There are so many ways Victorians like you are helping to accelerate discoveries in cancer research. For John, that meant donating a tumour sample to the Victorian Cancer Biobank.
John, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in July 2023, did not think twice when he donated his colon tissue sample to the Victorian Cancer Biobank (VCB).
"It was just common sense. My GP explained the benefits of doing it. I’m an academic, and I know that researchers need as much data as possible to achieve their goal,” he said.
Like so many Australian families, John’s family has been deeply impacted by cancer.
“My memory of my first encounter with cancer is subconscious. I was a toddler. My mother nursed my father’s mother through the last year of her life, the first year of mine. Mum told me Grandma’s suffering was horrific. I grew up knowing that cancer was terrifying,” said John.
“Yet, when I was told that I had bowel cancer, I didn’t panic. Admittedly, I was half anaesthetised, and I am rather deaf; the endoscopist had to tell me twice. But my wife agrees that I took the news quiet calmly. I remember thinking, ‘That’s something new, that will have to be dealt with’. Why was I not terrified?
“My brother Peter, our family genealogist, told me a couple of years ago that I was the oldest male in our Wood ancestry since the 17th century. Cancer is a predictable reward for being 84. I knew that.’”
John’s reaction was influenced by personal experience of those he knew and had lost. But also, by seeing the advances in treatment that benefitted his best friend, Lance, brother-in-law, John, and now his brother Frank, in slowing their cancers growth.
“Their experience had taught me that diagnosis was no longer a death sentence. Work already done by researchers gave me hope for cure and for comfort.”
40,000 Victorians like John have generously provided much-needed blood and tissue samples for lifesaving cancer research. The Victorian Cancer Biobank (VCB), which collects a wide range of biospecimens for cancer research, reached this exciting milestone in April.
The VCB is a vast library of biospecimens including tumour tissue and blood samples. This incredible resource helps researchers learn more about diseases like cancer to discover new treatments and improve how cancer is diagnosed, so more cancers like John’s can be found early.
In 2022-23 alone, the VCB supported 60 projects, with 82 per cent of them based in Victoria. Melbourne researcher Dr Jessica da Gama Duarte from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is using samples from the VCB to identify a novel pan-cancer diagnostic test to detect cancer early.
“Researchers often ask me how I obtain hundreds of patient samples with available anonymised clinical data. I always say that there is one place I go to first, and that’s the VCB,” said Dr da Gama Duarte.
For Dr Wayne Ng, General Manager of the VCB, people are the true power behind biobanking.
“40,000 Victorians have participated in our biobanking program, meaning that we have been able to provide their precious tissue and blood samples to progress many cancer research and development projects both locally and internationally,” Dr Ng said.
John expressed admiration for the VCB’s creation of such a unique and precious resource and commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients.
“The work of doctors and nurses using the results of the VCB’s research is beautiful to experience.”
Pictured from left Tess McKay (VCB Scientist at Austin Health), Jesicca, John Woods, Angela Mountain (VCB Manager at Austin Health)
John is quick to encourage all cancer patients to donate to the VCB as more donations are needed to help drive cancer research.
“The VCB should receive tissues from everyone with cancer. Hesitant patients should be persuaded to donate their sample. It could be the one to teach a scientist how to save their life and countless others.”
Donors like John are helping to unlock secrets about cancer, which can lead to better outcomes for cancer patients across the world.
“I hope for the day when using resources like VCB, you defeat cancers one after the other, and patients just see reassurance and peace of mind in the smiling eyes of those who treat them,” said John.
We are very grateful to all patients who donate to the vital work of the Victorian Cancer Biobank
The donation of tissue, blood and health information to the Victorian Cancer Biobank is a gift and we are very grateful to all patients who generously support our work.
The tissue/blood donation to VCB is available through our partnered hospitals, i.e. Austin health, Eastern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Monash Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Learn more about how you can donate tissue to the Victorian Cancer Biobank.
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