08/09/2008

Flinders Medical Miracles

Channel 7 newsreader Jane Doyle has hosted a series of Inspirational Luncheons at SKYCITY Adelaide Casino throughout the year to inform local business leaders on the world-leading research carried out in their own backyards at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC).

The luncheons, which started in April and will finish on September 8, have tackled many areas of vital disease research and have raised a considerable amount of funds and support for the FMC Foundation for research at Flinders.

Jane is a staunch supporter of the groundbreaking research carried out at Flinders Medical Centre and is keenly aware that many projects sometimes struggle to get the awareness and funding they require.

"It is important to inform the public on the progress of medical research into diseases that threaten the lives of many Australians and people around the world," Jane said.

"I have heard first hand the important work carried out by many of these researchers and I am pleased to have had this opportunity to learn more and share this knowledge with others."

The Inspirational Luncheon at SKYCITY Adelaide Casino series has allowed some of Flinders Medical Centre's finest researchers to present their work to small groups of Adelaide's leaders, including:

• Associate Professor Pamela Sykes work into very small doses of radiation and how they could actually be protecting us from developing cancer.

• The missing link in cardiac care in rural areas and how an ingenious internet based system developed by Dr Phil Tideman can help save the lives of country based patients.

• Professor Simon Brookes research into discovering nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract and how this could provide answers for obesity and pain management.

• ICCU director Professor Andrew Bersten's work in creating better outcomes for patients with lung damage, particularly chronic heart failure patients.

• The development of a new test and possible cure for prostate cancer by Professor Greg Barritt.

And Dr Håkan Muyderman will finish the series on September 8 with a presentation on his work that is fine-tuning ways to selectively target brain cells to treat them for the damage caused by stroke.

The Inspirational Luncheon concept was devised by the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation to raise awareness of the local research in Adelaide that is achieving global results.

SKYCITY Adelaide has generously sponsored the series with Jane Doyle lending her support as
host of each lunch.

More info
Maxine Pollard
FMC Foundation
08 8204 5216
maxine.pollard@fmc.sa.gov.au