Pillar 2 Research
21 years of passion and curiosity.
During the 2023-2024 financial year, the Trust Fund contributed $13,720 in funding to the Border Medical Oncology Research Unit, enabling local people access to clinical trials. When we learnt that one of the team, Jacqui Mc Burnie was about to celebrate 21 years of employment with the Unit, we couldn’t wait to talk to Jacqui to find out what drives her dedication in the challenging but rewarding field of cancer research.
With a passion for helping others, ignited during her nursing years, Jacqui has always been drawn to the dynamic nature of research – a place where science meets humanity, where every day bring new questions, and where breakthroughs changes lives.
Clinical trials are not just about testing new drugs but being part of a larger mission to bring better treatments to patients. Over the years, Jacqui has been involved in countless trials, each filled with a unique journey, puzzles to solve and successes. For Jacqui one of the most notable success stories was the involvement in the Herceptin clinical trials. Prior to the clinical trials “Women were mortgaging their houses to gain access to Herceptin, we had clinical trials, and now that’s standard care” Jacqui said.
Immunotherapy has also been a game changer for Jacqui and how she approaches her work. Originally immunotherapy was only used in the treatment of melanoma, but now it has expanded, and it continues to expand, to be applied to other cancers. Jacqui tells us that “Each patient is now looked at very differently, and treatment is based on an individual’s type of mutations and DNA that can drive the treatment. We no longer have a broad approach to cancer.”
In looking back, Jacqui tells us that there has been momentous change in a brief period of time. However, her mission has always remained the same, everything is about the patient, their needs, desires, and outcomes.
“What the patient wants to get out of a clinical trial might be quite different from what you expect them to want, a lot of patients are doing it to benefit others and not themselves. But we want to provide the best outcomes, make them enjoy coming to the facility. Cancer is not pleasant, but I want it to be pleasant as it can be for the patients. Not having to put them through too many procedures is always front of mind.”
As Jacqui looks back over the past 21 years, it is the challenges and playing detective that keep her curious. Jacqui’s insatiable curiosity continues to drive her forwards “It is interesting, that is what keeps me coming back every day. You never know what is going to happen every day. Something new is always popping up. Is that side effect related to the drug, the disease, what’s going on? It is really interesting.”
In looking to the future, apart from a beach holiday, Jacqui is looking forward to the ongoing changes in how we test cell mutation, Next Generation Sequencing testing (NGS) and the development of new agents to treat cancer. For Jacqui “Mutation treatments is what I’m finding quite exciting, and there are so many of them.”
Jacqui’s work has contributed towards significant advancements in the field, including the approval of new therapies that have given hope to thousands of patients worldwide and here in Albury Wodonga.
From all of us at the Trust Fund, the Cancer Centre, and our community members whom you serve, Congratulations Jacqui on achieving such a significant milestone. We all very much look forward to learning more about your work in the years to come and celebrating your important work anniversary on the 20 October this year.
