W4R National Step Challenge Raises Over $100,000 For Pancreatic Cancer in 2023

Viridian Advisory / November 20, 2023

The W4R National Step Challenge to end Pancreatic Cancer was created by the Viridian team in mid-2021, in response to the diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer of the company’s HR Director, Rita Agati. The challenge aimed to raise awareness and funds for the Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre and to support the Agati family. Despite Rita’s passing in December 2021, her legacy lives on.

In 2021, the first edition of the challenge raised $48,000 and collectively walked five times around Australia. In 2022, close to 50 teams participated, over 500 walkers and 5 Australian corporates, raising $50,040 and walking collectively twice around the world!

In 2023, the challenge saw a record number of teams, with 25 Corporates contributing to close to 1,100 steppers, including offshore teams across Nepal, the Philippines and South Africa participating for the very first time. The challenge extended its purpose to remember all those who have gone before us, as well as driving healthy habits during the middle of winter over the 31-day challenge in July. An incredible $124,000 was presented to the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at the Epworth, bringing the total raised over three years to close to $222,000 and collectively over 3 years now close to 2,000 steppers have walked to the moon.

In 2024, the organizers aim to have 50-100 Corporates participating and getting closer to 2,500 steppers raising over an aspirational $300,000. They invite everyone to be part of another breakout year and help further accelerate the progress being made in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

A special thank you to the inaugural sponsors who supported such an incredible year: Platinum Sponsor PAN-Tribal Asset Management Pty Ltd, Associate sponsor – Arnold Bloch Leibler and Corporate sponsors – Epworth Medical Foundation and the Viridian Financial Group Ltd.

And thank you to all the Australian corporates who went on a leap of faith with us and believed and supported what the step challenge aims to achieve with 100% of all funds flowing through to Pancreatic research and care at the Jreissati Pancreatic Centre, one of the top centres in Australia.

PAN-Tribal Asset Management, Arnold Bloch Leibler, Epworth Medical Foundation, Ironbark Asset Management; NAB, Medibank, Bensons Property Group, Viridian Financial Group Ltd, The Cancer Council, CBRE Tenant Reps, Hall & Willcox, Hawthorn FC, Hell-Yes, Honner, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, Interactive, Levantine Hill, Enlightened Financial Services, Roccaforte Financial Pty Ltd; Smartmove, UBS, BDO; CBRE Projects; United Global Capital; The Big Umbrella Foundation.

Michael Ehrentraut

Chair – Viridian Foundation

For more information visit the Viridian Foundation website.

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