THIS month\u2019s Lighthouse Classic will have a dual meaning with event set to raise funds for cancer research and honour founder, Janet Jones, who recently lost her own battle with cancer.<\/p>\n
Now in its second year, the Lighthouse Classic was established by Ms Jones to shed new light on what causes cancer and how it can be treated more effectively.<\/p>\n
Participants can walk or run anywhere they like to complete the challenge any time during January, with 12 kilometres the suggested distance.<\/p>\n
Last year, more than 780 walkers and runners participated in the challenge, with most choosing the return route from Urquhart Bluff to the Aireys Inlet lighthouse.<\/p>\n
As a result of Ms Jones’ vision for the Lighthouse Classic, more than $70,000 was raised for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute in just over a month, enough to fund a cancer research scientist at until the end of 2021.<\/p>\n
A former Ballarat resident, Ms Jones personally faced three separate battles with cancer over 33 years and was always passionate about research that might help others facing similar challenges.<\/p>\n
She first began supporting the FECRI in the early 1990s when it was known as the Cancer in Kids Auxiliary.<\/p>\n
Leading the research at FECRI is Professor George Kannourakis, who was Ms Jones’ oncologist for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n
He was inspired to establish the research institute in the early 1990s as a promise to terminally ill teenager, Fiona Elsey.<\/p>\n
Ms Jones was part of this development from the very start, assisting to drive fundraising for the establishment of the centre.<\/p>\n
“Janet was courageous, determined and inspirational in her efforts to help achieve better results for all cancer patients,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The Lighthouse Classic raises much-needed funds for our research to better treat aggressive cancers in the future.”<\/p>\n
All funds will go to FECRI, which is Australia’s only regionally-based cancer research centre.<\/p>\n