Making a Difference

2024 is the 16th year the Pirtek Fishing Challenge has supported leading medical research organisations; the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital.

In Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. In 2023, there were more than 25,400 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia*, accounting for more than a quarter of all types of cancer diagnosed in men. Tragically, this resulted in more than 3700 deaths.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is a broad based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. It is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, recognising the diversity of the Australian community.

The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney has recently been lauded as the number one Neuroscience Research facility in Australia.

The focus of the Unit is to study adult stem cells and their role in causing and exacerbating neurological diseases. The goal is to find and apply new neuroscience techniques for patients suffering from diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s, and other neurological infections and stroke.

Proceeds from the Pirtek Fishing Challenge will be split between these two leading medical research organisations.

* – Statistics courtesy of Cancer Council and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare .