Help us raise funds for the RBWH CAR-T Cell Program: Innovative and lifesaving cancer treatment in Australia
Together with the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) Foundation, BDO has committed to raising $100,000 in honour of our wonderful friend and colleague former Client Relations Executive Director, Penny Flynn.
Your support will help us get to our goal, and advance CAR-T Cell Therapy, an innovative and potentially life-saving clinical trial and cancer treatment in Brisbane.
What is CAR-T Cell Therapy?
In short, it’s a game changer.
CAR-T Cell therapy is a new generation of cancer treatment that modifies a patient’s own immune cells (T cells) to treat cancer. T cells are extracted from the patient’s body, genetically reprogrammed to recognise and destroy cancer cells, then infused into the patient’s bloodstream. This process requires the manufacture of a dedicated CAR-T cell product for each patient. T cells are currently genetically modified in the US before being returned to Australia as CAR-T cells.
Your donation will help advance the manufacture of CAR-T cells in Queensland using leading edge technology, bypassing the long and costly process of seeking large volumes of cells from overseas.
Many cancer patients have exhausted all treatment options for a cure. Together with the RBWH Foundation, you can change the future of cancer research and treatment in Brisbane and honour Penny's memory.
The RBWH Cancer Care Service—the largest cancer centre in Queensland—is one of only six adult centres in Australia accredited for CAR-T cell collection and administration, and the only centre in Queensland with this expertise. This amazing world-class technology now provides hope for people like Penny, right here in Queensland.
Your support will advance this innovative RBWH CAR-T Cell Therapy Program to the next stage: funding the manufacture of CAR-T cell treatment 'building blocks' here in Brisbane, using USA/European technology – quickly, cost-effectively, and close to home.
Your tax-deductible donation (which BDO has pledged $50,000 to match) will fund the expansion of the RBWH CAR-T Therapy Program so more patients can access this life-saving technology.
About Penny Flynn
When 61-year-old Penny Flynn went to the doctor about a persistent dry cough in 2018, little did she realise the gruelling journey ahead.
The former BDO Client Relations Executive Director was soon diagnosed with ALL—Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia —a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Although more common and mostly curable in children, the outlook for adults with ALL is far less positive.
After several rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow treatment at RBWH, Penny’s only remaining option was CAR-T Cell Therapy.
Sadly, Penny’s fight ended on Friday 11 December 2020 before CAR-T cell treatment was possible.
Penny’s legacy continues today, with our mission to bring hope to other cancer patients—and provide innovative treatment when no other option is left.
Thank you for your generous and kind support in helping us reach our goal to fund this new generation of cancer treatment in Penny's honour.
For more information about CAR-T Cell Therapy, please watch the video below.
My Achievements
75% of fundraising goal
Raised $100
Raised $500
Thank you to my Sponsors
$25k
Bdo Australia - Brisbane
$25k
B D O
$5.3k
Ann Strong
$5k
Duncan Baillie
$5k
Duncan Baillie
$5k
Susan Rix
$3k
Kasey O'sullivan
$2.12k
Tony Schiffmann
$2k
Tony Schiffmann
$2k
Anonymous
$1.17k
Adele Gay Townsend
$1.06k
Russell Postle
$1.06k
Tim Kendall
$1,000
Anonymous
$1,000
Brendan Balasekeran
$750
Steven Sorbello
$602
Margaret Rix
$530
Margot Baillie
$530
Tony Young
$530
Anonymous
$530
Yvonne Robson
$530
Tim Mann
$530
Reece Edwards
$530
John And Debbie Bryant
$525
Margot Baillie
We hope this research will lead to advances in CART-T Cell Therapy for patients of RBWH
$500
Dana Flynn
$500
Yatra Forudi
$500
Michael Cutri
$500
Mark
$265
Angela Tillmanns
$265
Kim Colyer
$265
Dylan Byrne
$212
Deb Le Garde & Allan Strong
Great project Susan. We look froward to receiving updates and best wishes for reaching your goal. Regards Allan & Deb
$212
Matthew Allington
$210
Helen Newman
$210
Amanda Mcneven
$210
Anna Berryman
$200
Dana Flynn
$200
Cameron And Lisa Macmillan
Thank you Susan Rix and BDO for leading this amazing initiative in honour of Penny's memory.
$200
Carmen Lee
$106
Dylys Bertelsen Oam
$106
Aly Johnson
Well done BDO for partnering with RBWH for such a wonderful cause. Penny would be chuffed!
$106
Shaun Mckinnon
$106
Michelle A Schultz
$106
Maree Griffin
Such a great cause
$106
Sally Preston
$106
Richard Swaby
$106
Phillip Di Bella
An amazing human gone far too early
$106
Louise D’allura
$106
Reece Walker
$106
Pranil Kumar
$106
Michelle Schultz
$106
Tanya Titman
Such a worthy cause - keep up the great work!
$106
Suzy Munt
$100
Wallis Nersesian
$100
Bill Matley
$100
Iain Craig
A worthy cause
$100
Peter O'sullivan
$100
Bianca Cramb
Penny you are an absolute firecracker. I bet you are lighting up heaven. You worked so hard to support others and see them succeed. I know you’d be so proud of the people at BDO for making this happen. Lots of love to you. B x
$100
William Tuffley
$100
Shaun Conroy
Great cause.
$100
Selina Leung
$100
Sharon Houghton
$75
Nadeyn Barbieri
Thank you Rotary Brisbane High-Rise for your support.
$58.30
Ryan Liddell
$58.30
Anonymous
$58.30
Anonymous
$58.30
Elizabeth Wagner
$58.30
David Mcveigh
$58.02
Amanda Baker
$55
William Tuffley
$55
Jayden Coulston
$55
Gianna Di Bella
Keeping Penny's memory alive
$55
Minna Zhu
We will always miss you Penny!
$55
Bdo
$53
Shaye Hageman
$53
Clare Ellul
$53
Steve Fimmano
$53
Karen Ashdown
$52.50
Lisa Spencer
$52.50
Vivien Chan
$50
Carmen Russell
I knew Penny since about 1999, when I first met her daughter at school. She was such an inspiration! I hope that these donations can make a huge difference to those people and families currently battling.
$50
Craig Mitchell
$47.70
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
For Penny, who always saw the potential in people and lifted others up, and for those who need that support and encouragement in the future.
$26.50
Laura Mccabe
$26.50
Niki
$26.50
Anonymous
$26.50
Lucy Shalley
$26.50
Rachel Smith
$26.50
Liz Baxter
$25
Alisha Parackal
$25
Dave
$21
Seph Panopoulos
$20
James Walker
$15.90
Mary
$15
Nadeyn Barbieri
$10.60
