World Cancer Day takes place on February 4^th every year and is an opportunity for the entire world to join together in the fight against cancer.

The theme for World Cancer Day 2012 is ‘Together it is possible’. It refers to an international target to reduce premature death from cancer by 25% before 2025 – an ambitious but certainly possible goal, provided individuals, families, organisations, and government continue to invest in cutting-edge cancer research.

Research and more research is the key to beating cancer. Australian researchers are among the best in the world and have already made their mark with truly significant discoveries and treatments. Many of them have dedicated their lives to cancer research. Their work can only continue through our support: Together it is possible.

Cancer touches us all in some way – and it directly impacts on the lives of a third of Australians before the age of 75. But every day brings new light in the fight against cancer and there are many ways you can be involved:

• Hold a World Cancer Day event (when you inform us of your event we can add your details to the global World Cancer Day map and calendar!)
• Remember a loved one on World Cancer Day with a memorial donation.
• Make a long-term commitment to cancer research by pledging a regular charity donation to the ACRF.

Every dollar of every donation we receive (100%) goes to the fight against this terrible disease. To view the latest in cancer research discoveries, please visit our website.

Last night the ACRF was proud to award $9 million in grants to three cutting-edge cancer research centres who are doing truly fantastic work here in Australia.

The awardees were selected after a thorough investigation by our Medical Research Advisory Committee (which consists of 13 esteemed Australian cancer researchers and is chaired by Professor Ian Frazer, co-creator of the cervical cancer vaccine).

In May of this year, ACRF received a total of 16 applicants for its cancer research grants. From these candidates, five were selected for further assessment , and yesterday, having conducted extensive site visits and interviews, the Committee made their final recommendations to the ACRF Board of Trustees.

The grants will be used exclusively to fund state-of-the-art technologies and facilities which speed up discoveries in our fight against cancer – ultimately working to save lives by saving time.

A new anti-cancer agent is entering clinical trials to treat the most common type of leukaemia.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Melbourne is implementing the phase Ia clinical trial that will demonstrate the safest dose of ABT-199, a drug designed to block the function of the Bcl-2 protein which allows leukaemia cells to live longer.