My Activity Tracking
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Why are we Trekking for Pancreatic Cancer
The Wish You Were Here team, a dedicated group of Australians affected by cancer, is embarking on a challenging and symbolic journey in May 2025 to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. Between the 20th and 25th of May, the team will trek 100km across the rugged terrain of Crete, Greece, from Maleme Airport to Hora Sfakion, following the historical route taken by Anzac, English, and Greek troops during their retreat after the Battle of Crete in 1941.
This journey holds deep significance as it mirrors the challenges faced by those battling pancreatic cancer and their carers - Lack of sleep, Fear, Anxiety, Pain.
The key difference is that many of the soldiers had hope for survival at the end of their harrowing experience. For pancreatic cancer patients, however, the outcome is often not as hopeful.
The Wish You Were Here team wants to bring attention to the struggles of pancreatic cancer patients and show that there are people who care. Through this journey, we aim to raise awareness and support for research to improve survival rates and give patients a fighting chance.
We would appreciate your donation, whether large or small (all donations over $2 are tax deductible). Your support is not only a reward for our training and the time we dedicate to this journey, but it also funds much-needed research into:
- The causes of pancreatic cancer
- Early detection methods
- More effective treatments for patients
Since its inception, PanKind has raised over $14 million for research programs at Australia’s leading research institutions and universities. PanKind also operates the highly regarded Parent & Carer Hub, which connects patients and carers with credible information, support, trials, and experts across the country.
(Note: No money raised will go towards the costs associated with the campaign, every team member is self funded)
Meet the 2025 Wish You Were Here Team
In September 2016, my best friend and mentor, Nick Stamatakis, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer while overseas. I received a call from him asking me to look into treatment options so he could “get stuck into beating this disease.” His optimism over the phone was inspiring, but once I hung up, the reality of his diagnosis hit me hard.
Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates — under 10% for non-operable cases and under 20% for operable cases, with an average survival of just 8-12 months. I offered to help manage Nick’s treatment, fully aware of the challenges ahead.
Nick began a chemotherapy treatment plan, but we didn’t stop there. We explored all options — both in Australia and overseas — including several attempts to join clinical trials, as well as alternative treatments like Nano Knife and natural therapies. Despite our best efforts, the consensus was that his cancer was neither operable nor treatable. It was devastating to watch Nick’s health deteriorate: his hair fell out, his body weakened, and he slowly lost his passion for life. Seeing him and his wife Tassie struggle through this was heartbreaking.
At the same time, my friend Scott Hunt was also facing the reality of pancreatic cancer, as his best friend Peter Grima was battling the same disease. This experience sparked a deep frustration with the lack of awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer. Despite having similar patient numbers to breast cancer, pancreatic cancer receives a fraction of the coverage and research funding.
We learned that awareness directly impacts funding, and funding drives research, better treatments, and higher survival rates. The more people know, the more we can change the future for others diagnosed with this devastating disease.
Meet the team:
- Ralph Kemmler (Age 60) – Cancer survivor, founding member of WYWH
- Jim Vass (Age 59) – Lost his mother to cancer, founding member of WYWH
- Adrian Balderston (Age 54) – Nephew of Nick Stamatakis, new member of WYWH
- Chris Charalambous (Age 46) – Lost his father to cancer, new member of WYWH
- George Giakoumakis (Age 22) – Nephew of Nick Stamatakis, new member of WYWH
- Emmanouel Kanellis (Age 16) – Nephew of Nick Stamatakis, youngest member of WYWH
- Con Kanellis (Age 60) – Cancer survivor, founding member of WYWH
My Achievements
Thank you to my Sponsors
$156.14
Alex Ilievski
$54.12
Body Strong Greystanes
Good luck Jim!
$50
Andy Sutton
Best of luck Jim. Hope it all goes well.
$158.25
Michael And Suzi Mekhitarian
Great case
$101
Karan And Amita Kanchan
All the best Jim! Thank you for your efforts for this worthy cause! Wishing you loads of luck and strength to go all the way! Cheers 👊 Karan and Amita Kanchan
$515
Atb Partners Inner West
$22.58
Lee Williams
Best of luck Chris excellent cause
$76.18
Nick Vacondios
Best of Luck Chara - for a great cause that can one day lead to a cure!!!
$515
Jim Koutsouklakis
A small donation for a very worthy cause.
$100
George Kikilas
YNWA
$54.12
Anonymous
$211
Andrea Agamemnonos
$106.12
Jamie Sammut
We are so proud of you Chris!!!
$515
Hakan Erdogan
$49.73
Mathew And Irene Koutsourais
Wishing you well for what will be an amazing adventure to honour your father and heritage. 🙏🏼🙌
$300
Sydney Glass Group
$54.12
Paul Pastura
$152.59
Andrea & Michael Kondos
So impressed !! Well done
$106.12
Chris Koukoutaris
Good luck Chara Don’t eat to many yeeros though !
$263.75
I-tap Plumbing Group
$54.12
Carol & Kosta Dovitsas
Good Luck
$148
Ross Anastasi
Great Cause... Nice work Chris and Team
$2.5k
Pico Early Learning & Kindergarten
$206.20
Sue Storan
Good luck Jim & friends
$515
Con & Donna Kanellis
A Great Cause. For Uncle Nick, and all our friends lost to this disease
$156.14
George Koletti
Good luck. Great cause.
$206.20
Aaron Ward
Great cause guys!
$156.14
Tina Philiastides
A remarkable and honorable adventure for a truly worthy cause. All the best
$40.37
Anna Mic
Happy trekking..
$515
Stanton Hillier Parker
Bravo Con! Excellent cause and initiative.
$106.12
Anne Woltz
In memory of my father Geoff and his brother Cliff. Ex P O W's who walked that path and were evacuated from Crete in May 1943. Good luck to all, great cause.
$54.12
Mitchell Johnston
Strong AB!
$250
Paul Smith
Great cause, enjoy the walk, good luck to you all.
$156.14
Alex & Alex Boufeas
All the best! A very worthy cause.
$200
Chris Demertze
$100
Stephen & Anastasia Joannidis
Good luck.
$208.60
Jenny Daley
Good luck to all the team. A wonderful way to support a worthy cause. My late father-in-law fought in the Battle of Crete and walked that same path in WW2
$206.20
Adam Read
Great cause, and great people!
$5.02k
Anonymous
$106.12
Demi Vass Sciortino
$156.14
Fiona Gioiello
You are an inspiration Con
$250
Con & Helen Panis
Good luck Con & team on this wonderful and amazing cause! We look forward to hearing all about your adventures along the way.
$106.12
Sga
Good luck guys, this is amazing!
$400
Xeskasimo Og Crew
$106.12
Happy Paras
Xeskasimo
$50
Nick Vizakos Xeskasimo
$260.75
Anonymous
$100
John Drakoulis - Xeskasimo Group
$50
George Vlahakis - Xeskasimo Group
$50
George Giokas - Xeskasimo Group
$50
John Epsimos - Xeskasimo Group
$208.60
James Christie
$260.75
Con Christie
Hope you finish your trek and come home safely
$50
Maria Agostino
Good luck Adrian.
$54.12
Chrys Antoniou
Wishing you all a safe and productive trip. Congratulations on supporting a great cause
$3k
Colliers Industrial & Logistics
$54.12
Stella Tzobanakis-dos Santos
Best wishes on your journey to raising awareness about the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete, as well as pancreatic cancer and to honouring the life of your late friend. I stand with you in all of the above having lost a father to cancer and written a book about the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete (which I hope you will share to help also raise awareness about this extraordinary but little known and shared story) http://stelitsahome.bigcartel.com (go to Creforce the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete by Stella Tzobanakis)
$76.18
Esther Euripidou
My Brother died 12/04/2024 from pancreatic cancer,less than 5 weeks from his diagnosis. You honour him with your purpose and ambition. Wish you were here, Kiros Alexandratos.
$260.75
Tim Skelton
Good luck Adrian & team!
$30
Helen K
$75.12
Steven Mouzakis
Best of luck team
$74.48
Bella Taylor
Good on you AB!
$260.75
Northedge Carpentry
All the best team!
$76.18
John Tsoutsa
Great cause, good luck AB & team
$2.02k
Alan Balderston
From Alan & Robyn
$208.60
Euro Brick And Blocklaying
$106.12
Rosemary Anner
Have an amazing time!
$260.75
Mohammed Rajani
$156.14
Adrian Balderston
Pumped team
$106.12
Matt F
Well done AB (and Team). All the best
$54.12
Josh Gerges
$106.12
Jon Orsborn
Good luck, excellent cause!
$260.75
Ying Chan
Jim Vass
$40.37
Sandra Hanna
$52.92
Haroula Tobolov
Great cause, Best wishes to the team
$54.12
Anonymous
$50
Hayley Smithson
Amazing and inspiring!
$76.18
Nick Kapsalis
$74.48
Betty K
In memory of those we have lost. Go well.
$40.37
Sophie Vogiatjis
Best Wishes to all the team 💙
$106.12
Maria Kyramarios
$20
Helen K
Awesome initiative. Great cause. Best wishes team!
$106.12
Jimi And Niki Zach
Great initiative. Good luck and go well ♥️🇦🇺🇬🇷
Good luck Chris and team. A great initiative.