LATEST NEWS: 9 December 2025

As we wrap up our inaugural Km’s for Cancer Research challenge, we want to thank the incredible community who helped make it such a meaningful event and a great success.

Throughout October 2025, 90 individual participants and nine passionate teams laced up their shoes, jumped on bikes, hit the pool, and got active in all kinds of ways to raise awareness and vital funds for research into better cancer outcomes.

TROG Members, Board and staff, families and supporters from the wider community all joined in — proving that when it comes to making a difference, every kilometre truly counts.

Participants jogged, walked, pushed prams, hiked, ran, cycled, swam, and powered through training sessions, logging every step of their journey. Together, they achieved some inspiring results:

• 6,761 km covered –an average of more than 75 km per person.
• $9,930 raised to support innovative cancer research that will improve treatments and outcomes.

One of the most heart-warming stories came from 87-year-old cancer survivor and proud grandfather Mitch Cook (pictured left), who committed to walking 10,000 steps every single day on his rural property. From our youngest participant at just nine years old to inspiring seniors like Mitch, the challenge truly spanned generations.

One participant Melissa Martel, a radiation therapist and a member of the team Te Pūriri o Te Ora based in New Zealand, shared images of her cycle around Auckland before work, making the most of a glorious sunrise (pictured below).

The challenge also inspired TROG Central Operations Office staff to join together for a lunchtime walk to clock up a few extra kilometres, while the Beam Team from Christchurch Radiation Oncology (main image top) covered an impressive total of more than 500 km.

TROG CEO Susan Goode thanked everyone who took part and those who donated to the cause, saying the overwhelming support had secured the challenge as an annual event.

“It is truly heartening to see so many people getting active to support TROG’s Cancer Research work,” Susan said. “We know that one in two Australians will experience cancer before the age of 85 years, and the support of our community enables us to run clinical trials that improve treatment options and contribute to cancer cures.”

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the participants and supporters of the 2025 Km’s for Cancer Research challenge. We hope you’ll join us again for an even bigger challenge in 2026.”

• Do you want to support our research. You can make a one-off or regular donation to TROG Cancer Research here.
• View the gallery of images from Km’s for Cancer Research challenge 2025 below.