Film night to fundraise for cancer research

TICKETS are now on sale for a screening of Dumb Money, which is being held at Bendigo Cinema to raise money for gut and bowel cancer research.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Bendigo Health’s cancer research manager Narelle McPhee.

“For me it’s about giving something back to the Australian Gastro Intestinal Trials Group, because of their recognition of regional trial sites,” Ms McPhee said.

Last year AGITG named Ms McPhee and her team the regional clinical trial unit of the year, an honour Ms McPhee said she appreciated.

“When you support a regional trial unit it means that people who live outside metropolitan health services get access to clinical trials,” she said.

“They get care closer to home and that’s something that’s really important to me,” she said.

Ms McPhee and the team at the cancer research centre regularly conduct clinical trials to give patients in the Loddon Mallee region access to treatment.

“Most of the clinical trial activity in the cancer space does occur in metropolitan areas at larger hospitals, but we’re increasing our footprint in this space,” she said.

In addition to her fundraising efforts, Ms McPhee will join fellow researchers on a 23-kilometre hike on New Zealand’s South Island next month to raise awareness for AGITG.

Proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go towards funding clinical trials and supporting people affected by gastrointestinal cancer.

The movie night will be held and Bendigo cinema next Thursday 19 October and tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Donations can be made to support the cause via Narelle McPhee’s gofundraise page.