The Box Rallies community (Shitbox Rally, Mystery Box Rally and Lunchbox Rally) proudly celebrates a remarkable achievement: raising over $50 million for cancer research, with 100 per cent of funds going to Cancer Council.
Box Rallies ongoing partnership with Cancer Council, one of the largest non-government funders of cancer research in Australia, plays a crucial role in making a difference for people affected by cancer.
When founder James Freeman launched the rally in 2009, he wanted to build a community focused on accelerating progress in cancer research across Australia, after losing both his mother and father to cancer in 12 months. With 37 rallies completed to date, it has clearly been a winning formula of hard work, fun and fundraising with participants testing themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Mr Freeman said, ‘I am extremely proud of the participants from all our rallies to reach this milestone. $50 million raised in 15 years is extraordinary, knowing the first year we raised $104,000 and now we are raising $9 million annually. This really shows the growth and support Box Rallies, and the teams have been given by the wider community.
‘The funds are having a direct impact on living with and fighting cancer and our partnership with Cancer Council has made it possible to fund so many outstanding national researchers.’
What’s in the box?
Shitbox Rally, which started out as one rally, has now been built into multiple rallies now including Mystery Box Rally and Lunchbox Rally.
The rallies are not a race, rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable – to drive a car worth just $1,500 or one that’s older than 25 years across Australia via some of its most formidable roads.
Lunchbox Rally, the most colourful addition to date is an opportunity for kids to get involved, also in cars worth less than $1,500. Since partnering with Cancer Council, Box Rallies has funded 63 research projects across many cancer types and at leading institutions around Australia.
Sarah Hosking, CEO, Cancer Council NSW said, ‘Whilst our cancer outcomes continue to be amongst the best in the world, by working together we can all play a part in tackling cancer for all Australians.
‘The impact of Box Rallies on cancer research cannot be overstated; their commitment and passion drive our shared mission to fund the best research in Australia,’ said Ms Hosking.
‘Funding the next cancer research breakthrough takes all of us and together, in partnership, Box Rallies and Cancer Council are making strides towards a future where no one has to face cancer alone.
Groundbreaking research
‘By funding groundbreaking research in partnership with Cancer Council, Box Rallies is making a profound impact on the cancer research landscape across Australia,’ said Associate Professor Andreas Behren, Director Research Strategy and Operations at Cancer Council NSW.
‘Their support for innovative projects drives advancements in treatment and early detection that not only enhance patient outcomes but also lays the foundations for future discoveries. Box Rallies commitment to ongoing advocacy and support for research and researchers empowers researchers and transforms lives.’
Funded research includes projects led by:
- Dr. Lorraine O’Reilly (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) – Pioneering early detection for stomach cancer.
- Assoc Prof Marina Pajic (The Garvan Institute of Medical Research) – Targeting treatment resistance in pancreatic cancer.
- Assoc Prof Luke Selth (Flinders University) – Making prostate cancer more responsive to immunotherapy.
Over the next 25 years, it’s been predicted that in NSW alone, 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer. And with a 71 per cent survival rate, this poses a new and growing challenge, to support people in our community who need ongoing care.
Together, Box Rallies and Cancer Council will continue to fund and harness new research that will ensure that people can live well, beyond a cancer diagnosis. The recent launch of the Box Rallies website promotes this research and empowers the community by sharing stories about the research and the researchers themselves.
Over the coming year there will be plenty of inspiring content and a huge amount of information on the research which the rallies have funded.
If you need to talk about cancer, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 or visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support.
