In 2013, as Con Kanellis lay on a hospital bed receiving chemotherapy for stage 4 metastatic throat cancer, he had no idea that this harrowing experience would lead to the creation of a community-driven movement dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer. Today, the Wish You Were Here, a team of Greek Australians, is preparing for its most ambitious project yet: the Crete 2025 Trek, a 100 km journey across the rugged terrain of Crete to honor the ANZACs who fought and made sacrifices of WWII soldiers and raise vital funds for pancreatic cancer research.
The Crete 2025 Project: A Tribute to History and Hope
Wish You Were Here, the team’s latest initiative, the Crete 2025 Project, is deeply personal and rooted in history. As a Greek Australian with roots in Crete, Con’s has always been passionate about Greek history and culture. During the Kokoda trek, he learned about the Australian 6th Division, which fought in both Papua New Guinea and the Battle of Crete in 1941.
The Battle of Crete was a brutal chapter in WWII, where Australian, New Zealand, Greek, and British soldiers fought against the German invasion. The soldiers’ fighting retreat from Maleme to Chora Sfakion was a harrowing journey, mirroring the struggles faced by pancreatic cancer patients today.
In May 2025, seven Wish You Were Here team members will retrace this historic route, trekking 100 km over five days from Maleme to Chora Sfakion. The team includes Greek Australians and passionate Philhellenes, all of whom have been directly affected by cancer. The goal is to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, honor the sacrifices of WWII soldiers, and strengthen the bonds between Australia and Greece.
A Journey Born from Personal Struggle
Con’s battle with cancer began in 2013 when he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic throat cancer. Over seven weeks, he underwent grueling chemotherapy sessions, each lasting up to seven hours. At the time, he felt like he had been handed a death sentence. However, against the odds, Con survived. This experience was transformative, not only in how he viewed life but also in how Con wanted to contribute to the world.
Con Kanellis felt an overwhelming sense of privilege and gratitude for having beaten cancer, especially as he had lost family members to the disease. This gratitude compelled him to give back to the community, particularly to the Cancer Centre at Royal North Shore Hospital, which had played a crucial role in my treatment.
In 2016, Con’s world was shaken again when his best friend and mentor, Nick Stamatakis, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Around the same time, another close friend, Scott Hunt, lost his friend Peter Grima to the same disease. Witnessing the devastating impact of pancreatic cancer on his loved ones ignited a fire within him to take action.
The Birth of the Wish You Were Here Team
Scott and Con quickly realized that pancreatic cancer was a vastly underfunded and misunderstood disease. Unlike breast cancer or melanoma, pancreatic cancer lacked a vocal advocacy community, and resources for patients and their families were scarce. We learned about the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation (now known as Pankind), an organization dedicated to improving outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Inspired by their work, they created the Wish You Were Here team, a group of ordinary Australians committed to raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research. The approach was unique: “We would undertake physically challenging activities that symbolized the pain and trauma experienced by pancreatic cancer patients.”
In August 2017, they took the first team of seven to Papua New Guinea to trek the Kokoda Track. The journey was brutal, both physically and emotionally, but it was also transformative. Later that year, they organized a gala dinner that raised over $200,000 for the Avner Foundation.
Tragically, Nick Stamatakis passed away in early 2018, but his memory continues to inspire our work. In 2019, they trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp and raised over $300,000 through another gala dinner.
How You Can Support the Cause
The Wish You Were Here team is entirely self-funded, meaning every dollar raised goes directly to pancreatic cancer research through our partner, Pankind. We are also seeking corporate sponsors to support our campaign.
For the broader community, donations can be made via our fundraising page. Every donation over $2 is tax-deductible and contributes to vital research into early diagnosis, better treatments, and support for patients and their families.
Donate Now / https://fundraise.pankind.org.au/fundraisers/conkanellis
A Legacy of Hope and Resilience
The Crete 2025 Project is more than just a trek; it’s a testament to the power of community, resilience, and hope. “By combining our passion for history with our commitment to fighting pancreatic cancer, we aim to create a lasting impact that honors the past and paves the way for a brighter future.”
“Join us in our mission to raise awareness, fund research, and ultimately save lives. Together, we can make a difference.”
