The new Fight with Five business-focused fundraising campaign for Children’s Medical Research Institute is growing in strength and new members of this special group were welcome at a special event held recently at Oatlands House in Sydney.

It’s a simple and effective concept: commit $5000 to the research being done in the labs at CMRI and receive special benefits like access to meet scientists, hear about their new research first, and continue to learn more about the innovative work being done.

Distinguished guests included the Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Donna Davis, and the former Lord Mayor, Bob Dwyer.

Guests enjoyed speeches from CMRI’s Director, Professor Roger Reddel, as well as from the Head of CMRI’s Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Associate Professor Leszek Lisowski, and from Jacqueline Lonsdale, mother of Emilia, who is a Jeans for Genes Ambassador this year.

Ms Lonsdale detailed what it was like for Emilia living with cystic fibrosis and why investment in research is so vital.

“The work the scientists are carrying out make us hopeful,’’ she said. “Hopeful for Emilia and hopeful for children like her living with genetic diseases that there will be a future for them. We thank you for your time and listening to our story. Your contributions and advocacy are so important in supporting this incredible cause.’’

If you’re a business owner, we invite you to join CMRI’s Fight with Five. Contact Joanne Hood on 0403 821 662 or [email protected] for more details on how your business can join the fight.