Brain cancer researchers Spencer Briguglio and Samer Jassar have gone a long way in their research, studying cancer cells patterns and working on enhancing effective drugs.

The students will join the Windsor Spring Sprint walk, the main fundraiser for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, on Saturday, June 13. Afterwards, they will share their progress through a poster presentation at the Riverside Sportsmen Club.

“Many people do donate but don’t know what their money goes to,” says Jasser, a fourth-year biology student. “Our presentation will share our results, future plans, what experiment we are running. They can ask us all the questions they want.”

During their two-year term, supported by the foundation, the students volunteered in the lab of Windsor Cancer Research Group’s translational research director Lisa Porter. The experience gave them the opportunity to meet many cancer patient survivors and attend cancer patient support meetings. It helped them realize how their research directly affects others.

“We wish to walk in remembrance and support of those who are fighting or have fought brain tumours,” says Briguglio.

The young researchers will not run alone—their team, Jedi Rivet Fairies, includes Dr. Porter, the organization’s assistant director Karen Metcalfe, and Brett Lumley, assistant head coach of the Lancer track and field team.

The team raised $18,500 last year and is aiming for $20,000 this year.