Suncorp’s annual Spirit to Cure program has wrapped for another year, with close to 4,000 employees donning their activewear to raise money for cancer research, prevention and support.
Across 12 events, Suncorp’s Sun Chasers ran, swam, cycled and walked with their teammates in the spirit of connection and fundraising for a cause that has touched so many lives.
This enterprise-wide program has raised funds for cancer research, support and prevention through employee participation in active events across Australia and New Zealand.
In Australia, the funds go to Tour de Cure, and in New Zealand the funds go to Leukemia & Blood Cancer NZ, and Cancer Research Trust.
Celebrating five years of making an impact
Through Spirit to Cure, Suncorp has supported charities to provide accommodation, education, screening and detection prevention, research, family support, transport, treatment, wigs and palliative care for patients and their loved ones who have been impacted by cancer.
As we celebrate five years of the program, we’re proud to have raised over $7.8 million to change the lives of Australian cancer patients and their families.
Fundraising through Spirit to Cure is cancer agnostic.
Over the past four years, Suncorp has contributed to research and community grants in support of 20 types of cancer.
Suncorp Spirit to Cure Project Manager Caitlin Makin said she’s proud of the program's evolution over the past five years.
“Due to the programs growing popularity, we introduced new events such as a 10-kilometre walk option, a new walk in Townsville and a swimming event in Brisbane – all with great success.
"We also had over 300 employees volunteer to help across our events, thanks to Collective Giving – our employee giving program that allows one day of paid volunteering leave,” Caitlin said.
Leading breakthroughs in cancer research
We’re celebrating five cancer breakthroughs in five years – a huge milestone for Suncorp and our employees who show up each year to make a difference.
Take a look at how our fundraising is supporting cancer research projects.
Breakthrough #1: The Penile Health App: Using Artificial Intelligence to triage penile lesions
Penile cancer is aggressive, and detection is crucial for survival however many men delay seeking help due to a lack of awareness and fear of embarrassment.
The study explored the use of artificial intelligence in detection of penile cancer. The goal is to complement and not replace clinicians.
The AI algorithm may allow patients to evaluate any concerning penile lesion from the comfort and privacy of their home, potentially encouraging earlier medical consultation.
Breakthrough #2: Peptide inhibitors
Some cancers use Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) to keep growing.
A key part of this process involves two proteins —FANCM and RMI— which help repair DNA and keep the cancer cells stable.
If you can block the interaction between these proteins, you can potentially kill these cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
The researchers created tiny, circular molecules called cyclic peptides that can stick to RMI and stop it from connecting with FANCM.
This is the first time scientists have made calid chemical inhibitors that can block FANCM-RMI.
Breakthrough #3: Intravasation INVADE device
This study is about understanding how cancer cells spread from their original location to other parts of the body – a process called metastasis that caused 90 per cent of cancer deaths.
They created a tiny lab-on-a-chip device called INVADE, which mimics the environment of blood vessels.
It allows scientists to watch cancer cells interact with blood vessel walls in real time over several days.
Breakthrough #4: Treating gastrointestinal cancers
Gastrointestinal cancers exploit the sensory neuropeptide CGRP and its co-receptor RAMP1 to accelerate tumour growth, with both molecules highly expressed in colorectal and gastric cancer cells.
Research findings from this study suggest drugs targeting CGRP, currently used for migraines, could be repurposed for use alongside other treatments in gastrointestinal cancer, prompting further clinical trials and biomarker development.
Breakthrough #5: Novel peptide cyclisation strategy
This study introduced a novel peptide cyclisation strategy to improve efficiency, selectivity, and structural diversity of peptide inhibitors for drug screening platforms.
The new peptide cyclisation system achieved higher library diversity and broader substrate scope, providing new peptide libraries for screening against new drug targets.
These new peptide libraries will be screened against cancer drug targets to help discover potential new therapies.
Supporting cancer research in other ways
Some of our Suncorp people took on different challenges this year, like our very own Ryley Batt OAM – GIO Brand Ambassador, CTP Advisor and five-time Paralympian who swapped his Rugby Chair for the Suncorp Spirit to Cure tour.
Ryley challenged himself by riding his custom handcycle on a three day, 300km journey, with 2400m of elevation—starting from Noosa, winding through the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and finishing in Brisbane.
A group of Suncorp employees chose to roll up their sleeves to pack 389 Super Tees – a medical garment disguised as fun costumes for sick kids undergoing cancer treatment.
Thanks to a generous $20,000 grant and incredible volunteer support from Suncorp, Tour de Cure is helping deliver these care packs to kids across Australia, turning hospital stays into moments of courage and imagination.
Each Super Tee is not only practical—allowing easy medical access—but also powerful.
With soft cotton, non-toxic prints, and a superhero design, it helps young patients feel strong, brave, and seen.
And with every pack including a handwritten message of encouragement, today’s volunteers helped send more than just a gift—they sent hope.
About Spirit to Cure
Spirit to Cure is a Suncorp initative for employees, sponsors and business partners to take part in an event that runs through 21 August – 28 October 2025.
Events are held in Perth, Newcastle, Adelaide, Toowoomba, Hobart, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Townsville.
All fundraising goes to Tour de Cure, a registered Australian Tier 1 Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
They are dedicated to discovering new treatments, enhancing existing ones, and improving the lives of those affected by cancer.
Suncorp is grateful for the wonderful support of our partners and sponsors.