The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) is dedicated to helping find a cure for cancer through the continued support of world-class research in Australia.

Established in 1984 by the late Sir Peter Abeles, the Foundation has evolved into one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisations. In 20 years we have raised over $40 million to support leading edge Australian research initiatives, ensuring our country remains at the forefront of global cancer research.

But the fight against cancer doesn’t come cheaply. Microscopes used in the latest cell-based research, for example, cost more than $1 million each, and the annual cost of treating cancer in Australia is more than $2 billion.

Scientists are relying on people like us to keep their work going.

The ACRF is different from other cancer charities, in that we seek to fund research only, and we finance facilities not provided for by State or federal governments.

Funded through generous public and corporate donations, with no government assistance whatsoever, the Foundation is also dependent on income generated by bequests, in-memoriam gifts and the tireless efforts of our voluntary fundraising committees around the country.  You can join an existing Cancerians committee or establish a new one in your town or suburb to help raise funds for Australia's best scientists.  Or you can start your own fundraising initiatives - from cake stalls, to charity balls, to climbing mountains. 

With  grants exceeding $1.5 million up to $10 million — money just not available from other private sources in Australia - the ACRF continues to significantly contribute to drastic breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.  In just the last three years your donations have allowed us to fund more than $30 million in Australian cancer research projects which will see real breakthroughs in treatment, prevention and diagnosis. 

Foundation funding has already made a real difference to the quality of life to patients with cancer. ACRF funds have supported the discovery of new ways to detect and treat various types of cancers, which have in turn helped to improve cancer survival rates. Our funded research, for example, kick-started Professor Ian Frazer and his team on their way to discovering the global breakthrough vaccine for cervical cancer this year, and it has led to improved survival rates in breast cancer patients;  other projects have given us a a clearer understanding of the characteristics that cause tumours to form and to grow.

However, major hurdles still remain. This year, more than 82,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. For maximum progress we have to ensure that the best and brightest researchers continue to be drawn to work on this increasingly relevant and prevalent problem.

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Every dollar of every donation received goes to cancer research

To make a credit card donation over the telephone , call 1300 884 988 from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call.