A message from the CEO, Margaret McJannett As we welcome in the new year, we reflect on some of the challenges and achievements we faced over the past 12 months in order to meet ANZUP’s mission: to improve the lives of people affected by Below the Belt (bladder, kidney, testicular, penile and prostate) cancers through practice-changing clinical trials.
Last year we undertook a review of ANZUP’s Strategic Plan for the next three years. Following a series of interviews and focus groups with our members, we identified five Strategic Goals:
Despite the impact of COVID, ANZUP continued to build on and develop high quality cutting edge clinical trials. Our current trial portfolio continued to expand and now includes nine ANZUP-led open and recruiting trials, seven trials in development and three trials due to open very soon. We are very grateful to all our researchers, trial staff and the many thousands of patients who support and participate in our ANZUP trials. You can find more information about our trials on our website.
• M aintain a portfolio of trials relevant to and accessible by all people with urogenital cancers in Australia and New Zealand
9
ANZUP-led open & recruiting trials
7
Trials in development
3
Trials due to open early 2022
In December we were delighted to learn that we were successful with our Cancer Australia infrastructure grant application for the next 2 1/2 years. Whilst we value this financial and in-kind support from the Federal Government through Cancer Australia, independent funding is required for every clinical trial we undertake. It is therefore critical for ANZUP to continue to build greater financial independence and self-sufficiency through our fundraising activities. You can read more about this funding on page 17.
• C onduct high-quality, multidisciplinary, practicechanging clinical trials in urogenital cancers
• S trengthen ANZUP’s capacity for practice-changing clinical trials • F orward plan to maintain a vibrant and active urogenital cancer trials community • Provide leadership in collaborative cancer clinical trials An implementation plan with deliverables underpins these Goals. In terms of fundraising: Our ANZUP Below the Belt #YourWay campaign again featured in 2021, due to the postponement of our Pedalthon events in Sydney and Melbourne. It was a great way for the community to get moving their way and run, walk, swim, ride as many kilometres or hours as they could. This was a great initiative to keep our community united and raised over $75,000 for ANZUP’s Below the Belt Research Fund which directly supports our members to develop research projects with the potential to lead to future ANZUP trials. You can join us, get involved, and help raise funds when #YourWay returns from 1-31 May 2022. www.belowthebelt.org.au
A LITTLE BELOW THE BELT 7
