Arrow funds groundbreaking stem cell research for severe degenerative invertebral disc disease

Severe degenerative invertebral disc (IVD) disease is an incurable condition and a major cause of harsh back pain. It has been demonstrated that human bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) can survive when transplanted into the IVDs of rodents.

Researchers from the Blood Stem Cell & Cancer Research Unit at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, and the Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Clinical School, UNSW, have also shown that these disc like cells can be generated from BMSCs in culture flasks.

As it is Arrow's mission to foster research into diseases treatable by bone marrow and stem cell therapy, a funding grant of $40,000 has been approved by Arrow's Executive Committee to support this very promising research project which is now at the exciting stage of transplanting the disc like cells into rodents to test their potential to repair damaged IVDs. This new study is part of an adult stem cell programme and hopes to benefit thousands of patients with severe lower back pain.

 

Arrow's 'Evening of Elegance' Ball 2008 - Turning Heartache into Hope

When Arrow's new Ball Committee: Helen Psarakis; Karen Nunn; Leonie Pierce; Mark O'Hara and committee marketing adviser Catherine McClintock, from Eljay Marketing, set out to plan this year's 'Evening of Elegance' Ball held at the Shangri-la Hotel on Saturday 9th August, it was with the intention of turning tragedy into hope for other sufferers.

When Karen and Leonie's sister, Sandra Mason, died just a week after diagnosis, they were told by doctors that with more research funding, Sandra may still be alive today. The sisters turned their grief into support for Arrow's mission to raise funds for Leukaemia research by joining with Helen and Mark to organise the hugely successful annual fundraising event which was held on what would have been Sandra's 53rd birthday.

The elegant event was hosted by Underbelly actor Simon Westaway and was a major success largely due to overwhelming support from the business community and friends, family and associates of our dedicated Ball Committee.

Guests were treated to graceful music from a quintet from the Conservatorium of Music (for information contact emma_27_@hotmail.com) and after a delectable meal, danced the night away to the tunes of the 'Big Party Band' and Greek classics provided by Helen. Arrow thanks this year's Ball Committee for organising an evening which was enjoyed by all who attended whilst raising much needed funds for research into the treatment and cure of leukaemia.

 

Arrow funds comprehensive guides on the transplant process

Arrow supports patients and carers by funding comprehensive guides on the transplant process, enabling patients considering a transplant to make informed decisions.

In addition to the Arrow sponsored Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant - A patient's guide and Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant - A patient's guide, Arrow has proudly contributed $10,000 to the production of the newly released paediatric version of the guide titled: Blood & Marrow Transplant in Children: A guide for parents and other family members.

Copies can be ordered from the BMT Network NSW website: www.bmtnsw.com.au

 

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (HCC)

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (HCC) celebrated its 31st year in 2008, continuing a long and rewarding association with Arrow. Arrow's Vice President, and paddler, Mark O'Hara, was presented with a cheque for an amazing $185,000 following the 2008 event in which over 500 paddlers, and almost double that number of land crew, took up the overnight challenge for charity.

In the last 13 years, the HCC has raised approximately $2 million in support of Arrow's PhD scholarship students, a Senior Research Scientist, and their research projects into the: prevention, treatment and cure for leukaemia.

"On the 1st weekend in November this year (2008), Mark O'Hara, our Vice President, and Executive Committee member, Darren Williams, paddled in the Classic. My wife and I were land crew for three paddlers. Brent and Heidi Fisse were Race Officials, and committee members. Arrow members, PhD scholarship recipients, and supporters, turned up at the start to help with registrations, raffle ticket sales, manning stores, scrutineering, marshalling and generally looking good in very bright pink t-shirts," said Arrow's President, David Nomchong.

"We have been overwhelmed by this extraordinary donation from the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Association and the commitment of the paddlers, their ground crews, the volunteer services, their supporters and the executive committee of the HCC. This is an incredible longstanding partnership of which the value can never be understated," he said.

The Count Foundation from Armidale, in association with The Armidale School (TAS) and its community, presented a cheque to the HCC in support of Arrow for $20,000; an outstanding effort considering the tough economic times. Pip Warrick, Director of Enrolments at TAS, said it has become apparent that the HCC has become a "Rite of Passage" for students at the school, and very much a tradition with the headmaster and teachers joining in the paddle each year.

The Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation could not exist without the continued support of the HCC, and the HCC could not take place without the tireless efforts of Race Director, Caroline Kessler; President, Kent Heazlett and Wendy McLean, its executive committee, volunteers and the paddlers, and we thank you.

For information email: info@canoeclassic.asn.au

 

Hope

Written by Arrow Executive Committee member, Darren Williams

I recently had the pleasure of competing in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (www.canoeclassic.asn.au), a 111km overnight race/paddle down the Hawkesbury River. This is an annual mecca for kayak and canoe enthusiasts plus anyone else looking to test their abilities on the water or just has that needed dash of insanity. It is also a key fund raising event for the Arrow Foundation (www.arrow.org.au) that supports patients and families dealing with leukaemia and other diseases treatable by bone marrow transplants as well as funding medical research.

Using some of the 15 minutes of fame that Andy Warhol has promised us all, the organisers allowed my family and me to draw the raffle, one part of the events fundraising. I was given this honour as 6 years ago I underwent a bone marrow transplant at St Vincent's Public Hospital for leukaemia and now enjoy each day of good health given to me by the medical team and those who help fund them. What I wanted to tell each of the 500+ paddlers is that not only were they taking part in one of Australia's great endurance sporting events but they were also helping to give hope to the unfortunate many in Australia that have to deal with this type of cancer. Other than cancer I also suffer from embarrassment and didn't say a word hence this note.

Hope can be a powerful thing.

In 2001 I heard 3 words that should never be put together "you have cancer". I had finally settled down in Sydney after spending most of my twenties bouncing around Africa doing things that should have seen me dead many times over. Married the girl of my dreams and was enjoying raising my 10 month old daughter. Not Fair! This is the response of many who hear these 3 words including me. I consider myself a reasonable person and try to do right by others. But began to wish someone else had this cancer, not me. Let someone else fight this, someone who didn't have a young family, who hadn't decided to live the safe life, who didn't care. Cancer is a dangerous thing on many levels and can defeat you mentally as well as physically.

Fortunately I have a very supportive and close family, a great medical team at St Vincent's Public Hospital and the Arrow Foundation backing me. Cancer has brought me to my physical and proverbial knees many times but I have been lucky, some say I have made it.

I have and will always fight to hold onto my health. I have realised what I have to lose, it isn't anything that can be brought or sold. It is wanting to grow old with my wife, wanting to get angry with my daughter about her future boyfriends, wanting to walk her down the aisle when God finally produces the perfect man, having a beer or three with my son, the list goes on. Since my transplant I have trained for and competed in my first Ironman then three more after that, two with my wife. I had always wanted to compete in "The Classic" but the timing always clashed with my triathlon training. Post transplant I do fatigue easily. I struggle with people sneezing on the other side of the country causing me to come down with a cold. I have had numerous rounds with pneumonia, shingles, hernia and other weird bugs. I am also a coward and scared of missing out on anything that I will do most things to stay around!

One thing cancer does give that I wouldn't change is raw emotion. Many people don't understand this and confuse it with the canned stuff delivered on TV. Strip everything away and you learn to truly feel. My family, friends, Ironman Triathlon and now The Classic has given me this, without the need for radiation and chemo! At 3:30am on Sunday I was roughly 85km into the race, it was dark, I was wet and cold and my body was screaming out to stop. I was experiencing dizzy spells and began to worry about tipping my kayak. I then began to blubber like an idiot. I'm not a good enough writer to put my thoughts into words. I was thinking about everyone who had not won their battles with cancer and those that would one day have to face it. I was thinking of my wonderful wife, daughter and son.

I find testing my self physically and mentally gives me some sort of childish assurance that I am strong. I have experience looking down at my crying infant daughter and not having the strength to pick her up. Never again. Others find this strength from their own sources, it is important that we all find this to succeed. One common thing that I know in my heart is that it is a million times harder to do this without hope.

The organisers and participants in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic help give this hope. The people at the Arrow Foundation and the medical teams they help support give hope.

Thankyou.

There will always be hope while people like this are there. That is our true wealth.

 

Light the Night

Researchers at St Vincent's Hospital (Sydney) Blood Diseases and Cancer Research Unit have identified a gene that appears to be crucial in cell survival. The goal of the project is to discover the role of the gene in the development of cancer, and how it may influence the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.

"This gene is a potential target for developing new drugs to cure cancer," says Professor David Ma.

This exciting "Gene Switch" research project could not be undertaken without funds raised by the Light the Night Benefit Concert which is held annually at the City Recital Hall in memory of Matthew Rennie, who has been the motivation behind the event since its conception four years ago. Matthew's brothers, Shaun and Adam, and good friends Monica and Greg Smith said they could not sit back and do nothing while Matthew fought his courageous battle against leukaemia; so together they created an enchanting concert that celebrates Matthew's life, whilst raising vital funds to save the lives of others. The audience was blown away by the diverse range of overwhelming talent on show.

Matthew was loved by many, and to everyone who has asked Shaun and the Rennie family if there's anything they can do to show their support, the answer is a resounding YES. Cole Rennie has asked that as many people as possible donate blood to the Red Cross and tick the bone marrow transplant box to help save lives.

This year's event raised $45,000 bringing the total amount achieved to a huge $175,000 for research into a cure for leukaemia. All proceeds will directly fund the "Gene Switch" research project which will help facilitate new strategies for cancer treatment.

For details of this event please visit www.lightthenight.com.au.

 

Cardinal Pell joins Arrow in support of advances in adult stem cell research for leukaemia and related diseases

Cardinal George Pell, the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, commenced his role as Patron of Arrow on Friday, 9th November 2007.

Cardinal George Pell was born in Ballarat in 1941 and was educated in that city at Loreto Convent and St Patrick's College. He studied for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College, Werribee, and Propaganda Fide College, Rome, and was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Ballarat, St Peter's Basilica, Rome, in 1966.

In 1987 Cardinal Pell was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and in July 1996 Pope John Paul II appointed him seventh Metropolitan Archbishop of Melbourne. He was appointed the eighth Metropolitan Archbishop of Sydney in 2001, and elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals in 2003.

Cardinal Pell holds a Licentiate in Theology from Urban University, Rome (1967), a Masters Degree in Education from Monash University, Melbourne (1982), and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Church History from the University of Oxford (1971). He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, and was Visiting Scholar at Campion Hall, Oxford University, in 1979 and at St Edmund's College, Cambridge University, in 1983. He was elected an Honorary Fellow of St Edmund's in 2003.

Cardinal Pell was made a Companion in the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005 for service to the Catholic Church in Australia, and internationally, for raising debate on matters of an ethical and spiritual nature, to education, and to social justice.

Since 2001, Cardinal Pell has been a weekly columnist for Sydney's Sunday Telegraph. His other publications include: The Sisters of St Joseph in Swan Hill 1922-72 (1972), Catholicism in Australia (1988), Rerum Novarum: One Hundred Years Later (1992), Issues of Faith and Morals (OUP, 1996), Catholicism and the Architecture of Freedom (1999), and Be Not Afraid (2004), a collection homilies and writings from the last forty years. God and Caesar, a selection of Cardinal Pell's essays on religion, politics and society, was published by Catholic University of America Press and Connor Court Publishing in October 2007.

In earlier years Cardinal Pell was a keen sports coach in soccer, Aussie Rules and rowing. He is Vice Patron of the Richmond Football Club and a long term supporter and member of the Club since he signed to play with them in 1959.

In 2003 Cardinal Pell's commitment to the search for treatments for life-threatening illnesses led to the establishment of a grant from the Archdiocese of Sydney to support adult stem cell research. The first grant of $50,000 was won that year by Professor Alan Mackay-Sim of Griffith University for a project which was designed to see whether adult stem cells derived from the nose had therapeutic potential in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Professor Mackay-Sim was subsequently appointed Director of the National Adult Stem Cell Research Centre at Griffith University.

In 2005 a $100,000 grant was awarded to Dr Pritinder Kaur of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute for a project which was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of adult stem cells derived from the skin in regenerating human skin after catastrophic burns.

In 2007 the $100,000 grant was won by an Adelaide-based research team, led by Associate Professor Stan Gronthos and Dr Simon Koblar, for a project to investigate the capacity of stem cells derived from human dental pulp tissue to differentiate into neuronal cells, and hence whether they have the potential to be used in treating people who have suffered strokes.