With a team of more than 450 research and clinical staff, the Perkins is committed to improving outcomes from people facing cancer, heart disease, diabetes and rare genetic or neuromuscular diseases.
The Perkins is backed by strong partnerships and driven by community support, including Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) proud and longstanding relationship which has contributed more than $2 million to support medical research since 2018.
This partnership with the Perkins is backed by MinRes employees, many of whom have taken part in the annual Cancer 200 Ride for the Perkins and raised more than $3.2 million over the past seven years.
The Perkins Plunge makes a splash
Through its partnership with the Perkins, MinRes is proud to support the Perkins Plunge – a 12-hour overnight team relay swim and one of the research organisation's annual fundraising events.
Held for the first time in 2024, the Plunge brings together corporate teams, researchers and spirited members of the community who bravely leap into chilly pools and swim their hearts out to raise critical funds for medical research.
MinRes GM Commercial Jodie Winnett is gearing up to take on the event for the second time.
Despite completing the Rottnest Channel Swim five times – including two solo crossings – and the challenging 25km Port to Pub ultra marathon, she says the endurance required for the overnight Plunge is another level.
“I'm really proud to be part of the MinRes team swimming through the night for such an important cause,” Jodie said.
“People close to me have been impacted by diseases the Perkins is researching, which gives this challenge a deeper meaning. When it gets tough in those early hours of the morning, I’ll be thinking of them to push through.”
Perkins Chief Executive Officer Professor Peter Leedman AO said the event aims to unite the WA community for an important cause.
"Participants pushing themselves in the pool symbolises the collective effort needed to propel medical research forward in the hope of fundraising life-saving discoveries and improve health outcomes," Professor Leedman said.
"The Perkins Plunge powered by MinRes is more than just a fundraising event. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and our researchers' commitment to finding answers to the world's toughest diseases."
A cause close to the heart
Among MinRes team members supporting the Plunge are sisters Elia and Makayla Felix, who will be pushing themselves to the limit for a deeply personal reason.
Elia and Makalya will swim in memory of their aunty, Toni, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2023.
Elia said her Zia (‘aunty’ in Italian) was like a second Mum.
“She was so deeply embedded in my life and always there whenever I needed anything. She was my person – the one I could turn to for support, comfort and guidance," Elia said.
“When I found out about her diagnosis, the thought of losing her was unbearable. I remember our conversation and she was so cool, calm and collected. Instead of me consoling her, she ended up comforting me.”
Elia said experiencing the loss of a loved one has shaped her outlook on life and by swimming with her colleagues in the Perkins Plunge she hopes to support new advancements in cancer treatments.
“It put everything into perspective. Zia had to go through so much just to live, so there’s no point wasting time sweating the small stuff,” she added.
“I can’t wait for the day when no one has to hear how many weeks they have left to live or worry about their survival rate.”
Through its social investment program, MinRes is proud to support organisations and projects that deliver benefits to the communities where it operates.
