Hi everyone,

For those of you who know me you are very aware of why i am doing the gutsy overland challenge and raising money for the Australasian Gastro Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG).

For others don't, here is our story.   In November 2011 my husband Tony booked in to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy following a short bout of reflux.  We were thinking he may have had an ulcer however the tests revealed an 11 cm tumour extending from his stomach into his eosophagus. We were shocked and devastated especially when we were given the dismal survival statistics for this type of cancer.  We were committed to fight this dreadful diagnosis.

We joined a clinical trial called the TOPGEAR trial which looked at giving chemotherapy and radiotherapy prior to surgery to remove the cancer.  Unfortunately despite the treatment the cancer continued to spread and after a 14 month battle we had to say goodbye to our beautiful man. On january 20th, 2013 Tony passed away.

Tony will always be remembered as a beautiful father, husband, friend and family member. Our kids Charli (11), Tate (9) and I, miss him every day. As part of this journey I have become a consumer advisor with the AGITG. Through my involvement with this group I am more aware of the importance of clinical trials for the advancement of cancer research and discovery of new treatment options for all GI cancers.

If I can contribute something, which can benefit future research or other families going through what we did, I will feel like something positive has come out of our experience.

As such, I am taking part in this Gutsy 'Overland' Challenge – where I will be walking over 60km in the Tassie outback to raise money for cancer research in the hope that one day better treatments will be available for people like Tony.

Gastro-Intestinal (GI) cancer is the most common cancer in our country and 33 Australians die because of it each day. GI cancer affects the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and bowel. The 5-year survival rate for all GI cancers is currently only 49% ... and when you look at specific areas it is far less – for example it is only 7.7% for pancreatic cancer.

It is very likely that you know and love someone who has suffered because of these cancers.  I know that each day someone different puts their hand out for your hard-earned money. But, if we all do something little then together we can make a big difference.

Your donation will support the GI Cancer Institute’s Innovation Fund – enabling new research to be undertaken here in Australia. Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to the GI Cancer Institute.

Thank you so much for supporting this cause.

Gill, Charli and Tate