Registrations are now open for the unique night-time trek to raise vital funds for life-saving research at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

The updated route will take walkers on a shortened 11-kilometre loop through the CBD and surrounding suburbs, passing by a dazzling array of light installations that form part of the Illuminate Adelaide festival.

More than a walk, BRIGHT is a beacon of hope, bringing together thousands of Adelaideans to march side by side for the cause.

SAHMRI is home to more than 700 scientists whose research spans across four main themes within the institute – Precision Cancer Medicine, Lifelong Health, Women & Kids and Aboriginal Health Equity.

Within these themes, researchers are progressing across a vast array of health conditions, including chronic pain, blood cancer, preterm birth, diabetes, paediatric brain cancer, heart disease, dementia, bowel and prostate cancer and many more.

Some of the funds raised by last year’s BRIGHT Walk are helping this year’s BRIGHT Accelerator Award Winner, Associate Professor Christina Bursill, to prevent, detect and treat heart disease.

“I’m working on novel ways to detect the earliest stages of cardiovascular disease before it becomes more complicated and harder to treat,” Bursill said.

“My team is also developing new therapies for the prevention of heart disease.”

Walking the talk – researcher Associate Professor Christina Bursill has participated in every BRIGHT Walk

Bursill has signed up for her third BRIGHT Walk and said she’s excited to take part alongside the many others who are so eager to do what they can to improve community health.

“The BRIGHT Walk is such an awesome experience to be a part of.  As a researcher, seeing the community come out in force to support all the work SAHMRI does is immensely inspiring,” she said.

The BRIGHT Walk isn’t just about the physical challenge, it’s a metaphorical stand against the darkness of illness and a testament to strength in numbers.

Sandra Vallance took part last year and found participating in BRIGHT highly meaningful.

“SAHMRI’s BRIGHT Walk gave me a great sense of purpose and community,” she said.

“Making a contribution to assist in a small way seemed like the least I could do, but it means so much more than that. The money you raise on the BRIGHT Walk helps SAHMRI’s brilliant researchers create a brighter future for the people we love.”

Keiren Chester also pounded the pavement last time around and said being part of a united front for good creates a special atmosphere on the route.

“I love the sense of community and camaraderie that comes with taking part in the BRIGHT Walk and of course all of the fantastic sights along the way,” he said.

Keiren makes the most of the weeks leading up to the event too, preparing by turning everyday strolls into training opportunities.

“I get in as much extra walking as possible, whether that means walking to the shops instead of driving or getting off the bus a couple of stops early,” he said.

This year promises to be a fantastic spectacle, as the BRIGHT Walk intersects with the Illuminate Adelaide festival. Walkers will experience dazzling light displays, live entertainment, food, drinks and a well-earned sense of accomplishment for their efforts.

If exercise with a greater purpose sounds like your thing, you can sign up as an individual or as a team now, and if you’d prefer to contribute another way, there’s also the option of donating to someone else’s walk.

Find all the details and register here.