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Michael was 28 when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer

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Welcome to Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

Together, we can find new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancers

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is internationally recognised for helping to lead the search for cancer cures, and is Australia's only public hospital solely dedicated to caring for people affected by cancer. We support this vital work by funding new research opportunities, and providing researchers with access to the specialised resources they need to discover cures for cancer.

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Latest news

11 November 2024

Join the Peter Mac Larapinta Challenge Trek in 2025!

16 October 2024

Immune responses to drive bowel cancer treatment

15 October 2024

Michael’s shock stage 3 bowel cancer diagnosis

17 October 2024

Thank you to #TeamPeterMac at the Melbourne Marathon!

09 October 2024

Malcolm’s hope for the future of melanoma research

01 October 2024

Meet our new CEO, Craig Connelly

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At 28 years old, Michael’s life was turned upside down by a shocking bowel cancer diagnosis. “I’m finished,” he thought. Michael had every reason to worry. Three out of 10 bowel cancer patients don't survive beyond 5 years, and his cancer had already started to spread. He thought he’d lose his life. And with it, the future he’d dreamed of. In the months that followed, Michael faced aggressive chemotherapy and radiation before undergoing an extensive 12-hour surgery to remove the cancer. Although the specialist techniques and equipment helped save his life, Michael lives with the long-term effects of his cancer. He lost large amounts of his bowel, along with his rectum. He will have to use a colostomy bag for the rest of his life. “I’ve lost a lot of feeling. I’ve got numb fingers and feet from chemotherapy. I can’t have kids naturally. I still get a lot of pain in areas where they operated, and the chemotherapy will have long-term effects. “But it’s all something I accept so I can still be here today.” Today, Michael is cancer-free. He’s married to Ni-On, whom he met during treatment. They’ve bought a home together and even welcomed a baby girl, Arna, into their loving family. But Michael knows that cancer research has the potential to limit side effects – or even eliminate them. Your donation today will accelerate cancer research that could give Michael and others like him new treatments, better outcomes and ultimately cancer cures. You can help give people like Michael their hopes and dreams for the future back. It may be the longest-lasting gift you can give. Donate now: give.petermac.org/donate

🌟 Join the Peter Mac Larapinta Challenge Charity Trek in 2025! 🌟 📅 Departure Dates: 1-7 June and 14-20 August Tick the Larapinta Trail off your bucket list while raising vital funds for cancer research at Peter Mac. We’re offering two departure dates for this fully supported, 7-day trek. Spots are limited, so don't wait! Follow the link in our bio to learn more. #larapintatrail #larapinta

🌟 Join the Peter Mac Larapinta Challenge Trek in 2025 🌟 Ready to tick the Larapinta Trail off your bucket list and make a real difference? Here’s your chance to explore some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes, while raising vital funds for cancer research at Peter Mac. We’re offering two exclusive departure dates for this fully supported, 7-day trek through some of Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes. But spots are limited, so don’t wait—secure your place today and be part of something extraordinary! ⏳ Hear from past trekkers about what makes this challenge so special. Swipe through to get inspired! 🙌 📅 2025 Departure Dates: 1 – 7 June 14 – 20 August Register today to make an impact! Link in bio

September was a busy month for #TeamPeterMac with many incredible individuals, organisations and community groups fundraising to support cancer research at Peter Mac. Take a look to see what some of our supporters got up to in September 👀 1. Shoutout to Jess who shaved off her long hair for cancer research! 2. Thanks to Wendy from Kinglake Ranges Inner wheel for knitting her beanies for cancer research 3. Congrats to @bendi_con 2024 for a successful fundraising event celebrating Bendigo's comic and pop culture 4. Wai Ying @reconnect_studio successfully completed the Winter RIP Challenge becoming one of only 98 people to complete this epic swim! Wai Ying raised a massive $4812 for cancer research at Peter Mac alongside the event 5. Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul 6. In September, 750 firefighters took on the Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb, @000_foundation conquering 28 floors and raising an incredible $310k for Peter Mac! 7. Our amazing Unite to Fight Cancer ambassadors Bernard and Sharon were featured in the Herald Sun. THANK YOU to all our dedicated fundraisers and supporters who took up a challenge for Peter Mac. 💜

🌟 Happy Saturday!🌟 Our Unite to Fight Cancer participants have been sharing their amazing moments from their walks and rides (and their four legged friends). We loving seeing your progress. 1. Juliana is uniting this October and walking 100km in honour of her amazing daughter Lisa. 💜 2. Special shout out to our UTFC ambassador - Sharon. She's all set to walk 75 km over the next 10days! 3. Kerry is walking over 50 km over the next 10 days for all the family members and friends who were gone too soon. 4. Joining the amazing tribe is Joanie and his pups who will be walking 80 km over the next 10 days 5. Team Simply the Breast are out and about, enjoying the sunshine as they clock in 13.6 km from Kensington to Collingwood via Dights Falls. Now that the weekend is here, it’s the perfect time to lace up your shoes or hop on your bike to rack up those kms! 🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Haven’t signed up yet? It’s not too late! Join us and help make a difference: LINK IN BIO Let’s make this weekend count! Keep sharing those photos, and let’s smash those goals together! 💖💪✨

Please join us in thanking all of our incredible #TeamPeterMac Champions who took on the physical challenge of running or walking at the Melbourne Marathon this past weekend. Together, #TeamPeterMac raised an incredible $110,199! Thank you so much to all of our fundraisers who ran and walked in support of cancer research at Peter Mac.

Donate now and accelerate cancer research at Peter Mac and help discover new cures and better treatments.

Learn more about Professor Parker's work