Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people participated in the Blackmores 10km Bridge Run, raising much-needed funds for cancer research during the Sydney Running Festival.

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And our Macquarie University Sport Scholars and Alumni provided enormous support to the Mac Uni Can Too Training Pod in the form of promotional, social media and training for the popular event.

Elite Sport Scholar Ambassadors – sprint kayaker Ella Beere and speed rock climber Mattias Braach-Maksvytis – regularly trained with the Pod on Wednesday evenings during the 10-week training program leading up to the event. Powerlifter Jess Sewastenko also attended a Saturday morning training session to speak and inspire the Pod members.

The Can Too movement has raised over $20 million and invested in 156 cancer research projects since being founded in 2005. To deliver on their vision, the movement invests 20 per cent of funds raised in health promotion and cancer prevention, while the remaining 80 per cent of funds is directed to cancer research.

Ella, Mattias and fellow Sport Scholar and Olympic Swimmer Cate Campbell attended the Can Too Training Pod’s graduation ceremony recently, and along with their peers James Ellis (Hurdler), Kate Dodds (Triathlete), Tomas and Daniel Gartner (Floorball) and Joya Nicolas (Tennis) participated in the Bridge Run with the Pod members on Sunday.

This year, the combined effort of the Mac Uni Pod team captains – Jennie Star and Leanne Matheson – along with mentor Claire Elliott, coaches Beth Croft and Matt Joyce and the Mac Uni Pod Can Too team have raised over $50,000 which will be donated to Macquarie University cancer research.

“We are proud to see our current student athletes and sport scholars invested in this wonderful event and fundraising initiative,” says Peter Boyle, Head of Campus Life. “Their contributions to the training sessions and event preparation have been fantastic and we are in awe of their ongoing commitment to and dedication to both their studies, sporting career and community involvement. We tip our hats to the students involved and the wonderful work the Can Too Foundation does in order to raise money for much needed research here at Macquarie University.”