On Thursday 26 July 2018, The Kids’ Cancer Project officially turned 25 and they chose to recognise the many people who have made significant contributions to the charity and children’s cancer research.
The independent national charity created The Kids’ Cancer Project Hero Awards in commemoration of their silver anniversary. During an intimate ceremony, 35 awards were presented honouring blue-chip corporate sponsors and young fundraisers alike.
Chief Executive, Owen Finegan said the significant milestone was the perfect opportunity to acknowledge fundraisers, volunteers, donors and partners in this way.
“If we just look back over the past 14 years, The Kids’ Cancer Project has been able to commit over $40 million in funding to childhood cancer research,” he said. "That sizeable input into the scientific community comes down to the collective efforts of many individuals – many more than we have handed awards to this year.”
“For our inaugural ceremony, we went back and reviewed past efforts of volunteers, groups of fundraisers and even some little legends – like the Fisk children, who campaigned to raise money for three consecutive years, motivated by their brother’s cancer diagnosis,” he said. “In future years, accolades will be based on the previous 12 months’ activity.”
During the awards night, two additional awards were bestowed - one to Dr Luciano Dalla-Pozza and the other to Professor Peter Gunning, in recognition of the role each played in the foundation of the charity.
Col Reynolds, founder of The Kids’ Cancer Project, spoke of his gratitude to the men who helped channel his efforts into tangible benefits for children with cancer.
“For years I had been taking children with cancer out on day trips to help them forget about their treatment for a few hours,” said Mr Reynolds. “But it was Dr Dalla-Pozza who took me aside, showed me an empty research laboratory, and told me that if I really wanted to help the kids, I should work toward filling that lab with scientists to find better treatments and a cure.”
“Professor Gunning was one of those scientists,” Mr Reynolds continued. “And our investment in his research lead to the discovery of a way to destroy the building blocks of cancer cells. He continues to lead medical studies and, like me, won’t give up until we have one hundred percent survival of children with cancer.&rdquo
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All the winners
SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARD FOR SERVICES CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH
Professor Peter Gunning
SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARD FOR SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH CANCER
Dr Luciano Dalla-Pozza
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE YEAR
QBE Foundation
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Netball NSW
MEDIA PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Fairfax Media
SCIENCE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Zero Childhood Cancer Program
TRUST AND FOUNDATION OF THE YEAR
Perpetual
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Judy Gillespie, Write a Book in a Day
Joan Denahy, Write a Book in a Day
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR / FOR INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT
Ben Mills
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR / FOR GROUP COMMITMENT
Tim Blair Run for Kids Foundation
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR / FOR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
Jai’s Falcons
LITTLE LEGEND (5 – 10 YEARS OF AGE)
Will Allford
Grace McPhee
Zachary Rowney
Ruby Aleckson
Annabelle Wright
James Rutten
Bella the Brave
Tyson Bell, Team Leo for a Cure
Darcy Wallwork, Team Leo for a Cure
William Prosser, Team Leo for a Cure
Samuel Hughes, Team Leo for a Cure
Lochlan Hewett, Team Leo for a Cure
Blake Gardner, Team Leo for a Cure
Cameron Gardner, Team Leo for a Cure
Trevor Lewis, Team Leo for a Cure
Blake O’Brien, Team Leo for a Cure
Cooper Hewett, Team Leo for a Cure
YOUTH AMBASSADOR (11 – 17 YEARS OF AGE)
Erin Moloney
Luke Forwood
Charlotte Forwood
Harrison Fisk