Our Story

In October 2022, we lost our generous, kind and loving Dad to Sarcoma. Dave’s life cannot be measured in years but instead by his impact, through the memories, stories and experiences he shared with so many. He was ‘Larger Than Life’ in every way and in his memory, the Hynes family and friends have setup the Larger Than Life Fund to support research and medical projects related to Sarcoma treatment.

Since 2023, we have partnered with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne to support pioneering research into osteosarcoma through the REMOD (Tissue Engineering and Modelling of Osteochondral Diseases) program. Led by A/Prof Serena Duchi in collaboration with A/Prof Claudia Di Bella, the research team has successfully developed a breakthrough 3D-bioprinted model of bone cancer using tumour cells taken directly from a patient. By embedding these cells in a specialised hydrogel that mimics bone tissue and combining it with a perfusion bioreactor that recreates blood flow, researchers can now replicate tumour growth far more realistically in the laboratory.

This work represents an important step toward personalised cancer treatment, enabling the creation of patient-specific tumour “avatars” that can be used to test and identify the most effective therapies for each individual. Funding has also supported the recruitment of a sarcoma research nurse and the continuation of the principal research role to advance the project, expand its findings, and help position the team for long-term funding through a competitive NHMRC grant application.