Odile's Good Fight Against Rare Cancers
Update
29 Jan 2023
Dear Everyone,
Happy New Year to each and every one of you. May 2023 be your best year ever!
I felt it was time to give you a little update on how the fundraising efforts for the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have progressed since we last spoke.
My beautiful daughter, Dominique recently held an event that so many people supported.
I am very proud to share with you that Dominique raised $25,000 towards research into rare cancer. An incredible accomplishment! Sincere thanks to so many of you that embraced Dominique's efforts.
We have reached $84,000. Those who know me will know that when I set a goal, I keep going until it is reached.
The research project that Professor David Goldstein and Professor Clare Scott, AM are undertaking needs $100,000 so I am still working towards that goal.
This project will help many people for many generations to come! Rare cancer now affects one in four cancer patients. Cancer is nondiscriminatory and before my diagnosis, I can honestly say I seldom even got the flu!
I am forever grateful for your kind support.
Love
Odile and the Faludi Family
Update
08 Jan 2023
Dear everyone,
Happy New Year! Wishing you and your families a wonderful 2023.
A recent email was received from Clare Scott, AM.
This is where your donation has gone and the incredible good each and every one of you has done! If you have any capacity to give more I am asking you to back this project for many generations to come!
Dear Odile,
As regards your tremendous fund-raising efforts, we have received $43,937 so far and know there is more to come:
Summary:
Total number of gifts = 321
Total Donation Amount $45,861.00
My Cause 3rd party fees $1,923.68
L-Clare Scott - PRJ_10457 - Rare Cancers $43,937.32
In keeping with what we agreed, we have been advertising for and interviewing for an additional Fellow to increase our capability. We will allocate $30,000 towards the salary of one of our Fellows so that they can focus on finding very rare SCC for example of the rectum and other sites which very rarely have an SCC develop. This way we can look for what sequencing changes are observed and what new treatments might be worthwhile.
By starting this project we will use $13,000 towards sequencing of rare SCC; we can then put additional funds towards additional sequencing costs: if we get fresh samples we will grow new models to work on in the lab, to test our predictions for new treatments. We can support your funds with other rare cancer funding which we have.
Starting a project in the way you are doing makes it possible to leverage other funds to support what would otherwise not be possible, with the initial funding alone. We have found this to be a successful approach.
I hope this sounds ok to you - and I have ccd Prof David Goldstein here, should you wish to talk with him about the ARC Portal Fellow,
I hope your new treatment goes well,
With my warmest regards,
Clare
Clare L Scott
MBBS PhD FRACP FAHMS
Professor of Gynaecological Cancer, University of Melbourne,
Joint Head, Clinical Translation Centre and Laboratory Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospitals,
1G Royal Parade
Parkville Victoria 3052
Australia
(tel) +61 3 9345 2498
(fax) +61 3 9347 0852
(mob) +61 438 007 191
(email) scottc@wehi.edu.au
Update
18 Dec 2022
All we need is LOVE!
When a crisis occurs we draw on the love of others!
Thank you to so many people who have donated to the Walter and Eliza Hall Medical Research Fund into Rare Cancers. We have raised over $57,000!
We are still short of our $100,000 goal and the fund is closing soon. Can you please help? Christmas is a time of giving. Click here to give
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/288521/odiles-good-fight-against-rare-cancers
Drop a tax-deductible donation and know you are helping many people. Life is full of surprises and that person in need may be someone you love.
Wishing you all a very safe and happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2023.
Thank you,
Love Odile
Update
11 Oct 2022
Dear Special People,
When life interrupts us it's how we respond rather than react that counts!
"We all have two lives. The second one begins the day you realize you only have one." - Confucius (Chinese philosopher)
I recently presented at a BBG forum on how to navigate through a life-threatening crisis. Below is the summary of my presentation.
From the onset, I want to say when life interrupts you it’s not one size fits all. I understand some people are doing it really tough. I respect that each person is an individual and their way of dealing with something so big can be different.
I realise that being a sales coach by profession and working to unlock people’s potential to become better in pushing through sales has really served me well.
Selling requires resilience, determination, and a huge amount of self-belief. Three key elements in surviving a tough health issue.
People have constantly been asking me what have I been doing to remain so strong and positive. Stage IV rectal cancer is quite a lot to deal with.
I recently analyzed my behaviour throughout this year and the result is set out below. I was in fact following a process a pattern of behaviour and it stems from mindset. No surprises there!
Step 1: Please Be careful of your emotions and actions at this very delicate time in your life!
"The boat doesn't sink because it is surrounded by water, it sinks because the boat allowed the water to enter." Warren Buffett
This quote I believe has been fundamental to my health and well-being. I have remained quite businesslike with my approach to dealing with this.
If you allow those emotions of fear, uncertainty, doom, and gloom to enter your body you will sink just like the boat! Keep the water out.
From the second you are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness your life is turned upside down.
Your life is suddenly endless specialist appointments, blood tests, scans, treatments, and then repeat.
I am now entering my 10th month of treatment. The Prince of Wales Hospital is my office. I do income-producing work whilst having chemo. You got to love technology sometimes just not all the time (thanks to Optus!!).
I have not allowed my emotions to enter my ship. Focus on what IS rather than what IF.
Step 2: Surround yourself with your support team – as the saying goes, "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with, and there is nothing you can do about it."
Be around loving, positive and uplifting people and most importantly the best medical team you can.
Friends and family are not doctors and specialists in oncology or whatever you may be suffering.
You may be confronted with an avalanche of messages and phone calls from well-meaning family and friends.
Just because they know someone who went through this doesn’t mean they are doctors.
ONE VOICE otherwise it gets very confusing and Loud! If you are not happy with your medical team, seek a second opinion, you are not married to them!
Step 3: Decide to make a decision to Live. You get to choose your response to this situation. I repeat the word “CHOOSE”. Back to SINK or SWIM!!
Move away from all negativity, stories of other people, and their prognosis. Every cancer is different, every experience is different and this is your race to stay alive. Avoid all the noise and put your trust in one voice your medical team.
Step 4: Commit to getting better mentally and physically. This is done by creating good habits. It will include exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, or things that make you happy. There are endless things we can do to give us joy. Find your bliss and follow it!
Step 5: Find your Purpose.
To me, Purpose is Ideas, Conversation, Connection and most importantly being part of a community of like-minded people.
The things you speak are the things you have in your life.
This is what PURPOSE gives you a reason to get up each morning.
PURPOSE IS A POWERFUL WORD AND IF YOU PEEL THE LAYERS BACK LIKE AN ONION AND GO TO THE CORE YOU WILL FIND ANOTHER WORD – ITS IMPACT!
WHERE CAN YOU USE YOUR STRENGTHS TO CREATE THE MOST IMPACT!!
IMPACT GIVES YOU EFFECTIVE DIRECTION.
CAN YOU IMAGINE IF YOU CAN USE YOUR TIME EFFECTIVELY YOU WILL CREATE ACTUAL EVIDENCE OF YOUR SUCCESS?
In my case, In the last 12 weeks, I have raised over $54,000 with a goal of $100,000 into the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for research into rare cancers. Rare cancers get little funding however we now know that one out of three cancer patients have rare cancer. Therefore, rare cancers are becoming less rare!
At a time when I could go into paralysis and pull down the shutters, I CHOOSE to go the other way and mobilise my energy and do good. It’s Powerful energy that may save my life and definitely help others.
Step 6: Let it Go. Whatever is holding you back – anger, bitterness, pain, negativity – let it go. We are all on the same time clock and none of us know when the clock will stop.
Holding onto those types of thoughts can hinder your recovery.
In the case of pain, I am a big believer in pain management. Seek the advice of your medical team right from the beginning on how best to deal with your pain.
This is a top priority and something that requires discussion right from the beginning of your treatment.
I had excruciating pain during my 30 radiotherapy sessions. The internal linings of my bowel, vagina, and rectum were all burnt. Most afternoons after radiotherapy I was in the fetal position on the couch in agony!! Once the pain was under control I was like a different person.
Step 7: What is your vision for your life beyond being unwell? Plan your life. Have something to look forward to. Create a vision board.
Having meaning in your life is essential as it helps you contend with your cancer battle. The best way to find a vision for your life is to spend time with yourself. Get to understand what you deeply care about.
Usually, people put things into categories: Family and Friends, Community Service, Financial goals, Health and Fitness, Professional and Career, Things you want to buy, Adventure, and travel. There are probably many more categories to choose from. Compile your categories and goals and present them on a board and stick them in front of you on your desk or a place where you often are.
Visualising your future is the best way to navigate your present.
Step 8: Finally, ANY ILLNESS is a mind game as much as a physical endurance test.
Commit to smiling and being happy. Don’t let the illness take everything away from you. I know it is easier said than done. We all have our bad days. It is okay.
Accept them. I have literally emptied a box of tissues crying in my office with the door closed. Some days are very overwhelming however when we revert back to all the things we have, and focus on having more of those things that we love, we can direct our mind to get away from those black thoughts.
I wish each and every one of you that are currently experiencing illness a long and productive life. I hope that sharing my tips above has been useful.
You can watch the full presentation on Youtube here at this link https://youtu.be/5eLnaHbPIRI
Love and sincere thanks for all your kindness,
Odile
Update
19 Sep 2022
Dear All,
It was a super exciting weekend. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Medical Research fund into rare cancers surpassed $50,000. We are halfway to our target of $100,000. Professor David Goldstein and Professor Clare Scott, AM are anxious to start the project on rare cancers and this gives them the means to do so!!
Please watch my latest Youtube on how to navigate through a life-threatening diagnosis!
https://youtu.be/G5yqI9lebmU
Have a great week,
Love Odile
Update
04 Aug 2022
Dear All,
Today is a milestone day for me – I am 60! Whilst I didn’t expect to be in this predicament of battling Stage IV Rectal Cancer I am grateful for the opportunity to make another birthday. Worts and all. It is not a pretty picture of me having chemotherapy but it’s the plain truth of what many cancer patients have to go through to survive.
I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the medical research fund into rare cancers and what are the plans going forward.
After consultation with Professor David Goldstein he is suggesting the way forward is splitting the project into three parts. It is all dependent upon funds raised and if we hit the magical $100,000 goal.
Stage 1 Research into all rare tumours found throughout the body;
Stage 2 Connect with all oncologists throughout the world to find out what they are doing in other countries to treat rare cancers;
Stage 3 Genetic testing
Each and everyone of YOU have played a part in making this project come to fruition. We cannot thank you enough. There is NO I only WE in this fundraising effort and I am very appreciative of you all.
Love Odile
Update
29 Jul 2022
So as I quickly approach the BIG 60 I wanted to share with you some of the things I have learnt!
Life interrupts us and it is how we respond rather than how we react that counts. Everyone will leave this earth having had some major challenge to deal with in their lifetime. Mine is a very rare cancer and wearing a wig is the least of my problems. My hair will grow back. I have decided to leave my ego at the door and just get on with living my life.
It is important to front load your life. What does that mean? Don’t put off what you can do today for tomorrow. Getting old is a privilege not a given.
I have had a wonderful life. Marrying Peter was one of my best decisions. Choose carefully. This is one thing you can control, what you choose to do and with whom can be life changing!
LOVE is a word that needs no explanation. It moves you like no other word. So if you feel LOVE tell that person often. Count your life by the people that make you smile and be thankful for every moment with them.
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you! We are quickly approaching $25,000 raised towards medical research into rare cancers!
The goal is $100,000 so that a medical researcher can be employed full time to dedicate his time to understanding the behaviour of rare squamous cell carcinoma of various types including gastrointestinal.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Love Odile
Update
22 Jul 2022
On this Friday afternoon I am thinking about two things.
My daughter who is travelling on a cruise through the Artic Circle enjoying viewing incredible wildlife like Polar Bears!
I am also thinking about each and everyone of YOU that gave so generously this week to help medical research. In four days we have raised so far $15,600! AMAZING.
Thank you!
Love Odile
Update
21 Jul 2022
Family means everything to Odile!
DONATIONS596
Anonymous
Fri, 24 Feb 2023
$ 50
$ 50
Anonymous
Wed, 22 Feb 2023
$ 100
$ 100
Peter gonski
Wed, 22 Feb 2023
$ 100
Dear Odile
We would so like you to reach your goal of $100000. What a great attitude to life you have! It’s inspiring xxx
Much love, Michelle & Peter Gonski
Dear Odile
We would so like you to reach your goal of $100000. What a great attitude to life you have! It’s inspiring xxx
Much love, Michelle & Peter Gonski
$ 100
Peter Singer
Wed, 8 Feb 2023
$ 100
What an unbelievable contribution you've made. You make good in this challenge. In deep admiration, Odile xx
What an unbelievable contribution you've made. You make good in this challenge. In deep admiration, Odile xx
$ 100
Anthony Carroll
Wed, 1 Feb 2023
$ 50
Hoping this helps in someone to finding a cure and/or aiding in further research.
Hoping this helps in someone to finding a cure and/or aiding in further research.
$ 50
rita piziali
Wed, 1 Feb 2023
$ 150
In support of Odile Faludi's fundraising efforts. May they find a cure soon
In support of Odile Faludi's fundraising efforts. May they find a cure soon
$ 150
