Concord Hospital Haematology Clinical Research Unit holds 6^th Bloody Great Night Out! to support their life-changing research.
 

Keryne Rosato is a blood cancer survivor.  

She was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma in 2005 and started her initial rounds of cancer treatment in 2011 but after a few years without progress she had run out of available treatment options. 

In 2017 she was referred to Professor Judith Trotman, Concord Hospital Senior Staff Specialist, for a new clinical trial at the Concord Hospital Haematology Clinical Research Unit that would change her recovery journey. 

“It literally saved my life,” she said. 

“Within a few days I was off the lounge, I was talking, within a week I was back to normal. It was a miracle.” 

Since opening in 2005, the Unit has become one of the largest Haematology Clinical Research Units in NSW, recruiting more than 1000 patients to more than 180 trials with a focus on blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. 

Patients like Keryne have had positive outcomes thanks to the dedication of medical specialists, nurses, researchers, pharmacists and administration professionals who make up the team. 

Keryne’s story was shared at the Unit’s major event, A Bloody Great Night Out!, held at Doltone House to raise funds to support their ongoing work. 
 

Attended by 550 patients, their families, carers and friends, staff, supporters, and community members, $250,000 was raised through fundraising activities and donations. The team also sends a huge thanks to all their Concord Hospital colleagues who purchased raffle tickets at the hospital Atrium in the months leading to the event. 

Dr Nicole Wong Doo, Unit Director, said the funds raised were critical to providing the best treatment opportunities available for patients, who are considered partners in research. 

“For many patients, participating in a clinical trial is their only hope for a cure and a better quality of life,” she said. 

“Being able to fund more clinical trial nurses and a medical fellow will allow our patients to access millions of dollars’ worth of innovative medicines, long before they are publicly funded.” 

The extraordinary night of generosity was made possible by local event sponsors including the Canada Bay Club, Warwick Williams Real Estate, Trevor Lee and Sons, and Forvis Mazars Group.  

“We sincerely thank all the local community, businesses and patients and their families and all the medical staff that came along and generously supported our fundraising efforts,” Professor Trotman said. 

The Haematology Clinical Research Unit at the Concord Cancer Centre at Concord Hospital provides world class treatment and care for people living in the local community and across the state. Patients can access the unit for treatment through referral from their medical specialist.  

Photos and video from the event can be viewed on the Bloody Great Cause website.