCRI strives to develop cancer treatments that are more effective, tolerable and accessible for all patients. Liam said:
“The proposed natural killer cell-based treatment has potential to reduce toxic side effects, thus ensuring that women with metastatic disease can maintain their quality of life while undergoing therapy.
“Our goal is to develop next-generation immunotherapies that are both more effective and less harmful to patients.”
The funds raised at the Golf Gala Day will directly support la lab’s metastatic breast cancer research. Dr Pal shares some recent developments from the lab’s research:
“We have identified some promising new treatment targets to stop the spread of breast cancer, and we are currently validating these targets. We will be using the money raised to fund these experiments and fund the development of our new natural killer cell-based therapy.”
Ms Stuart says: “We can’t wait to do even better this year at our 2025 Gala Day, we are already looking for donations which we can auction and raffle off. Without our community supporters and generous members chipping in we couldn’t have donated as much as we did.”
We are grateful that the Heidelberg Golf Club chose to raise funds for the ONJCRI’s life-saving cancer research, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership this year. Thank you to the Heidelberg Golf Club for believing in our brilliant researchers!
