In the world of medical research, there are those individuals whose dedication and passion shine through, making a significant impact on the lives of others. One remarkable individual is Elyse Page, a postdoctoral researcher at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
With her unwavering commitment to finding innovative solutions in cancer treatment, Elyse has become a beacon of hope for patients and their families, and she’s proud to be an ambassador for the SAHMRI Bright Walk event on 22 July.
The epic one-night walking challenge aims to raise one million dollars for life-saving medical research.
With each step illuminated by light installations, 2,500 people will walk past the iconic cheesegrater building home to South Australia’s brightest researchers who are working hard to cure disease and save lives.
Elyse’s journey into cancer research can be traced back to a pivotal biochemistry lecture during her third year of studies.
There, Professor Deb White delivered a lecture on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), sparking a deep fascination within Elyse. Fuelled by her newfound passion, she embarked on a placement project at SAHMRI under Professor White’s guidance, eventually pursuing a PhD and becoming a postdoc in the same laboratory.
Elyse’s personal connection to cancer adds an extra layer of motivation to her work.
“My dad had blood cancer when I was a child, and while I didn’t understand it, I knew he was sick and wanted to find a way to stop it,” Elyse says.
“In 2020, he relapsed, and the blood cancer transformed into a very aggressive disease. He had to have high-dose chemotherapy, which meant two weeks admitted to hospital on a chemo drip, then two weeks at home recovering before returning for another fortnight.
“This went on for nine months until he achieved remission. But it was toxic to his body, in terms of fatigue, pain, mucositis, and no appetite.”
Elyse experienced firsthand the toll this treatment took on her father’s body and mental health, as a once-active individual was brought down by its toxic effects.
“That’s why improving cancer treatment is such an important focus to me and specifically decreasing the toxicity of chemotherapy,” Elyse says.
Her research focuses on identifying targeted therapies for children with leukaemia.
Through rigorous clinical trials and an understanding of the fundamental disease biology, Elyse aims to develop treatments with fewer side effects, ultimately enhancing patients’ quality of life during treatment and reducing the risk of relapse.
Elyse’s vision is clear—to ensure that every individual with leukaemia has access to personalised therapies with reduced toxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy. Her dedication to this cause is unwavering, driven by a desire to improve patients’ experiences and redefine the landscape of leukaemia treatment.
As a world-leading institute, SAHMRI fosters diversity and collaboration, allowing researchers like Elyse to push the boundaries of medical knowledge and deliver tangible results.
In her role as an ambassador for the SAHMRI Bright Walk, Elyse Page embodies the spirit of hope and continues to make significant strides in improving the lives of those affected by cancer.
By participating in the Bright Walk, your fundraising can help researchers like Elyse make a difference. Sign up below.
SAHMRI’s BRIGHT Walk
When: Saturday 22 July 22 2023
Register today: Click here
More info on SAHMRI: Click here
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