ANZSA Newsletter - September 2024

Message from the CEO of ANZSA

 The 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Brisbane is only two weeks away!

 Registrations are STILL OPEN and we hope to see many of you there in person. This year will be special   as we host our inaugral Sarcoma Community forum, led by the Consumer Advisory Panel. It promises to   be a rewarding day for patients, carers, survivors. Hear from leading researchers and sarcoma specialists  from Australia, New Zealand and beyond about the latest adavancements in the field. Dont miss out!

 As we enter this busy and exciting time, I want to thank you for your ongoing support on behalf of ANZSA. We look forward to connecting with you!

Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 

Our 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting will run alongside the 22nd International Society of Limb Salvage General Meeting 2024.

Join the discussion with global researchers and sarcoma specialists about the most up to date multidisciplinary research in the sarcoma field, hear carer and survivor stories, as well as participate in workshops, in our dedicated Sarcoma Community Connection link session then take a front row seat for the Great Debate focussing in on clinical trials. 

Plus, this year we are delighted to welcome Dr Nathalie Gaspar a paediatric oncologist at Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus in Villejuif, France. Specialising in bone sarcomas in young people, she is actively involved in clinical trials developments in Europe and will be sharing her expertise presenting the Professor Martin Tattersall Lecture. 

We are also looking forward to welcoming Professor Paul Huang, Leader of the Molecular and Systems Oncology Group at the Institute of Cancer Research, London. He will deliver a presentation on Precision Medicine in Soft Tissue Sarcomas to close out our first day in Brisbane. 

ANZSA ASM Details:

When: Thursday 10th - Friday 11th of October 2024

Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Registration: Click here to register for the ASM. 

ASM Program: here.

Sarcoma Community Connection

The Sarcoma Community Connection is an in-person attendance only with a small registration fee. Proceeds from ticket purchases go directly towards sarcoma research. Registration fee is included in ticket price for anyone who is also attending the 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting.

If you wish to attend both our Annual Scientific Meeting and our Community Connection Forum, please contact us at contact@sarcoma.org.au so we can register your attendance for both events. 

Successful Sarcoma Awareness Month 

This July, the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association wrapped up our most successful Sarcoma Awareness Month to date.

Sarcoma survivor spokespersons were featured on Channel 7 Melbourne, Channel 9 Brisbane, ABC News Canberra, WIN News Canberra and TVN to name but a few.

The hard work to raise awareness for this rare cancer does not stop just because July is over. At ANZSA, every month is sarcoma awareness month. If you’d like to learn more about Australian and New Zealand sarcoma research, or how to get involved head to sarcoma.org.au.

Are you a sarcoma survivor with a story to tell?

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch contact@sarcoma.org.au and you can help to change the future of patients and families.  

Thanks to our incredible community who have already shared their experience, support networks and advice. You can look forward to more sarcoma stories coming soon. 

2025 Fellowship: Andrew Ursini Charitable Fund

Named to honour the memory of a past GPA Engineering Director, the GPA Andrew Ursini Charitable fund is supporting a two-year Clinical Research Fellowship starting in 2025. Applications are open now for qualified clinicians in Australia to undertake a clinical research study whilst continuing sarcoma clinical care. 

For more information about this opportunity, please reach out to us at contact@sarcoma.org.au. Don’t miss your chance to apply—applications close on November 22nd! 

Database developed to boost national research collaboration

ANZSA has recently committed to a major redevelopment of the database. The updated database with robust infrastructure and multi-site ethics approval will safeguard data security and improve functionality that will afford data to be updated easily, ensuring high quality and accurate records. The upgrade will facilitate more sites to participate in data entry and enable national and international research collaboration including linkage with funded initiatives.

With the help of Biogrid, the database development project has commenced. Our first step is the HREC submission and governance for the database, which will incorporate the ethical approval for data collection at each site and data linkage. We have also sought the advice of the ANZSA Consumer Advisory Committee for their input. The database will then be redeveloped onto the REDCap platform, and we aim to be testing and finalising the new database in 2025.

Research Updates

Metastatic LMS Biomarker Study: 

In June, the LMS study began at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre with Dr Stephen Luen as Principal Investigator. Followed by the opening of the second site at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse one month later with the Principal Investigator A/Prof Peter Grimison.

This study is being led by Dr Scott Schuetze from the University of Michigan in the USA. It aims to examine the change in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in the blood of patients before, during and after treatment which may help to inform whether ctDNA can serve as a biomarker of tumour response to chemotherapy in this particular disease. 

Both sites are now open for recruitment.

MLS Study:

As of now, the MLS study has successfully recruited sixteen patients across Australia. On September 9th, a new site was activated: The Canberra Hospital is now open for recruitment, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Hilde Kleiven.

Voting for AGM

In this year’s AGM being held at the ASM we are voting on new members of the board. This will be done electronically. If you are a current financial member of ANZSA you will have received  an email from contact@sarcoma.org.au with a link to the voting platform as well as your unique key to access the platform. The voting window closes on the 7^th of October.

Without the key you won’t  be able to vote and the key will only be valid for one use.

Fundraising Updates

We want to extend our gratitude for the generous contributions and unwavering contribution from our long-time supporters. Your commitment plays a vital role in advancing Sarcoma research and making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Sarcoma.

Marina's Walk – Walk 50 before Fifty 

Walk 50 before fifty took place on the 24^th of August and was able to raise over $8K,  $ This event was organised by Marina who has had a lived experience with soft tissue sarcomas and created this event to help support ANZSA and raise awareness for this rare type of cancer. If you would like to donate please find the link here!

KB's Legacy Celebration 

Join us for KB’s Legacy Celebration and fundraiser event on the 7th of November! This event will include live band Sonic Assault to help raise awareness and funds for Sarcoma cancer research. Don’t miss out on the fun for a great cause and rock out to the live band.

If you would like to contribute to this cause please find the tickets via the QR code or here.

Olive’s Steps to Fight Sarcoma

Next Friday the 4th of October, the family will walk the rail trail from the Stump Hotel to the old Railway Station in Tallangatta which is approximately 35 kilometres to raise funds for ANZSA! Through your generosity, ANZSA dedicates 100% of your donations towards crucial sarcoma research and clinical trials to save and improve lives.

They have raised an impressive $8,358 so far! A huge thank you to Olive’s Steps to Fight Sarcoma for your incredible work!
If you would like to contribute to this amazing cause please find the donation page via the QR code or find the donation website here.

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