Dr Luciano Dalla Pozzo
   - Head of Oncology Unit, The Children's Hospital Westmead
   - Kayaking for Kemo Kids Committee Member.

“I first met Bob late one evening in September 1996 in the Accident and Emergency Department of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead; I was the on call Oncology Doctor.  Bob had just been informed that his soon to be 5 year old daughter, Rebecca had been diagnosed with cancer.  Over 700 Australian children and their families are forced to deal with this particular day each year.

From that day Bob, Rebecca and his family refused to take a step back, resulting in Kayaking for Kemo Kids achieving extraordinary success in gathering support for our children’s cancer unit since that day in 1996.  The Tumour Bank was conceived because of Bob and his teams support and is now firmly entrenched on a permanent basis in our Unit, a Unit which is recognised nationally and internationally for being at the forefront of cancer research and support.

The time Bob and his team have given selflessly to out Unit can never be repaid.  Bob has a wonderful set of colleagues and friends and their affection and admiration for the cause is plain enough to see.  Bob has a magnificent ability to infuse all that come into contact with Kayaking for Kemo Kids with a sense of what children with cancer and their families’ experience – Bob is a superb ambassador.

On a personal note as Rebecca’s Physician I am certain her health in part compensates for the inevitable hardships and difficulties that your family faced.  I was delighted to see Bob named in the Australia Day Honours List 2003.  He has done so much to help children with cancer that this type of public recognition at a national level is most appropriate.  I encourage and commend those that assist Bob in his ongoing fundraising efforts.”

Benita Collings
   - Patron - Kayaking for Kemo Kids
   - Kayaking for Kemo Kids Committee Member.

“I have known Bob Glenister since 1997 when he invited me to become the Patron for Kayaking for Kemo Kids.  As one of the long standing presenters for ABV TV’s Play School I am continually approached to support many good causes.  Upon meeting and discussing the offer with Bob and his daughter Rebecca, I could only accept the offer and assist Bob and his team help raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research and support.

In the time I have know Bob I’ve found him to be extremely committed to everything he does, whether in his work life, raising money or simply being a friend.  Yes, I’m the Patron of Kayaking for Kemo Kids, however, Bob treats me as a friend, not as someone who is there to simply support the cause.

The challenges that face the main event are gruelling, but yield great rewards for all those touched by the fundraising campaigns.  I am delighted to continue to support Bob and his very dedicated team of volunteers and encourage all to assist in this wonderful cause.”

Professor Peter Gunning (PhD)
   - Head of Oncology Research Unit, The Children’s Hospital Westmead
   - Chair of the Division of Research (CHW)
   - National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
      Principal Research Fellow
   - Recently 5 years on Board of the NSW Cancer Council
      and chaired their Research Committee.

“Several years ago Bob approached us with a proposal to raise research funds for our Unit by Kayaking from Sydney to Brisbane.  His proposal was particularly timely because we were looking for a way to fund the establishment of a children’s tumour bank.

We had realised that in order to drive our research into improved diagnostics we required access to a range of tumour samples with impeccable medical records.  It was a surprise to us to find that no such collection existed in Australia, nor was access available to tumour banks in other countries via the Internet.

Bob and his supporters inspired us to create Australia’s first children’s tumour bank and place it on the World Wide Web so that researchers all over the world could access our samples to assist in their own research.  Our tumour bank has been recognised as a “blue print” worldwide on how to ethically and professionally set up such research units – something we are all so proud of.

Bob and his supporters have raised nearly $400,000 for us to date.  These funds have enabled us to fulfil our vision of creating an Australian children’s tumour bank – a first for Australia, and also a first in the world on the World Wide Web.  The significance of this achievement has been recognised by the State Government, which is providing ongoing funds to maintain the Tumour Bank.

We can now focus our efforts on using the Tumour Bank to advance our knowledge and understanding of childhood cancer.  With Bob Glenister and his teams support we are now aiming to establish new research initiatives which build on our invaluable Tumour Bank resource, and allow us to be fundamental in supporting research networks across Australia and the world.

We therefore encourage all sectors of the community to give strong support to Bob Glenister and Kayaking for Kemo Kids, to help us realise the dream of better treatment for children with cancer through better diagnosis – throughout Australia.”

Dr Daniel Catchpoole
   - Head of Tumour Bank, The Children’s Hospital Westmead.

Dr Catchpoole was appointed Head of the Tumour Bank at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in 2001 and is one of the founding members of the Australian Biospecimens Network.

"I have known Bob since my appointment as Head of the Tumour Bank in 2000.  The history and story behind Kayaking for Kemo Kids is truly inspirational.

Kayaking for Kemo Kids was founded by Bob Glenister, following his daughter’s diagnosis of leukaemia; Bob set out to raise funds needed to establish the Tumour Bank.  Whist this invaluable resource helps us study cancer and is having an instrumental effect both nationally and internationally, it represents something much more personal.  Ultimately the Tumour Bank is here because of one man’s love for his daughter.

As a father of young children and medical researcher I am proud to be associated with Bob and his team.  Thanks to Bob and his team, we are now in a strong position to assist medical researchers across Australia and internationally – resulting in an encouraging improved outlook for our children with cancer through scientific and clinical research and support.

I have witnessed first hand the wonderful supporters of the cause and encourage all to help where they possible can no matter how large or small.”