The original Guinness World Record, GWR, for\u00a0the most amount of people dancing to the Nutbush was set on the\u00a0Horsham City Oval\u00a0on\u00a0November 29, 2015, raising money for the redevelopment of the Horsham Town Hall.<\/p>\n
The record has been broken many times by attempts around the world, with the current record 6779\u00a0dancers, set at the 2025 Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill.<\/p>\n
Professor George Kannourakis, founder of FECRI and a long-serving oncologist and haematologist, said the campaign reflected the community spirit on which the institute was built.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur research has always been powered by communities coming together. Nutbush for Hope continues that tradition in a wonderfully Australian way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery person who dances, donates or shares the campaign is helping fund research into cancers affecting families across regional Victoria and throughout Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Kannourakis said while the campaign promised plenty of fun, it also carried a serious message for people to keep up to date with recommended cancer screening and speak with their GP about persistent or unexplained changes in their health.<\/p>\n
\u201cCancer diagnosis and mortality rates in parts of Western Victoria remain unacceptably high, reinforcing the need for greater awareness, earlier detection and continued investment in cancer research,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
FECRI was established in Ballarat in 1998 following a promise Professor Kannourakis made to his young patient, Fiona Elsey, who lost her fight for life aged 14.<\/p>\n
Fiona wanted cancer research to take place in regional Victoria so other people might have a better chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her wish inspired the creation of what is now Australia\u2019s only regionally based, community-funded and independent cancer research institute, conducting research into ovarian, breast, bowel, prostate, brain and other cancers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Its scientists investigate cancer progression, treatment resistance and ways of harnessing the immune system to fight the disease.<\/p>\n
People can register for $15 to become a Horsham History Dancer at the show, for participants aged eight and older, combining dance registration with entry to the Horsham Show, while children aged seven and under can dance for a gold coin donation on the day.<\/p>\n
Donations and dance registrations can be made at fecri.org.au.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dance registrations and combined Horsham Show entry options will be available through horshamshow.com.au.<\/p>\n