Classes help cancer research

Two Year 7 classes from Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina campus are seeking sponsorship to help to fund cures for gastrointestinal cancer.

They will be part of the Gutsy Challenge, from November 12 to 16, and eat two pieces of fruit and four vegetables every day for one week.

To supplement the students' own efforts at home, the two classes will be having a practical lesson in healthy cooking and making a healthy lunch for them to share on Tuesday, November 13, during class time.

Brisbane Water Secondary College teacher Ms Sue Nolan said that by taking the challenge students would hopefully learn how easy it was to eat healthily every day.

"The challenge will also develop greater awareness of gastrointestinal cancer and how healthy eating can help prevent some of these cancers.

"Overall, students should enjoy the challenge and raise awareness and funds for this cause," said Ms Nolan.

As the only national healthy eating program for school students, the Gutsy Challenge encouraged students to improve their eating habits, according to campaign manager Ms Jacinta Walpole.

The Gutsy Challenge is run by the Gastrointestinal Cancer Institute, a charity that aims to save, extend, and provide a better quality of life for people with GI cancers by funding clinical trials research.

"By conducting research in Australia, cancer patients can access new treatment methods three to five years earlier than if the research was conducted overseas, so it is vital that we raise money to fund it," Ms Walpole said.

Media release, 8 Nov 2012

Nadine Cattell, Gastrointestinal Cancer Instiute