A Moment of Gratitude: Honouring the Morris Family and Our Supporters
- TRACKER Biobank
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Yesterday in Melbourne, the TRACKER team had the privilege of attending the Lung Foundation Australia Board Meeting. A particularly moving moment came when TRACKER updated the Morris family on the impact of the Cassy Morris Lung Cancer Innovation Grant — an award created to honour Cassy’s legacy and advance lung cancer research.
A Story Inspiring Lasting Change
Cassy Morris was diagnosed with Stage IV EGFR lung cancer in June 2017. She was a young woman, a never smoker, and a devoted mother who faced her illness with remarkable courage and determination. Tragically, Cassy passed away just 12 months later, leaving behind her three daughters, Tahlia, Kiara, Harper, and her husband, Kane.
Cassy’s journey is a powerful reminder that lung cancer does not discriminate. It affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including young, healthy individuals with no history of smoking. Her story highlights the urgent need for bold, innovative research to give every patient the best chance of survival.
The Cassy Morris Grant embodies that mission. By supporting research into genetic drivers, biomarkers, and precision medicine, it is helping to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time. For Cassy’s family, this grant is far more than funding. It's a lasting legacy that transforms loss into hope and builds a future where fewer families endure the heartbreak they experienced.
Turning Generosity into Impact
A highlight of the event was hearing from Dr Sarah Yeo, respiratory physician and TRACKER PhD candidate, who shared an inspiring update on her research made possible through the Cassy Morris Lung Cancer Innovation Grant. Her work, powered by TRACKER Biobank samples, is uncovering why some patients respond to immunotherapy while others don’t, paving the way for personalised treatments and better outcomes for people affected by lung cancer.
"The Cassy Morris Lung Cancer Innovation Grant gives vital support to early-career researchers like me. It allows us to explore questions that could change how lung cancer is treated and improve lives.”
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Dr. Sarah Yeo, TRACKER PhD Student
A Community United in Purpose
The meeting was a celebration of partnership, generosity, and a shared vision for a brighter future. To the Morris family, and to everyone who supports TRACKER’s work, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your belief in our mission is what drives progress and sustains hope. Thank you to Mark Brooke and Professor Lucy Morgan for the opportunity to attend.
Together with Lung Foundation Australia, our clinical partners, and the wider research community, TRACKER is proud to carry Cassy’s legacy forward, advancing research and building a future where every patient can access the right treatment at the right time.
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