Rio Tinto joins forces with QIMR

Today the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and Rio Tinto announced a three year partnership in the fight against cancer. The Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the QIMR will raise much needed funds to support world class cancer research.

Rio Tinto’s Tim Lane is one of the many participants planning to swap his work clothes for a cycling jersey to take part in the ride and support a cause very close to home.

“I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2009. If I had received that diagnosis in the 1970s I would have had a 10 per cent chance of survival,” Mr Lane said.

“Thanks to the dramatic improvement in cancer treatments in the course of one generation, testicular cancer now has one of the highest survival rates, and today I am cancer free. It gives hope that we can actually conquer cancer, and the work of QIMR is central to this effort.”

The Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer takes place on 20 and 21 August and is a two day, 200 kilometre bike ride in Queensland. After camping overnight, the experience culminates with a high-energy finish line celebration.

The event will bring together people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities, with participants fully supported with everything they need including catered meals, stocked pit stops, medical care and massage.

Rio Tinto Energy Chief Executive Doug Ritchie said supporting cancer research was important to its employees, given the number of local cancer fundraisers they hold throughout the year.

“Statistics show that one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime,” Mr Ritchie said.

“As the official title sponsor of the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer for the next three years, we are formalising our people’s support for this worthwhile cause.

“The event is also aligned with Rio Tinto’s goals of promoting a happy and healthy workforce and giving back to the vital communities in which we work.”

QIMR’s Director, Professor Frank Gannon said he is delighted to welcome Rio Tinto as the major sponsor of the fundraising event.

“The Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer is the largest corporate sponsorship for QIMR and it is great to see two Australian icons united by a common goal of combating cancer,” Professor Gannon said.

“Cancer affects every family directly or indirectly and because of that approximately half of QIMR’s researchers are working to understand the environmental and genetic causes of this terrible disease and how a normal functioning part of our body becomes a target for cancer.

“Our ultimate aim is to contribute to saving lives through excellent and relevant research that results in the development of new treatments and better detection methods.”

This new sponsorship builds on an established relationship between QIMR and Rio Tinto with Rio Tinto long time supporters of QIMR’s Spotlight on Science programme. The annual programme brings Indigenous students from regional and remote areas of Queensland to Brisbane for a week of science activities.

To support the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer by participating or donating, please go to www.conquercancer.org.au or call 1300 11 RIDE (7433). The ride is open to cyclists of all abilities; all you need is a bike and a helmet.

Queensland Institute of Medical Research is one of Australia’s largest and most successful medical research institutes. Our researchers are investigating the genetic and environmental causes of more than 40 diseases as well as developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies. The Institute’s diverse research program extends from tropical diseases to cancers to Indigenous health, mental health, obesity, HIV and asthma. For more information visit www.qimrberghofer.edu.au.

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa. For more information visit www.riotinto.com.

The Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two day, 200 kilometre bike ride to raise money and awareness for cancer research. The ride will take place on August 20-21, 2011 through Queensland’s countryside.