It is with heartfelt sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend and Board Member, Paul Hargreaves, on August 14th. Paul was the inaugural Chairman of GICI and was instrumental in building the foundations of the organisation. For the last five years, he enthusiastically championed the cause and shared his own remarkable story to illustrate the importance of raising awareness and funding for gastro-intestinal cancer clinical research.

Following his triumph over pancreatic cancer, Paul became an inspiration to countless people affected by gastro-intestinal cancers. He openly and generously shared advice and encouragement to anyone who reached out to him in need of guidance. He was passionate about helping to fill the gap of credible information for cancer patients, something he and his family experienced following his diagnosis.

Paul had a brilliant perspective on life and faced hurdles with profound courage and optimism. He touched and motivated those of us involved with GICI; we admired him and are incredibly grateful for his contributions to our work. He will be sorely missed.

We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

In keeping with their spirit of generosity, the Hargreaves have requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to GICI. Unless specifically requested, we will notify his family that donations have been made in his memory.

Our Ask the Experts event is coming up fast! This year’s event will feature:

Professor Michael Findlay, Chair and Head of the Discipline of Oncology at the University of Auckland
Mr Arend Merrie,  Head of the Colorectal Unit at Auckland Hospital
Mr Grant Beban, Upper GI & Bariatric surgeon at Auckland Hospital
Dr Clare Wall, Director of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Auckland
Paul Hargreaves, pancreatic cancer survivor
Jan Robinson, bowel cancer survivor

These experts will discuss GI cancer from the specialist, nutritionist, and patient perspective. And most importantly, they will open the floor to questions from the audience. The event will be an informative and inspiring forum which will allow you to directly discuss cancer questions with people who truly understand and can provide the facts.

Ask the Experts will take place on 5 August, from 7pm-8:30/9 at the King’s School in Remuera. For more information, and to register for your free ticket, see the event website here.

There’s only two more weeks until the Ask the Experts Event!

This free event was created for anyone who wants to learn about GI cancer; whether you are living with cancer, have a loved one who is, or would like to find out about lowering your risk of developing cancer.

The Ask the Experts event offers guests a chance to ask questions of a panel of both doctors and patients, and listen as they discuss cancer from both perspectives. Professor Michael Findlay, Mr Grant Beban, and Mr Arend Merrie will describe GI cancer symptoms, treatment, and the hope brought by medical research.  Dr Clare Wall will review nutrition and lifestyle recommendations for lowering the risk of developing cancer. And GI cancer survivors will share their stories of hope.

The event  takes place on 5 August from 7-8:30pm at King’s School, 258 Remuera Road in Auckland.

We hope to see you there and hear your questions. For more information on the event, and to register for a free ticket see the Ask the Experts website.