$1.5m raised for women’s cancer

The New Town Toyota Walk for Women’s Cancer 2023 has raised more than $1.5 million to fund cancer research at Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

More than 1,100 people participated in the event on April 29, many walking a 42-kilometre route from the University of Western Australia around the Swan River.

The Walk for Women's Cancer was established 10 years ago and has raised more than $12 million for Harry Perkins Institute.

Harry Perkins Institute director Peter Leedman said community support was crucial to enable the research and production of better cancer treatments and potential cures.

“This year, walkers are directly funding research to find a targeted treatment for triple negative breast cancer from honeybee venom,” he said.

“Triple negative breast cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, yet one of our researchers discovered a component in honeybee venom that kills cancer cells in all types of breast cancer.”

Mr Leedman said the research would require substantial funding for a treatment to be developed.

In 2020, Harry Perkins Institute associate professor Pilar Blancafort and former PhD student Ciara Duffy discovered the potential use of honeybee venom to kill breast cancer cells.

Bees became symbolic for this research and a symbol for this year's Walk for Women’s Cancer.

Mr Leedman said another Harry Perkins research team was analysing the genetics of women becoming resistant to breast cancer treatment.

“All of this research is greatly helped by the effort our community makes in supporting the annual New Town Toyota Walk for Women’s Cancer,” he said.