Will you join me for the next Cherish trek in April 2027?

Posted in cherish; Posted 15 hours ago by Andreas Obermair

I founded the Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation in 2012 to overcome the shortage of funding from research that is required to create less invasive and more effective treatments for gynaecological cancer.

Since its beginnings, Cherish donated $6M to support the following two trials:

ENDO3: A large trial with 760 patients that so far has introduced strict surgical standards how gynaecological oncologists should perform a sentinel
node biopsy for patients with endometrial cancer. The trial will determine if patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer will benefit from a sentinel node biopsy; or if molecular biomarkers in blood and cancer tissue can more accurately predict the prognosis. Results are expected in 2033.

feMMe: This trial has allowed more than 100 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer who were young to keep their uterus for future pregnancy. We discovered blood and tissue biomarkers that predict if those patients will or will not respond to Mirena for endometrial cancer treatment. Results will become available in early 2027.

Cherish is supporting the Australian National Vulvar (ANVU) Cancer Trial

Cherish is now supporting the Australian National Vulvar (ANVU) Cancer Trial, an international study that I have the privilege of leading. Although vulvar cancer is a rare disease, it remains significantly under-researched. Treatment is associated with substantial morbidity, with more than half of patients experiencing a serious complication following surgery. While the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy has reduced the need for
more extensive groin node dissections, the burden of treatment remains unacceptably high.

ANVU aims to change this. The campaign will raise $4 million to launch the trial across Australia and internationally, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Austria, South Korea, Japan, India, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay. By bringing together researchers and patients from around the world, the trial will generate the evidence needed to improve treatment and outcomes for women with vulvar cancer.

To support this important initiative, I will take on a trek through Patagonia, South America, in 2027 to raise funds for the ANVU trial.

This is more than a bucket-list adventure. Every dollar raised helps deliver better care, dignity and futures for women and girls. Turn an extraordinary adventure into something even more meaningful. Join us to hike Patagonia while helping raise funds to advance gynaecological cancer research.

Contact for more information:
ao@surgicalperformance.com or
phone (07) 3128 0800.