Cheers for cancer research

THE Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute is hosting its first ever online wine auction this month.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly towards the Ballarat run research program that specialises in studying a range of cancers.

Marketing Coordinator at FECRI Sally Walsh said the programs are fully funded by initiative like the auction.

“This year, we’ve been fundraising for a new breast cancer project,” she said. “Experiments cost a lot of money and without government funding it keeps us very busy.

“We rely very heavily on different grants from organisations and hospitals but community support is paramount to continue the work we’re doing.”

Over 200 bottles of wine were donated by winemakers across Victoria and South Australia and will go up for auction.

Ms Walsh said the selection ranges in ages and types from wineries including Redman Wines, Mitchell Harris, Mt Langhi Ghiran, Captains Creek and Bests.

“We started approaching different wineries and they all got on board eagerly,” she said. “Some wineries have seen online sales go through the roof so they were very excited to support us.

“It’s a real mix of local wineries and others from South Australia, a few from the Macedon region and some donated by Mercure and Campana’s cellars.”

Melissa Loe Brand Manager for Mount Langi Ghiran said it was a no brainer for the winery to donate to the auction.

“When FECRI reached out, we knew we had to support such an important part of our local community,” she said.

“Not only is cancer research close to our hearts, but we’ve been here in Bayindeen since 1969 so the opportunity to give back to the wider Ballarat community in any small way we could absolutely made sense.”

With their fundraising events either postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, the non-Government funded institute tried to think outside the box.

To tap into something people have been enjoying over lockdown, naturally, wine was the first thing that came to mind.

“One of our team members had been thinking about what they’d been getting up to in lockdown and we went with it,” Ms Walsh said. We’ve been planning this since April since plans were beginning to cancel.

“We are very grateful for everyone’s support ultimately to help us continue with our research.”

The auction will hold place on FECRI’s website from Friday 10 July with bidding closing Thursday 23 July. Visit fecri.org.au to find out more.