1981 days ago

Dr Swee Tan - The Gillies McIndoe Institute

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

This week we had the pleasure of hearing Dr Swee Tan as our guest speaker.

The meeting was well-attended with many partners and guests keen to hear Dr Tan’s fascinating story.

Our club has supported Dr Tan’s work in the past and members have visited his Research Institute, the Gilies McIndoe.

The Gillies McIndoe Institute is now well staffed and established in its new premises in Newtown.

Dr Tan’s original calling was in Plastic Surgery and he became interested in strawberry birthmarks, which gave an insight into cancer and other disfiguring conditions.

Its research outputs are impressive with seven patents, and numerous journal papers, book chapters, and conference addresses.

As we know, cancer is a major health issue and it is getting worse because the population is aging. Treatments are often nasty and may be very expensive.

Currently, there is a focus at the Institute on cancer stem cells, which are the most malignant cells appearing in a cancer. It may be possible to treat these using common and off-patent medications.

This has also led to the Institute’s interest in repurposing existing medication for other conditions too, and may yet provide an answer to Covid-19.

As always, research funding is scarce and may be more difficult to obtain if the work is based around a new paradigm.

This was a most interesting address, although at times rather technical, and the audience was deeply absorbed in what Dr Tan had to say.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?

Image
2 days ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

Image
Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 60.3% Yes, supporting people is important!
    60.3% Complete
  • 24.3% No, individuals should take responsibility
    24.3% Complete
  • 15.4% ... It is complicated
    15.4% Complete
494 votes
26 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.

Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.

We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?

Image
As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.7% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.7% Complete
  • 43.1% I want to be able to choose.
    43.1% Complete
  • 47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.2% Complete
2612 votes