Summer Edition

Diane Langmack OAM, AGCF Board Chair.

Looking forward, looking back….

As we head into 2025, a new year with new opportunities, I welcome you to an update on the wonderful work that everyone has been doing with AGCF in 2024. The AGCF is the only national cancer research organisation in Australia that focuses on funding laboratory research into all 8 gynaecological cancers.

The AGCF raises funds to support brilliant minds Research Fellowships. Put simply, we fund research and our brilliant minds post-doctoral researchers aim to find a cure. Together, we're giving women hope.

This year, with the support of the NSW Government and the Duncan family, the AGCF awarded its fourth fellowship, the 2024 Carmen Duncan Memorial Research Fellowship, to Dr Liz Caldon, PhD, Conjoint Assoc Professor of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW, for her groundbreaking research on Identifying drivers of resistance to PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer. We congratulate Liz on being awarded the 2-year Fellowship.

Liz joins three other outstanding brilliant minds researchers, including Dr Dane Cheasley from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria, our first post-doctoral fellowship recipient in 2017, aided by funding support to AGCF from the Way In Network.

Another brilliant minds researcher is Dr Amie Powell. Amie was awarded the Cindy Sullivan AGCF post-doctoral fellowship grant in 2018, with the generous support of the Sullivan family and friends. Both Dane and Amie completed their AGCF research and went on to participate in multi-million dollar gynae cancer research teams, funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, MRFF, a great return on AGCF's brilliant minds research investment.

Another outstanding AGCF researcher and brilliant mind is Dr DongLi Liu, of the Lowy Institute, Dongli's innovative 3D research into endometrial cancer was co-funded by a grant to AGCF from the Mazda Foundation.

This year, with support from the NSW Ministry of Health, and our social media partners, Overport, in addition to the Research Fellowship, we developed an information and awareness video on the eight gynae cancers to post on the website providing vital information to the over 7000 women newly diagnosed with gynae cancer each year.  The video has informative interviews with Professor Neville Hacker, AM MD, founder & director AGCF, Dr Dane Cheasley on his non-serous ovarian cancer cell research, Danielle D and Corinne Pettersen on their personal insights and survival from endometrial cancers, and Amelia Barrett, daughter and carer of the late Carmen Duncan on her mother's advocacy role with AGCF and, sadly, her death in 2019 from vaginal cancer.

Each September is National Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month when we undertake a national social media campaign to raise awareness of the 8 gynae cancers and our quest for financial support; we thank the generous individuals and families this year who embraced going purple for gynae cancer, helping our cause by holding purple morning teas, lunches, and nail parties and other fun activities in support of AGCF. We thank all who participated for their support to fund research for a brighter future, sharing hope.

A number of corporations have continued to support the wonderful work AGCF is doing by donating funds, sharing their brands and expertise with AGCF, or holding events.  Without their wonderful support it would be impossible to reach our goals of funding breakthrough cancer research, and helping others in their time of need.  A very big thank you goes to: Ure Lynam & Co; The Way In Network; The Mazda Foundation; Anther Gin;  Overport; Majestic; CSL Seqirus;  Hh Helping Humans;  Tom Organic; Spacey Studios; Sydney Sock Project; the NSW Ministry of Health; and the Canterbury Bulldogs National Rugby League Club.

A stand-out event for AGCF this year was the Bulldogs Rugby League Club hosting an amazing Sport supports science, saving women's lives lunch with AGCF at Doltone House, Sydney, with AGCF Ambassador & Bulldogs Football General Manager, Mr Phil Gould; Guest MC, Anthony Maroon; Auctioneer, Richard Callander, NSW Trainers Assoc; Bulldogs Board Chairman, Mr Adam Driussi, Board members, & CEO Aaron Warburton; David Trodden CEO NSWRL & Paul Langmack;  Zeid from Qatar Airlines; Rob & Lee Hunter, Ure Lynam; Ben Fordham 2GB, Paul Signorelli of Doltone House and AGCF Ambassadors, including Danielle, Amelia, Stephanie, Annie Tang and the Way In Board members, we thank you all for your generous support.

I am pleased to report that we have maintained our organisational structure and good governance throughout this year and expanded our research activities, collaborations and partnerships, under Leonie Young's strong CEO leadership.

I offer a special thank you to Professor Neville Hacker AM MD, Founder & Director, to Leonie Young, Deputy Chair, to Jacki Howson, Company Secretary, and to Robert Hunter Ure Lynam & Co, and to all the amazing Ambassadors and friends of AGCF, for your continued participation and outstanding support to AGCF.

The Board and I are looking forward with optimism to the years ahead for the AGCF team, working to continue the brilliant minds gynae cancer research fellowships, supporting improved screening, diagnosis and treatments, raising awareness of the 8 gynae cancers, and, through our combined efforts from supporters and donors, funding more research for a brighter future, giving hope to women and their families across Australia. We are grateful for your help.

Best wishes for a successful 2025,

Diane Langmack OAM

Supported by AGCF, Dr Zoe Phan and A/Prof Liz Caldon have recently completed a study on the best models to use to study drug effectiveness in ovarian cancer.

This study investigates PARP inhibitors, a type of cancer treatment, particularly for patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which are often linked to breast and ovarian cancers. While these inhibitors have shown promise in clinical trials, many preclinical studies using cell lines have not translated into successful treatments. The researchers aimed to uncover why some laboratory models do not give the same results as seen in patients.  They then set out to find better cell line models to test how sensitive cancer cells are to PARP inhibitors and how they work in combination with other therapies.

Dr Zoe Phan

The study found that simply having BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations does not guarantee that cancer cells grown in the laboratory will respond well to PARP inhibitors. Instead, factors like high levels of a protein called PARP1 and fewer changes in the cell's DNA were more closely linked to how well the cells responded to treatment. They also discovered that existing widely available cell line models often do not accurately represent patient responses.

To address this, the researchers used a specific type of cell model called an isogenic model, which has controlled genetic changes. They found that these models, particularly those with BRCA mutations, better reflected how patients might respond to PARP inhibitors alone and in combination with chemotherapy.

In summary, the study highlights the need for caution when using standard cell lines for research on PARP inhibitors. It suggests that using isogenic models with specific mutations may provide more accurate insights into how these treatments work in real patients. This could help improve future cancer therapies by ensuring that research models closely mimic actual patient responses.

Insights on Liz, outside the busy research world:

Outside of her research, Liz enjoys mentoring students and sharing her love for science with the next generation. She believes in fostering an environment where new ideas can thrive, and she actively engages in public outreach to raise awareness about women's cancer.

In her personal life, Liz loves reading, especially Japanese and dystopian literature. She also enjoys skiing, walking, tasting new cuisines, and is a coffee enthusiast who likes trying out different brews. Along with her family, Liz is a regular at games of the Sydney Swifts netball team, and hoping they get to the top of the pool in 2025!

Professor Neville Hacker, AGCF Founder & Director, MD AM, and the Board, are delighted to welcome Jana Pittman as AGCF's newest, awe-inspiring Ambassador to help raise awareness of the 8 gynae cancers affecting over 7000 women in Australia each year, and to assist AGCF to raise funds for breakthrough research in early intervention and lifesaving treatments.

As I reflect on my journey from a professional athlete to a trainee in obstetrics and gynaecology, I am filled with a sense of purpose and excitement. Recently, I was honoured when Prof Neville Hacker asked me to become an ambassador for the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation, a role that will enable me to help advocate for women's health and contribute to vital research in the field of gynaecologic oncology. My journey began in the world of sports. As a former elite athlete, I represented Australia in the 400 metres hurdles and Bobsled and became a dual Summer and Winter Olympian. I won gold for Australia in two World Championships (Paris 2003 and Osaka 2007). I also won gold in both the 400 metre hurdles and 4 x 400 metre relay  at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, and  in Melbourne in 2006. The discipline, resilience, and determination I developed during my athletic career laid a strong foundation for my transition into medicine. However, my athletic path was not without challenges. I desperately wanted to win an Olympic gold medal, but despite being the favourite for Gold at two Olympic Games, injuries unfortunately prevented me from achieving this goal.

Hungry to throw my passion elsewhere and always wanting to be a doctor, I set my sites on medical school. The disappointment of the Olympics was the exact fuel I needed. I was already 30 years-old, and many of my friends thought I was a crazy jumping into this gruelling career pathway. Initially I was thinking of  specialising in sports medicine or orthopaedics, both of which seemed a natural progression from sport. However, just before I started university, I went through several miscarriages which naturally opened my mind to gynaecology. The door was further thrown open when I was in the middle of fertility treatment and an overdue cervical screening test came back with high-grade cervical dysplasia. This combined experience was a turning point in my life, igniting a passion for women's health.

I then went on to have six beautiful children, which sealed the deal, as for me, the only pathway was now to become an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

As a mother and doctor, I have witnessed first-hand the unique challenges that women face when it comes to prioritizing their health. Juggling family life, work, and personal well-being can often lead to neglecting one's own health needs, particularly "women's business" screening. We often ignore signs and symptoms or pass them off as nothing significant. Therefore, becoming an ambassador for AGCF will hopefully help raise more money, to enable the Foundation to continue the life-saving research which is  needed to help all women. We all say knowledge is power, but without more research, particularly into early detection of gynae cancers, women miss out.

I want to be part of the advancements in medical science, but right now, I realise that although a very well-known Aussie, I am a junior in the world of medicine. I have bought more than 15 pairs of vulva socks (which I adore), but it didn't feel like that was enough. I want to use my voice to get important messages heard! Hence, when I was offered the opportunity  to get more seriously involved with AGCF, it was a resounding yes from me.

I hope my voice can get more people to invest in research that addresses the unique health challenges that women face. By advocating for increased funding and support for gynaecological cancer research, we can pave the way for innovative treatments and improved health outcomes for women across all ages.

So, in summary, my journey from elite athlete to medical  doctor has put me in a wonderfully unique position. It has allowed me  to speak up and reach out to people of all ages, to get them talking about women's health, gynae cancer and the incredible research that people around the world, and in Australia in particular, are producing.

I am excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women.

I write to commend the members of the Way In Network and the Executive Officers, Jessie, Annie, Florence, and Linda, for their tireless efforts and contributions over 32 years to women in business, not-for-profit agencies and charitable causes, including the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (AGCF).

I was inspired by the late Senator Jeanne Ferris to establish the AGCF.  Jeanne died of ovarian cancer in 2007 but was a key member of an Australian Government Senate Inquiry into Gynaecological Cancer, which convened in 2006. In fact, Jeanne delivered the final report of the Inquiry to Parliament. It was called "Breaking the Silence: A National Voice for Gynaecological Cancers".

Following her diagnosis and treatment, Senator Ferris undertook a cancer study tour of the United States, visiting major cancer centres, from Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Stanford University. She also visited the Mayo Clinic.  Jeanne spoke to clinicians, researchers and patients, and was inspired by what she heard. She returned to Australia convinced that research related to gynaecological cancer was seriously underfunded here and was determined to help make a difference.

Shortly after the AGCF was founded in 2014, I was introduced to Annie Tang and the Way In Network by Marie Ficarra, the former Mayor of Hurstville and later a member of the Upper House in the New South Wales Parliament. We made the Network aware of the 8 gynaecological cancers, the often low survival rates for women with gynae cancers, and the urgent need for basic research funding.

The Way in Network members were immediately receptive to the goals of the new Foundation. Their active fundraising provided the AGCF with the financial means to advertise for our first 2-year Fellowship in 2015.

The Fellowship was called the AGCF/Way in Network Research Fellowship and was worth $220,000 over 2 years. It was awarded to Dr Dane Cheasley, a brilliant young scientist from the Peter McCallum Research Institute in Melbourne. Dane's research related to low-grade serous ovarian cancer. This is one of the less common types of ovarian cancer, but it is much more resistant to chemotherapy than the more common high-grade serous ovarian cancer. 

Since that initial Fellowship, Dr Cheasley has continued with this research. He has developed an international network of collaborators, become an international authority on low-grade serous ovarian cancers and has won further funding from the National Medical Research Future Fund. This is an outstanding result that can be credited to his initial funding via the AGCF/Way In Network Fellowship.

The Way In Network has continued to support the AGCF's research efforts. They have given us several donations over the years and have generously supported all of our major events. Their work for so many charities over 32 years is an inspiration, and we sincerely congratulate the members and the executive on their achievements.  We wish them continued success and look forward to continuing to collaborate with them in the future.

Professor Neville Hacker AM MD, Founder & Director, AGCF.

Life has meaning when you have a purpose.

From when I was younger, I decided on my purpose. It was to be a Mum!
Even finishing high school, I was looking forward to that day in the future where I had finished uni, married to a great guy and be a Mum to my children. Hearing those little voices yell "Mum" was what I had longed dreamed of.

So, at the beginning of my 30s having graduated uni, working full time, had bought my own house, travelled around the world solo, thought I'd met Prince Charming a few times (I was wrong!) and was working a lot, I finally made the decision I didn't want work to be all that I did.

I wanted the chance to place headphones over my pregnant belly even if it came with morning sickness and back pain, I wanted to hold my baby in my arms and know that I was going to love, teach, inspire, maybe with some arguments along the way, but know that there was someone out there to call me Mum.

I longed for my purpose to become my reality. I decided, that in a year's time, should fate still have me single, I'd make my Mum dream become a reality.

Later that same year, having lined up with one of my friends to go off our pill and have our periods at the same time, so we could both be miserable together.

I had avoided having my period for many years (medically approved I may add) it was always ridiculously painful, even after being diagnosed with Endometriosis when I was 19, with the pill meant to alleviate some of the pain, which it didn't! I had my techniques to deal with it, heat packs, hot showers, sleeping in foetal position, Panadol and Nurofen – a mixture or all of them.

This time however, the pain seemed a little worse than usual. A little more intense. I didn't think much of it and put it down to not having had a period in some years. A few more months went by, and this pain seemed to be sticking around. Wasn't constant, so it wasn't in the forefront of my mind. I was also used to some pain around when I should have had my period, even when I skipped it with the pill. This pain started to be anywhere within the month though. 6months then passed with this pain having increased.
To some it would have been a very noteworthy amount of pain, however, I was used to a decent level of pain, it's what I would have put down to just above my normal. However, suddenly this pain became unbelievably intense. None of my usual techniques were working, even with the addition of panadeine. I had to sit down at work when it happened or stop what I was doing. It was waking me in the middle of the night. I got to the point where I was holding myself when these pains would come and go.

I had decided it was time to go and get a referral to my Gynae, which I did in June. I called to make an appointment, they said they had one that afternoon, I'd just finished a 14hour night duty and said I was unlikely to make that appointment. I had some holidays for the first time in almost 2years, in September. It was booked for day 2 of my holidays. Over the next 2.5months the pain only intensified, and I did my best to cope.

I went to my appointment. I mentioned that I had this pain and that I had nurse triaged myself with the likelihood that my endo had worsened and may need to be surgically removed. We then, most importantly to me, spoke about the idea of me having a baby. We went through my options, that I was at a good age to start harvesting eggs to either freeze or even creating an embryo that I could make and carry myself. My baby!! I was really here. I was really talking about doing this! I had picked names out. I hadn't even told my family, we are very close, but I couldn't wait to tell them with such overwhelming joy, of a surprise positive pregnancy test.

On examination my specialist said, my ovaries were looking good – I remember saying, "that's great because they have to make some babies!" He took some black and white photos and asked me to meet him back out at his desk.

Once there, he had a brochure there for a surgical procedure, an explorative laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. He said to me "there does seem to be something in your uterus. So, what we'll do, is this op and I can have a good look at your ovaries, your tubes and see if I can get rid of what's in your uterus." He went on to say that it's " possible it could result in damage to the uterus and make implantation of a baby unsuccessful, or he could get rid of most of it but it could grow back and it would also not allow for a successful pregnancy. But we need to get in there and have a better look." I could feel myself getting emotional and there were a few tears. Had he just told me I might not be able to get pregnant?! I asked "when?", he replied "tomorrow." I told my family, the tears started welling, the idea I might not be able to get pregnant…after all this time!! I booked it in for that Friday.

I woke from that operation in so much pain, more than I had originally! All I remember upon waking was being told he was unable to get the lump.

A week later I was called and told the cells had come back malignant and I needed to come in and see him. Malignant… cancer?! Cancer? I remember tearfully yelling "make it go away. Make it go away" in utter disbelief. How was I here?! Then I went into nursing medical mode, I was aware that my uterus was obviously going to need to be removed. Did I need chemo? Radiation?

In the waiting room with my parents, this pregnant couple came out of the office, they were booking their c-section. I turned to my Mum in tears and said, I'm never going to get to do that.
I left and went outside, in floods of tears. My Dad came and joined me. He walked with me and told me that we would work through this. Then my specialist came out and waved us in.

He knew my uterus would have to go, he didn't know about any further treatments, I'd need to go and see a Gynaeoncologist, but I'd need to have some more blood tests and scans. I even asked that he's very sure what was sent off, had been mine? He said yes.

5 days later I met with the Gynaeoncologist. Hoping to gather more answers.
It was definitely cancer, very rare and aggressive. Chemo and radiation weren't options. They wouldn't defeat the cancer. You'd just be getting the side effects. He commented that I was very young and so this was atypical, it wasn't hereditary, it was a complete fluke.

He then drew my reproductive system and then placed this big red circle around everything that needed to be removed. To him, this was treatment, what needed to be done. I looked at this, in silent shock. That was my dream on that drawing. That was what I had wanted since I was young. That was my mini me, a creation out of love, my purpose, just gone.

Everything was circled except one ovary. Funny enough, on the opposite side that I had been holding myself. He said, I know fertility is important to you, so I will aim to keep that ovary for you and it's important that we avoid surgical menopause if it's possible.

I asked what the survival rate was, he said 50/50.

At that point, as if in a well-produced block buster movie, everything went silent. I couldn't even hear my own heartbeat, my own breath, I was frozen. Time stood still.

I could only hear my Dad asking the question I had asked him over the weekend, this scale I had placed together, 0 being that it wasn't cancer and it was benign, 5 being it's cancer but it only needs simple treatment and 10 being it needed everything. I suddenly felt my Dad squeeze my hand, suddenly I was back from the abyss, he said, "Did you hear that, it's 5.5 out of 10" A glimmer of hope, I thought. Only for my gynaeoncologist to interrupt and say, "sorry I said 9.5 out of 10."

I was given a research article, only he had access to and told to think about it all, but I only had a week. No longer. The surgery needed to be booked.

Waiting to be called in for surgery was frightening, I called my niece and nephew to distract myself, hearing my 3yr old niece, who had no idea what was going on, yell as I was getting off the phone "Be brave Aunty D" made me lose it. For the first time since it all, I cried. I couldn't stop. I was there because I had cancer. I was there in hope to discover that my life was able to be saved. I was there to have my baby dream completely torn away. In a moment that I had so longed to be the tears of joy for my addition to our family were instead tears of fear and sadness. My gynaeoncologist came to ask if I was ok, I bravely said yes as I tried to hide my true emotion.

The tumour was millimetres from being out into my abdomen, but they had been able to keep 1 ovary.

I managed to get myself home on day 3 instead of day 5 and the following day I received a call to say it might be a different sort of cancer type, not that much better, but they knew this cancer was responsive to estrogen and so it was being sent off to Harvard for final results.
I knew this meant, the ovary which had been saved, would need to be removed.

8 weeks later it was confirmed to be a rare type of sarcoma was indeed estrogen positive, I had no longer than 3 months with the ovary I had left.
I remember being told "do whatever you need to do, so that you can look back and know you tried everything."  Because once it was gone, it was gone. It also meant surgical menopause, at the age of 33 with no HRT.

I started my first round of IVF shortly thereafter, to attempt to collect some eggs. Not the path I envisioned but when I set my mind to something, I knew I could do it. 10 days into it, my gynae called, with the set back that my body was rejecting the hormones, essentially it wasn't achieving what it should. I was so upset. I elected to stop and reassess after Christmas break.

The following week, we had an action plan, I was placed on the highest dose and for a longer amount of time. My fight was usually you'd have two ovaries, doubling the amount, I only had one and my entire body had been through an incredible amount up until now.

I did all the injections, bloated and uncomfortable, whilst still recovering. I had decided to freeze embryos as these were more successful than eggs. I had only 1 follicle, meaning at least 1 egg. I was told all you need is one. Sadly, the op was unsuccessful.

A week later, another blood test and I was called and excitedly told, to start immediately. This time an ultrasound showed 3 follicles. Which was too equal 3 eggs. I was over the moon!!

I was booked in for the op, to retrieve my eggs and create my embryos. My sister worked in the theatre next to the one I was in, she stayed with me as I tearfully told her how scared I was, she and my whole family knew how much I was hoping for this smallest slither of my dream to be mine. My gynae had agreed to tell her how it went.

I woke in recovery to the nurse asking, "What's your pain out of 10?" to which I replied, "where's my sister?" She went and got my sister, who I saw approaching wiping one of her eyes. I knew immediately. They didn't get any. Not one. I had no eggs. I had failed. There was no baby. The nurse asked again, what was my pain out of 10, I replied 11.

My gynae came and saw me, wiping both his eyes, he was also emotionally committed and said how sorry he was and that sadly it was time to book the removal operation.

I booked my final cancer treatment operation. 6 operations in 7 months, for a very rare, aggressive hormone positive cancer, that was now to leave me with no baby and in surgical menopause.

Cancer had made me into a different version of myself. In fact, it had turned my entire life completely upside down. I went back to work 2 weeks after my final operation, but shiftwork was no match for the surgical menopause symptoms - Hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, insomnia, lethargy, brittle nails, hair thinning, muscle & joint aches, osteoporosis, decreased sex drive, brain fog, infertile, self-image and confidence issues. Who was going to want to date me? I'm in my mid 30s and my body feels like it's in its 80s. Not to mention the grey cloud of cancer hanging over your head, worried about a reoccurrence, which the only treatment would be surgery.

I made the 2yr mark, which I was informed was a good milestone. It was at this stage I decided to make it a daily effort to try not to worry about the C word. I wanted to take my life back.

I changed my job; I sold my place and bought a new house. Most notably with a yard as I proudly became a Mum, a dog Mum! To the two best paws! They've got me through it all, my angels with paws!

It's more than 7 years ago that my life and that version of me completely changed having been diagnosed with cancer. I'm most grateful for the fact that I'm here. I'm here to share my story, because nothing matters to me more than my passion to make a difference to those that have, had and are fighting with Gynaecological Cancer.

We need to increase the survival rates of those diagnosed with Gynaecological Cancer, we need to research more treatment options for those diagnosed with Gynaecological Cancer, we need to know more, to do more. Gynaecological cancer is deadly and has lifelong permanent impacts, at any age.

So please help me, help all of those diagnosed with Gynaecological Cancer.

Because life has meaning when you have purpose. Mine is with the AGCF and we need your help!

Danielle 

Watch Danielle speak on her experience and share her message on the AGCF Facebook here.

Hello friends of AGCF, I write to thank you for your generous support to AGCF as we wrap up a busy year and greet 2025.  A new year brings time to refresh our ideas, strategies and plans and to build on the strong foundations we've created to date.  A new year helps to reflect on how far we've come with the personal encouragement of brave advocates like the late Senator Jeannie Ferris, Carmen Duncan, and Merle F, co-founder & director of AGCF - and the very many women who battled gynae cancer and died prematurely.

A new year in 2025 gives funders & philanthropists, researchers, gynae oncologists, consumer advocacy agencies, renewed opportunities to bring gynae cancer treatments to an equitable level of health funding – and survival - to that of breast cancer, with an admirable 90% survival rate beyond 5 years. Of the 8 gynae cancers, only cervical cancer has a vaccine and reliable screening test. All of the 8 gynae cancers are deadly if diagnosed at an advanced stage.

A little known fact is that more than 7000 women in Australia are newly diagnosed with a gynae cancer each year, that's 35 thousand over 5 years!  By 2030, morbidity and mortality indicators show that 31% of those 7000 women diagnosed with gynae cancer will not survive beyond 5 years, and more than 51% of the women with advanced ovarian cancer will not survive beyond 5 years. Tragic and compelling stats.

The case for increased funding and improved care is indeed compelling, and for the women and their families, the need is overwhelming – improved treatments that are beyond raffles, quiz nights, purple nail painting parties – serious financial investment in gynae cancer research to generate breakthrough results and improve survival rates. Compared to the ongoing investment in breast cancer research, treatment and survival rates, which we applaud, women with a gynae cancer diagnosis are disadvantaged and life limited by Australia's low level of research investment. 20 years ago, breast cancer and gynae cancer survival rates were near level.

With a federal election looming in the first half of 2025, we are optimistic to present a strong case for increased funding for gynae cancer and laboratory research investment – evidence shows that breakthrough research saves lives. The AGCF will present a budget submission to Treasury, to the Health Minister, Hon Mark Butler, the Labor Party, and to the Opposition Spokesperson on Health, Hon Anne Ruston and the Coalition.  An election presents an opportunity to secure funding for the AGCF brilliant minds Fellowships, for breakthrough research, giving hope to women and their families.

Progress is being made with Government funding for gynae cancers. We commend Minister Butler and Assistant Minister Ged Kearney for their 2024 efforts to increase funding to Rare Cancers Australia, to begin to address the inequities for everyone with cancer; for supporting the new immunotherapy treatments for endometrial cancer; and reducing the costs to patients for pharmaceuticals for endometrial cancer.

The AGCF quarterly newsletter – news, research updates, & personal stories.  We thank our talented editor, Nathaniel Barlow, for his efforts to bring the Newsletter to you each quarter and we invite you to keep Nate busy by sharing your stories with us on surviving and thriving post gynae cancer, and latest research to info@agcf.org.au.

Keep up to date with AGCF events, news and important gynae cancer research posted on AGCF website at https://agcf.org.au/research/why-research-matters/ including: 

The AGCF was the charity recipient of funds raised at the recent Blue Wealth Lunch.

Dr Tony Hayek, CEO of Blue Wealth Property, with colleagues Natash Ankus, Milly Coinakis and Andrew Mortimer, hosted a fundraising lunch with the multi-talented Chair of AGCF, Ms Diane Langmack OAM, in her role as General Manager of Stakeholder Engagement with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club, and with the Awesome Blue Wealth Ladies.  AGCF was the nominated charity and we thank the Blue Wealth team and the lunch ladies for their generous donations to AGCF.

Interview by Dr Tony Hayek with AGCF Board Chair, Diane Langmack, OAM.

At the lunch, Tony interviewed Diane on the 101 things people would like to know about her career at the Bulldogs, as a sports journalist, writer, previous roles with Panthers Rugby League Club as Public Relations Manager, Panthers on the Prowl Board Member and Chair of Panthers Women in League for over 20 years.  Diane spent 9 years with the Bulldogs back in the 1980's when they were the number one team in the National Rugby League.  Over the past 30 years, she has raised thousands of dollars for many foundations, she holds the position of Chair with Cure the Future Foundation, is an experienced journalist and editor of a popular sports magazine.

What isn't well known is that Diane has suffered from two cancers – Non Hodgkin Lymphoma and Breast Cancer and been in remission for over 6 years. Diane's charity and community efforts have been phenomenal. She was nominated in 2009 and 2010 for the National Rugby League Women of the Year, nominated in 2010 for the NSW Women of the Year, & 2010 Telstra Women of the Year.  In 2011 she was a finalist in the NSW Volunteer of the Year.  In 2012 she was given the Outstanding Community Service Award, Certificate of Commendation from NSW Parliament.  In 2013 she received an Order of Australia Medal for her work with charity groups. The AGCF Board and Ambassador team are proud to have Diane as our Chair and advocacy leader.

I thank you again friends of the AGCF for your participation in 2024.  We look forward to 2025 with your ongoing support, advancing breakthrough laboratory research for gynae cancers – sharing hope for women and their families.

Best wishes and regards, Leonie

Leonie Young MAICD

CEO & Dep Chair AGCF

The AGCF Board & team members were saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Dr Alan Carless in November. Alan was a former Exec Officer for AGCF, and, together with his wife and women's health champion, Marie Ficarra, gave outstanding friendship, service and guidance to AGCF's development.  Alan and Marie were supportive of AGCF from its foundation in 2011 with Prof Neville Hacker, through its NFP operational stages to the inspiring national launch at Parliament House Canberra in 2015, by former Health Minister Sussan Ley MP.  Importantly, they were party to the establishment of AGCF's national gynae cancer brilliant minds post doctoral, 2 year, research fellowships. 

Alan was born in Melbourne in 1947 and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; his postgrad qualifications and clinical experience were gained in hospital, general and public health practice in Aus and the UK. 

In a career spanning five decades since 1971, Alan played critical roles in medical service delivery, health promotion and injury management programs, combining administrative and clinical skills to achieve better health outcomes for people as individuals, and for population groups, in his public health leadership roles; he enjoyed playing an advisory role in leading edge medical technology for many years in his later career.

Alan's career and his driving interest to always improve health outcomes and systems led to his roles as Chief Medical Advisor to Medicare, Medibank Private, Australia Post, and Foundation Health Care.

AGCF was blessed to have the benefit of Alan's extensive health expertise for our development as a medical research centred charity, and his ongoing interest and support for an ongoing Fellowship program, funding brilliant mind researchers to conduct breakthrough laboratory research for all 8 gynae cancers.

We extend our condolences to Alan's extended family, and to Alan's adored wife and partner in all things, the indefatigable Marie Ficarra, OAM, former NSW MP, former Mayor of Hurstville, Cronulla community stalwart, women's health advocate, and AGCF Ambassador.

Vale Alan.

AGCF wishes you a safe and festive holiday season.