MESSAGE FROM CEO

CURELATEST NEWS OF THE CURE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION DEC 2012

www.cureforlife.org.au

As I reflect upon our achievements over the year, it is those within our community that have exceeded all expectations.

As we move towards 2013, you can be comforted by our goal to find a cure within 10 years, not 50.

We are aligning our strategy and all activities towards this goal and in doing so, leading the change. Our Chair Jo Quin and members of our Board including Charlie Teo and I have taken the time to listen and assess the needs of researchers and met many brilliant minds who are working behind the scenes to develop new approaches to discovery. We are confident that through our strategy we will advance our understanding of brain cancer, leading to an explosion of discovery and a cure.

To do this we will need more of your support next year and beyond. Please consider how you can be part of this great change and be an ‘enabler’ with us – a funder or fundraiser, introduce us to corporations or Trusts and Foundations or volunteer to help us achieve this goal.

May I take this opportunity to thank the many thousands of people who have supported Cure For Life Foundation this year and contributed towards a singular purpose – to accelerate a cure for brain cancer. A special thought goes to those enduring a brain cancer diagnosis, I wish you and everyone a wonderful Christmas and New Year and a safe holiday season.

Yours sincerely Catherine Stace, CEO

SENDING CHARLIE TO SPACE?Dr Charlie Teo has a new research partner – the American space agency NASA.

Following a visit to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, Dr Teo hopes that an electronic nose developed by NASA scientists can be used to “smell” brain cancer cells.

The technology, originally developed to identify gas leaks on space craft, is sensitive enough to pick up the difference between the smell of cancer cells and the smell of normal skin.

Now the plan is to put the electronic nose to work on the brain tumour bank established in Sydney by Cure For Life Foundation.

Known as the Steve and Lynette Waugh Tumour Bank, it has preserved a large number of brain tumours over the last five years.

“We are very excited about this amazing groundbreaking collaboration given the large number of brain cancer patients treated in my clinic,” says Dr Teo.

DONATE A GIFT THIS XMAS This Christmas we are raising funds to test new brain cancer treatments at the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia’s Drug Discovery Centre. Make a donation as a gift to someone this Christmas and we’ll send you an e-card you can forward on to show how the gift you have given is accelerating a cure for brain cancer.

Read the letter enclosed with this issue, visit cureforlife.org.au/make_a_donation or call 02 9550 5244.

Season’s Greetings

We recently spent time with neurosurgeon Dr Brindha Shivalingham, who received a grant from Cure For Life Foundation in 2011 as part of her work with the Glioma Research Group, Sydney University.

Why did you decide to specialise in neurosurgery?

I had a fascination with the brain. Also, it is high risk and cutting edge and that appealed to me. Plus the patients were from such a young age group so it felt worthwhile.

Where do you practise?

Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) at Camperdown and Mater Hospital at Crows Nest.

How many patients would you see in a week with brain tumours?

25 – 35 patients a week.

How have advancements in science changed your work?

It’s really been a combination of things. My speciality is brain tumours. Computer navigation, microscopic surgery and intro-operative MRI integrate altogether in the theatre and this is very cutting edge treatment. RPA is the only hospital in Australia that has that functionality, called a Brainsuite. There are only 25 units worldwide because Brainsuites are very expensive.

MRI has also developed so much and can map brain function so that we can see what functions are at risk and use those images while operating to protect those functions.

There has also been a genetic profiling of tumours and chemotherapy, where we can personalise chemo treatments. The area of treatment for other cancers is well ahead of brain cancer because of the lack of study into brain cancer.

Have you had any association with Cure For Life Foundation?

I trained under Charlie Teo for a few years. We also have similar interests in types of surgery. I also received a grant from the Foundation for research at RPA and have been a supporter of Cure For Life Foundation.

What is your key message for supporters?

Effective treatments are around the corner but more research is needed to find them.

OUTSTANDING SUPERVISOR UNSW (MEDICINE)Congratulations to Dr Kerrie McDonald from the Cure For Life Neuro-oncology Laboratory for being awarded the Outstanding Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision Award from the Arc Postgraduate Council, UNSW, on November 22, 2012.

Dr McDonald received the prestigious award in recognition of her exemplary supervisory conduct and invaluable contributions to the supervision of higher degree research candidates. The award was endorsed by not only the Arc Postgraduate Council but also the Dean of Graduate Research, Professor Laura Poole-Warren.

FAREWELL TO LONG-STANDING BOARD MEMBERSIn November, John Scott resigned as Secretary and Trevor Danos resigned as Director from Cure For Life Foundation’s board.

Our thanks go to John and Trevor for their outstanding contribution over the past 10 years, both serving as Chair during this time. Trevor was involved in setting up the legalities of the Foundation and John provided a valuable hands-on role during his time as Chair. We wish them both well for the future.

ANNUAL REPORTCure For Life Foundation’s Annual Report 2011-2012 is now available at cureforlife.org.au/annual_reports. If you would like a copy of the report mailed to you, please email admin@cureforlife.org.au

IN CELEBRATIONBrenda Doran 30th Birthday Zachariah Warwick Jonathan Edwards 40th Birthday Warren Millet 60th Birthday

IN MEMORY We pass on our condolences and gratefully acknowledge gifts in memory of the following people:

Nicholaas Rolfes Nadia Melnikoff Brangwyn Jenkins Lyn Batterham Adam Carnevale Aljan Zubcevic Eva Durna Martin Fawbert Roger Teevan Needra Doyle Caroline Walsh Lucie Lenard

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPINGSolve those hard-to-buy for presents with a Christmas hamper (10% of cost of hamper will be donated to CFLF), CFLF picnic rug or a hypertube!

Visit our website cureforlife.org.au and place your order.

MINUTES WITH A NEUROSURGEON: DR BRINDHA SHIVALINGHAM 5

IT’S A WRAP! EVENT REVIEWS

Thank you to all those who joined us at Walk4Life on 4 November! It was by far the biggest Walk4Life with over 900 people registering to walk. Over $125,000 was raised, which will go directly to accelerating a cure for brain cancer. Congratulations to our highest individual fundraiser, Alan Wolf, who raised $16,504 online and our highest team fundraiser, Trekking for Trev, who raised $13,460 online.

The Tree of Hope became a moving centerpiece and walkers hung beautiful cranes, photos and messages to loved ones.

Thank you to 2GB’s Chris Smith for donating his time as MC for the day, Olympian Matt Shirvington for warming up the crowd, up and coming group Castlecomer for creating a great atmosphere, Charlie Hawley from Scots College for playing the bagpipes during the moving one minute silence and start of the walk, celebrity chefs Colin Fassnidge (Four in Hand, 4Fourteen), Shannon Debreceny and Jeff Bennett (Three Blue Ducks), Sean Connolly (The Morrison) and MasterChef 2012 finalist Amina Elshafei for working those BBQs and Waratah Rugby Union Players Pat McCutcheon, Rob Horne and Sam Lane for skills and drills.

Thank you to our wonderful Walk4Life Sponsors: Volvo Cars Australia for their continued support, donating the popular cushions plus providing interactive games to keep the kids happy; Fitness First for their Zumba warm-up and show bags; Stapleton’s Quality Meat and Black Forest Smoke House for donating burgers and sausages; Vittoria Coffee for donating the coffee, their time and all proceeds to the Foundation and Coca-Cola Amatil for donating Mount Franklin water for every walker.

Finally, our biggest thanks of all must go to our invaluable volunteers and Five Dock Rotary. We couldn’t hold such an event without you. From 7am you worked tirelessly setting up the stalls, manning the BBQ, folding cranes, helping to pack up and much more in between.

Photos from the walk can be viewed at facebook.com/cureforlife so enjoy browsing through these and please ‘Share’ with your friends so we can create even more awareness of this wonderful event.

OUR BIGGEST WALK4LIFE YET!

It was another successful Beach Walk for Brain Cancer on November 25, with over 1,200 people walking the beautiful 5km boardwalk from Shelly Beach to South Curl Curl.

Dr Charlie Teo joined Manly Mayor Jean Hay, NSW Waratahs, Manly Sea Eagles, NOVA 969 Casanova’s for the walk whilst Ben & Jerry’s kept walkers cool with free ice-cream.

The Beach Walk for Brain Cancer is in its second year and was started by Bec Lucas after her Dad died from brain cancer in 2011. The funds go towards the Tony Lucas Grant, which sits within the Cure For Life Foundation to fund selected brain cancer research projects.

Visit facebook.com/cureforlife to view photos from the day. Congratulations to Bec, the Lucas family and all those involved with the Beach Walk for Brain Cancer on another fabulous event and raising over $100,000 for the Foundation.

The following highlights a few of the events our many dedicated supporters have run to raise funds for the Cure For Life Foundation in the last couple of months. Whether the events have raised a little or a lot, the fact remains that every bit helps and gets us closer to realising our dream – a day when all patients diagnosed with brain cancer can be told they have a manageable disease. Sincere thanks from all at the Cure For Life Foundation to these and all our other fundraisers.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

QUALIT Y MEATS

QUALIT Y MEATS

CURE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION GOLF DAY AT BONNIE DOON Over $37,000 was raised from the Foundation’s inaugural Golf Day held on 15 November at Bonnie Doon Golf Club thanks to the generosity of over 60 players including The Hon Bob Hawke who spoke at the lunch.

Thank you to our Golf Day sponsors: Volvo Cars Australia for providing the major auction prize of a round of golf at the Lakes Australian Open and a set of TaylorMade Clubs plus sponsoring the Hole-in-One competition – although no-one drove away in the Volvo S60 T6 R-Design players all had fun trying; Volvo Cars also organised Mark Byslma, Australian longest drive champion 2003, 2005, 2009 to join players for the game; Glen Hunter Game Fishing; Neuroendoscopy Centre For Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery; PING; Omeros on the beach; and Royal Pines Resort. If you would like to hold a Cure For Life Foundation Golf Day, email events@cureforlife.org.au or call 02 9550 5244.

ROUND THE WORLD 4 JOOur wonderful volunteer and friend, Iain Grindall, recently completed another fantastic fundraising effort as part of Round The World 4 Jo, a tribute to his wife. Iain spent 11 hours a day from Joanne’s birthday on 11 November to 17 November, 77 hours in total, being active by either walking, jogging, riding and swimming. Joanne died at age 42 from brain cancer, leaving behind two boys, aged 13 and 11, and her husband of 18 years. Iain’s moving blog can be viewed at roundtheworld4jo.org and we congratulate Iain for raising over $10,000 for a cure.

Iain pictured at sunrise on Dee Why beach on the start of another 11-hour stretch of activity.

AFA LUNCHEONDr Charlie Teo and Catherine Stace attended a charity event on 16 November, hosted by the Australian Financial Advisors (AFA) to educate advisers about some of the alarming facts about brain cancer and what they should consider when delivering risk advice. AFA members are often asked, ‘how much Trauma cover is enough?’. A report published by Access Economics in 2007 estimates the financial cost of brain cancer is $181,812, the highest of all cancers.

130 guests listened to Dr Teo and Adam Lane (GM Risk Advice Specialists), a brain cancer survivor, trauma claimant and former patient of Dr Teo’s, share their stories. If through this day, one adviser gives better quality advice to just one of their clients, that is true success of the event.

Cure For Life Foundation was selected as principle charity partner for the 2012 Glebe Street Fair on Sunday 18 November. Many of the Fair’s stallholders overwhelmingly said the best part of the day was the parade of Scots College Old Boys Bagpipe Band down Glebe Point Road. Dr Charlie Teo opened the Fair and for a gold coin donation, the public joined the Cure For Life Foundation Tug of War and continued on to enjoy a wonderful day out at one of Sydney’s iconic fairs. Thank you to Five Dock Rotary for volunteering to turn the sausages at our BBQ and all our fabulous volunteers who helped out at our stall and collected donations.

TIM CLEVE’S PARTY FOR A CUREOn 3 November 2012 people partied hard for a cure for brain cancer at the Old Mint in Melbourne. This was the first charity event held in memory of Tim Cleve, who lost his battle with brain cancer a year to the day and left behind his wife Maria and 4-month old son Ned.

The party raised $40,000 for the Foundation through the combined efforts of all that got on board to sponsor, sell raffle tickets and attend the party.

For every raffle book sold, raffle ticket purchased, donations made and to the party people themselves, thank you so much for choosing “Tim Cleve’s Party for a Cure” as your charity of choice for 2012.

SPRING INTO LIFEThe Spring Into Life cocktail party was held in Brisbane on September 1 in memory of Nathan Abussi who died aged 23 from brain cancer. Hosted by Johanna Griggs and featuring Brisbane jazz group ‘3 to Tango’ the cocktail party was the third Spring Into Life event and raised over $15,000 for the Foundation.

R E S T A U R A N T & B A R

GALA PURPLEThe “Gala Purple” held their inaugural Wollongong event at the Fraternity Club on 13 October to help raise awareness and funds for brain cancer research. The Gala was a huge success with 320 guests attending, including VIPs Marcella Zemanek and Tara and Wendall Sailor. The Gala Purple committee was formed just 3 months ago by Romina Rondinelli-Ivaneza and Louise Sartor, inspired into action by Romina’s husband Oliver who is affected by brain cancer. The night was MC’d by Leigh Stewart and included video presentations by Dr Charlie Teo, who established Cure For Life Foundation, and Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson from the Nine Network’s Today show. Thank you to our ambassador and board member, Marcella Zemanek, for speaking on the night.

The committee and volunteers prepared thousands of paper cranes, placing them around the function venue including a huge purple paper crane suspended at the entry, made from paper 6m x 6m in size. The event was a huge success raising over $30,000.

On Tuesday 16 October, Cure For Life Foundation launched its inaugural Lunch4Life at Mantra Restaurant, Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. Thanks to generous contributions, over $30,000 was raised. A special thanks must go to Kelly Assef for organising such a wonderful event.

Our guest speaker Jane Stacey shared her touching story and Charlie dropped in to give us an update on the importance of funding research. Penne Dennison and Glenn Wheeler donated their time as MC’s and kept us entertained and on tract. We were also treated to a gorgeous fashion parade from MyCatWalk, modelled by Illona Brooks, Lauren Page and Katrina Warren.

Thanks to our Lunch4Life sponsors: Star of the Sea Luxury Apartments Terrigal, Jewels that Rock, MyCatWalk, Gaby Bujtas Jewellery collection, Claire Aristides Fine Jewels, Hetty Belle Lingerie, Bay Pelle Rose Bay, Becker Minty and of course Manta Restaurant Woolloomooloo.

Visit facebooke.com/cureforlife to view photos from the lunch. Would you like to hold your own Lunch4Life? Email events@cureforlife.org.au or call us on 02 9550 5244 and we’d be happy to help.

BRIGHTON SECONDARY SCHOOL JAZZ CABARET Brighton Secondary School Jazz Cabaret was held on 19th October. Special guest was Rachel Leahcar and proceeds went to to Royal Blind Society and Cure For Life Foundation, in memory of Rachel’s cousin Suzanna Calabro who died aged 19 from brain cancer.

SPINDLEWOOD OPEN GARDENJulia Hennessy, organizer of Spindlewood’s Open Garden weekend over 13-14 October sent us a lovely letter about the weekend. Here’s just a few snippets:

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day and about 143 people visited the garden. Families enjoyed their picnics in the paddock, badminton and just relaxing. This photo is Ross Still from Guide Dogs NSW who was not only the most wonderful help to Michael with his sight loss due to the brain tumours but also a breath of fresh air in our lives with his zest for life. The wonderful raffle prize was donated by our local artist Marlene Whitham. The weekend would not have been possible without my wonderful friends. Special thanks must go to Terry and Donna Cardwell who were the backbone of the whole weekend. I would encourage other people to have an Open Garden supporting the Cure For Life Foundation but buy a golfing umbrella just in case it rains - I did not!!!

BLACKWOOD8 – A CELEBRATION OF HOPEBlackwood8 hosted “A Celebration of Hope” gala ball on the 19 October in Melbourne. Funds raised will be donated to the CFLF, the Lowy Cancer Research Centre UNSW and the “Talking Heads” support program. Congratulations to the committee for raising over $70,000. Thank you for your continued support.

ST IVES PREPARATORY SCHOOL, SYDNEY GRAMMAR SCHOOLThe Year 6 children at Sydney Grammar School, St Ives, chose the Foundation as the charity for their fundraising efforts for 2012, donating a generous $1,500 to a cure for brain cancer. Well done kids!

MYALL RIVER CLASSIC The iconic Myall River Classic held its 10th fundraising event on Saturday 15th September for the Foundation. Hosted by Just Paddlers Inc, paddlers chose from the 47km, 27km or 12 km course and we thank the organisers and participants for their ongoing support and raising $11,000.

PO Box 894 Randwick NSW 2031

Unit 45, 45-51 Huntley St Alexandria NSW 2015

Tel: (02) 9550 5244 Fax: (02) 9550 5655

info@cureforlife.org.au www.cureforlife.org.au

CITY2SURF 2013Gold Charity Entries for the 2013 Sun Herald City2Surf are now open. Gold runners, with their unique gold bibs, get to start behind the Elite and Red Groups and it is perfect for those that want to make fundraising the focus for the event and commit to raising a minimum of $750 for Cure For Life Foundation.

Visit cureforlife.org.au/Events/ to register for your City2Surf Charity Gold Entry.

HSBC WARATAHS CHARITY MATCH FEBRUARY 14, 2013Come and watch the Waratahs take on the Crusaders at Allianz stadium on Thursday 14 February.

25% of ticket sales will be donated to the Foundation. Volunteers will be needed to sell raffle tickets and you get to see the game for free so just email events@cureforlife.org.au or call 02 9550 5244.

SAVE MAY 4, 2013 FOR OUR GALA BALLPlans are underway for our Gala Ball to be held on 4 May 2013 so save the date. We’re not going to give away the theme just yet but invitations will be in the mail in February so keep your eyes on your letterbox and inbox.

Like to become a sponsor of the Gala Ball? Email events@cureforlife.org.au or call 02 9550 5244.

COMMUNITY DOING THEIR BITBelow are some of the fundraisers that the community is holding to support the Foundation. To be a part of any of these community fundraising events, search our Events Calendar at cureforlife.org.au for contact details of the organiser.

BETTER THAN AN MBA One of Cure For Life Foundation’s most motivated supporters, John Lance, has written a book called Better than an MBA – a practical, easy to read and concise guide to management.

John believes management has to be enjoyable, so he also threw in some original cartoons by Sydney Morning Herald cartoonist Glen Le Lievre - amusing but with a cutting edge. Go to momentumbooks.com.au/books/better-than-an-mba/ to buy the ebook for $9.99 or hard copy, which can be mailed to you from $27.99. The book is dedicated to John’s wife Sandra, their three children and seven, and counting, grandchildren. “Sandra was a special wife, mother and friend, in perfect health until diagnosed with brain cancer in September 2010 and died in December 2011. She was far too young to die.”

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY 10 Cambage Court, Davidson NSW, 1st December - 5 January 2013

1 - 13 Dec, 8pm - 10:30pm 14 - 27 Dec, 7:30pm - 11:30pm 27 Dec – 5 Jan, 7:45pm - 10:30pm

The Christmas light display is in its twelfth year and bigger than ever before. Every year Michael Gray’s family decorates their house to bring joy to the community and to assist those in need, this being the second year collecting for Cure For Life Foundation and Sids and Kids NSW and VIC. The Grey family would like to acknowledge Big W at Westfield Warringah Mall, Woolworths at Forest Way Shopping Centre and their primary sponsor, Christmas World, who contributed to the display in terms of setup costs and has also given a large donation to Cure For Life Foundation and Sids and Kids NSW and VIC.

Visit cambagecourtchristmaslights.com

for more information.

LUCKY HEARTS BALLCanterbury Hurlstone Park RSL, 6th April 2013

MUSIC FOR LIFEPenrith Panthers, Friday 14 June 2013

Pop these events in your 2013 diary. Find out more about these events at cureforlife.org.au

UPCOMING EVENTS

ARE YOU ONLINE? In an effort to reduce our administration costs, we’d like to email you this newsletter – just send an email to admin@cureforlife.org.au. Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook.com/cureforlife to receive updates as they happen. Like us on Facebook.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS If you would like to volunteer at any of the above Cure For Life Foundation events, please email events@cureforlife.org.au or call 02 9550 5244.