New laboratories funded by ACRF are set to strengthen cancer research for some of the most prevalent cancers in Australia.

ACRF’s recent $2 million grant has allowed the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne to expand and enhance existing research programs into the causes of, and new treatments for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer and leukaemia.

In order to do this, the ACRF funding will be directed into two particular cancer research divisions, known as ‘The ACRF Stem Cells and Cancer Division’ and ‘The ACRF Chemical Biology Division’.

“Lung cancer is the greatest cause of cancer-related death in Australians, while breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality in women,” said Professor Geoff Lindeman, joint head of the ACRF Stem Cells and Cancer Division (pictured, middle).

“These are diseases that are very prevalent, and patients need better treatments” he said. “Similarly, more research is needed into ovarian cancer, which is poorly understood and for which the outlook for patients is very poor. We need new treatment strategies, ACRF’s support will help us to do that.”

Please click here, or on the image (right), to read our top stories on cancer research, fundraising around Australia, and ACRF news for November. This edition features the ACRF grant announcements, christmas giving ideas, and plenty of fantastic fundraiser stories from throughout the month.

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The Australian Cancer Research Foundation would like to congratulate Professor Michelle Haber AM, Director of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, on her recent award at the NSW Science and Engineering Awards.

Professor Haber was recognised for excellence in biomedical science, having dedicated her career to drug discovery and biomedical therapeutics for children with cancer.

That same night, at a separate ceremony at Taronga Zoo, Professor Haber was also acknowledged as one of four NSW finalists for the 2012 Australian of the Year Award, lending further weight to her incredible commitment to ground-breaking cancer research in Australia.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) is almost at an end, and ACRF would like to acknowledge the increased awareness, resources for patient care, and vital research that have been enhanced by some fantastic pink-themed fundraising over the last few weeks.

“Research and more research is the key to defeating cancer,” says Chief Executive, Mr David Brettell.

“Since the ACRF was established in 1984 we have given 16 multi-million dollar grants to research that is investigating preventative, diagnostic and/or treatment methods for breast cancer.”

Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Professor Douglas Hilton has been awarded the Milstein Award in Florence, Italy.

The Milstein Award is considered to be the pinnacle of scientific achievement in interferon and cytokine research, which involves the study of the immune system and cell communication.

We congratulate Professor Hilton on this most prestigious award and thank him for his contributions to cancer research.