ReedPop, the team behind PAX Australia, have reached their fundraising target of $100,000 for Cure Cancer through a variety of fundraising initiatives that have spanned across their portfolio of events, including their most recent virtual event, PAX Online.

The money that has been raised will be used to fund South Australian researcher Melissa Cantley’s 2-year Cure Cancer grant, the second year of which has been generously funded by ReedPop Australia in memory of Julian Lai, a previous employee of ReedPop. Melissa’s blood cancer research is looking at biomarkers in patients with pre-cancerous conditions to identify those at high risk of developing further disease.

A number of initiatives took place to raise the monies including a 120-hour continuous live stream hosted by GenerOzity, which took place during PAX Online. The live stream had a jam-packed creative schedule featuring cosplay, squat challenges, live cooking and even some magic. The PAX Australia team also live streamed Jack Box games, playing with fans and their communities, to raise money and awareness, and a trivia night was hosted at Reed HQ.

Cancer is the biggest killer on a global scale. In Australia alone, it will have claimed the lives of 820 people by the end of this week. Proving that not all superheros wear capes, cancer researchers around the country are working tirelessly in laboratories, persevering through long hours, modest pay and an uncertain future. However, the ability to make breakthroughs comes down to funding, a reality that less than 1 in 5 projects receive.

Cure Cancer’s CEO, Nikki Kinloch comments,

“We are incredibly grateful to the ReedPop team and to all the generous people who donated over the last year. Cure Cancer is dedicated entirely to funding early career researchers and this donation will allow another early-career cancer researcher to take the next step in their research career and to continue the fight against cancer.”

Jono Whyman, Event Director of PAX Aus said,

“We started our partnership with Cure Cancer last year, after a close friend and colleague lost his battle with cancer. We are humbled that we have been able to raise this money for Cure Cancer and cancer research, and are very grateful to everyone that has donated from across our communities. We look forward to watching with interest the career of the new researcher that this donation from our community will go towards supporting.”