SpinalCure’s life-changing spinal cord injury (SCI) research projects will be in the spotlight at the highly anticipated Sydney Everest Carnival Long Lunch on Friday 6 September at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Led by the Australian Turf Club and the ATC Foundation and aptly held during Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week (2 – 8 September), the flagship fundraising event will offer an extraordinary day of style, racing, and philanthropy in support of SpinalCure.
This year’s event is set to be the biggest ever, with SpinalCure Ambassador and iconic Australia media identity Kerri-Anne Kennerley joining forces with Channel 7 Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington to lead the event as MCs, along with a special performance by ARIA nominee Ricki-Lee Coulter.
Each year, horse racing experiences approximately 500 falls, resulting in over 200 jockeys sustaining injuries. Angela-Belle McSweeney, SpinalCure Ambassador and Board Member of the Australian Turf Club and the visionary behind the Sydney Everest Carnival Long Lunch, underscores how critical SCI research is for the horse racing community.
“Horse racing, recognised as one of the most dangerous sports worldwide, has shown me firsthand the importance of supporting SpinalCure. I’m honoured to unite with this remarkable organisation in our shared mission to advance treatments for spinal cord injuries,” she said.
Demonstrating the impact of our work, a key part of the event program will include panel interviews with Australian Jockeys Association Chairman Craig Staples and Project Spark trial participant Sheree Palmer, who will relay her experience of being involved in our eWALK trial. Sheree, who is a paraplegic after suffering s spinal embolism, was brought renewed hope from her involvement in eWALK as it marked the first time she had experienced the sensation of walking in 14 years.
More than 20,000 Australians live with an SCI and it has an estimated lifetime cost of $75.4 billion. Up until recently there was an entrenched dogma that once broken, a spinal cord could not be fixed. According to SpinalCure CEO Kathryn Borkovic, breakthrough SCI research like the trials that make up Project Spark aim to reverse this and deliver a potential treatment option that will help SpinalCure work towards the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
“SCI most commonly happens in car accidents, everyday falls and in sports. Meaning it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, at any age and it happens in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, no approved treatment exists globally. SpinalCure’s work is important for all our futures.”
Ms Borkovic thanked the ATC for their support and said that the funds raised from the event will go a long way in helping SpinalCure continue its quest for a cure.
“Through our partnerships, we’ve built a national and international clinical trials network for Project Spark, treating over 60 people and aiming to expand to 300 in the next 2-3 years. The ATC’s support is crucial for completing the eWALK trial and advancing our 5-10 year research strategy, boosting global investment and offering hope for those with spinal cord injuries,” finished Borkovic.
Events details
What: The Sydney Everest Carnival Long Lunch
Where: The Winx Stand, Royal Randwick Racecourse: Alison Rd, Randwick
When: Friday 6 September from 12pm
Tickets available here: Special discounted pricing is available to everyone in our SpinalCure community using this link: https://bit.ly/3WzvP6v