1523 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.

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More messages from your neighbours
3 hours ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.6% Yes
    84.6% Complete
  • 13.9% No
    13.9% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
736 votes
11 hours ago

Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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