Skin Cancer Prevention – Promising Results Posted on May 22, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A study by researchers at Brisbane’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has revealed some very promising statistics about one of Australia’s most deadly cancers – Melanoma. With an estimated 12,000 people diagnosed with melanoma in 2012 it is Australia’s third most common cancer type. The study, which analysed melanoma cases among 15 to 24 year olds in Queensland from 1982 to 2010, has shown there has been a five per cent a year decline among teenagers and young adults developing the disease from the mid-1990s to 2010. Additionally, for people aged 20 to 24, the rate has fallen from 25 cases per 100,000 in 1996 to 14 per 100,000 in 2010. Continue reading “Skin Cancer Prevention – Promising Results”
ACRF welcomes distinguished scientist and businessman, Dr. Ian Brown, as new CEO Posted on May 18, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Today we are very excited to announce the appointment of distinguished scientist and businessman, Dr Ian Brown, as the new leader of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Dr Brown will succeed long-serving CEO David Brettell who retires from ACRF on 10 July 2014. Dr. Brown was the former CEO and Managing Director of the highly successful Clover Corporation, which focused on bio-delivery systems for nutritionally important ingredients and which is publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Chairman of the ACRF, Mr. Tom Dery said, “Dr. Brown comes to us with considerable international experience. His business acumen will help take ACRF to another level and we’re tremendously excited by the potential to further accelerate our contribution to world-class cancer research. We look forward to building on our crucial role in funding scientific breakthroughs of the future” Continue reading “ACRF welcomes distinguished scientist and businessman, Dr. Ian Brown, as new CEO”
New leader for top Australian cancer research funding body Posted on May 14, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has appointed distinguished scientist and businessman Dr. Ian Brown as its new Chief Executive. ACRF’s research grants, which will top the $100 million mark this year, have provided Australia’s best cancer scientists with the technologies, equipment and infrastructure needed to speed up discoveries and stay at the forefront of medical research. ACRF Chairman Tom Dery said the foundation was thrilled to welcome Dr Brown who is currently an adjunct professor at Flinders University in Adelaide and special visiting professor at the University of Colorado in the US. Continue reading “New leader for top Australian cancer research funding body”
#NoMakeUpSelfie campaign for cancer research Posted on March 21, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit In just a few days we were overwhelmed with support for the #NoMakeUpSelfie campaign for cancer research. The power of social media is incredible! In just over a week the #NoMakeUpSelfie supporters helped raise over $25,000 for cancer research in Australia! The #NoMakeUpSelfie campaign for cancer research was one of the biggest viral social media campaigns for 2014. Women all over the world are posting makeup-free selfies online with the hashtag #nomakeupselfie, before making a donation to cancer research, and spreading the word by nominating their friends to do the same. The campaign started over in the UK with Cancer Research UK using the movement to raise vital dollars for cancer research – and now it has reached Australian shores! Continue reading “#NoMakeUpSelfie campaign for cancer research”
70% of cancer patients have new hope through WEHI discovery Posted on January 9, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A discovery led by Australian researchers at Melbourne’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) has given new hope to those suffering from certain types of lymphomas as well as other types of blood cancers and some solid tumours. For these types of cancers, which are driven by a cancer-causing protein, ‘MYC’, Dr Gemma Kelly, Dr Marco Herold, Professor Andreas Strasser and their research team at WEHI have uncovered a promising treatment strategy. MYC affects up to 70 per cent of human cancers, including many leukaemias and lymphomas. It is responsible for cancerous changes in cells by forcing them into abnormally rapid growth. But the WEHI research team have discovered that MYC activity is co-dependent on another protein, called MCL-1. Continue reading “70% of cancer patients have new hope through WEHI discovery”
$8.4 Million in funding for some of the best cancer research innovations in Australia! Posted on December 4, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation has acknowledged the promising future of cancer research in Australia, announcing $8.4million in grants to progress the work of four of the country’s most innovative research initiatives. In an exciting first, the $8.4m will be shared between research teams from four separate Australian states. The funding will provide each research team with state-of-the-art technologies and facilities, the scope of which have the potential to make significant discoveries in the understanding and management of cancer. CEO of the ACRF, David Brettell says “Never before have we so many such world-class proposals for cancer research, with applications for our grants this year totalling almost $50 million.” Continue reading “$8.4 Million in funding for some of the best cancer research innovations in Australia!”
Giving regular charity donations through workplace giving! Posted on November 19, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit One in two men and one in three women in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Each of us is keen to do our part to prevent both our loved ones and ourselves from facing this terrible disease, but often life gets in the way of us sitting down to make a donation. Workplace Giving is one way to get around this. It’s a simple way for working Australians to make a big difference to cancer research via regular charity donations that are deducted from your payroll, before tax. Employees can therefore enjoy an immediate tax benefit, while their regular charity donations work hard to make an important difference to our ability to fund cancer research. Continue reading “Giving regular charity donations through workplace giving!”
Millions in funding unveiled for Australia’s best cancer research innovations Posted on November 12, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has announced the recipients of their annual Cancer Research Grants, collectively awarding $8.4m towards the newest innovations in Australian cancer research. In its quest to beat cancer, the ACRF has awarded almost $95m to Australian cancer research institutes, making it the largest private funding body for cancer research in Australia. Continue reading “Millions in funding unveiled for Australia’s best cancer research innovations”
Cancer research foundation funds new treatment centre Posted on November 6, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute has secured a $2 million grant from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation for a new cancer treatment centre in Brisbane. The agreement between ACRF and UQDI for the Diamantina Individualised Oncology Care Centre (DIOCC) will mean improved research opportunities and outcomes for cancer patients. The centre will be based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Translational Research Institute. Continue reading “Cancer research foundation funds new treatment centre”
New therapy in trial minimises side effects for leukaemia patients Posted on October 17, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Australian researchers are trialing a drug which could bring new hope to people fighting adult leukaemia. This drug, known as KB004, targets a protein which is only found in cancerous stem cells. It is undetectable on normal cells, so when the therapy is administered, it targets only cancerous cells, minimising side effects. A team of Australian collaborators from ACRF-funded research institutes, including Dr. Martin Lackmann of Monash University, Melbourne; Dr. Andrew Boyd of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, and Dr. Andrew Scott of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, realised the potential of this protein – called EphA3 – as a drug target some years ago and successfully tested an antibody in their laboratories. The drug KB004 has since been developed from this antibody, and clinical trials have commenced. Continue reading “New therapy in trial minimises side effects for leukaemia patients”
Cancer researchers find prostate cancer “Achilles Heel” and move closer to a new treatment Posted on October 15, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit An international group of scientists from Australia and Canada are getting closer to a new treatment for prostate cancer that works by starving tumours of an essential nutrient. Dr Jeff Holst from Sydney’s Centenary Institute, and his colleagues from Adelaide, Brisbane and Vancouver have shown they can slow the growth of prostate cancer by stopping the protein ‘leucine’ from being pumped into tumour cells. Leucine is involved in cell division and making proteins. It ‘feeds’ cell growth by being pumped through ‘protein pumps’ on the surface of our cells. In 2011, Dr Holst and his colleagues showed that prostate cancer cells have more ‘protein pumps’ on their surface compared with normal cells. These pumps are allowing the cancer cell to take in more leucine, thereby stimulating overactive cell division. Continue reading “Cancer researchers find prostate cancer “Achilles Heel” and move closer to a new treatment”
Top Australian researchers bid for ACRF grants Posted on October 15, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Millions of dollars in ACRF funding will soon be awarded to Australia’s top cancer research teams, with this week heralding our final stage of assessments. Today and tomorrow, lead researchers from five shortlisted institutes will meet with the ACRF’s esteemed Advisory Committee (which is chaired by Professor Ian Frazer AC) for the final interviews which will ultimately determine the successful research teams. Shortlisted applicants include two institutes from Sydney: the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, and the Children’s Medical Research Institute, as well as the QIMR Berghofer Cancer Research Institute in Brisbane, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide, and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Melbourne. Continue reading “Top Australian researchers bid for ACRF grants”
Aussie researchers find genetic cause to the most common form of childhood cancer Posted on September 23, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Australian researchers have uncovered the first ever genetic marker specific to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer. Cancer scientists at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) and Sydney Children’s Hospital, along with a worldwide team of researchers, discovered the genetic link by studying families in which multiple cases of ALL have been diagnosed. Dr David Ziegler, Clinical Research Fellow at CCIA, paediatric oncologist at Sydney Children’s Hospital and lead Australian author of the research paper said, “Leukaemia cells often contain many different genetic mutations, making it difficult to detect which ones actually cause the leukaemia.” Continue reading “Aussie researchers find genetic cause to the most common form of childhood cancer”
PepsiCo ‘Can Do’ dinner a fantastic success! Posted on September 12, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit PepsiCo staff recently came together again for their annual trivia fundraising night for cancer research – an event which was, this year, called the “Can Do Dinner”. The trivia night marked the end of a whole month of fundraising, in which PepsiCo asked their staff: “What can you do to support cancer research”? They rallied around a number of internal activities, including a team effort in the fearsome Tough Bloke challenge. Continue reading “PepsiCo ‘Can Do’ dinner a fantastic success!”
‘Can Do’ Corporate Roadshows Kick-off in Melbourne! Posted on September 9, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The very first ACRF ‘Can Do’ Roadshow took place at Lion last week with great success! One hundred Lion staff members attended the special, inaugural event to listen to an ACRF Ambassador panel of four amazing Aussie personalities. Together, they inspired the room in discussions about their dreams, achievements, and their personal experiences with cancer. The star studded panel consisted of NBL great, Andrew Gaze; former Olympian and Order of Australia Medallist, Nicole Livingstone; former Olympian and CEO of Basketball Australia, Larry Sengstock and Olympic bronze-medallist in rowing, Margot Foster. Continue reading “‘Can Do’ Corporate Roadshows Kick-off in Melbourne!”
Millions in private funding for top cancer research projects in Australia Posted on June 21, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Five of the best cancer research projects in the world stand to receive millions of dollars in funding, following the Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s announcement today of its shortlist for 2013 research grants. From twelve research proposals, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has shortlisted five for further assessment as a result of the world-class standard of proposed works, and the significant potential for this research to achieve major breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. Continue reading “Millions in private funding for top cancer research projects in Australia”
Our shortlist of the most innovative cancer research projects in Australia Posted on June 20, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The ACRF is very excited with the quality of the five shortlisted applications for our grants in 2013. Some of the very best researchers in the world feature in these applications. These final five applications represent a need for more than $20 million in advanced technologies and facilities. They cover many types of cancer, not just one or two. Our highly esteemed Medical Research Advisory Committee selected these particular projects for further review on two grounds – the world-class standard of the proposed research, and the potential to achieve major breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. That committee, led by Professor Ian Frazer, will now, through a detailed interview process, recommend to our Board the best of the best for ACRF funding. The final awardees will be publicly announced on 13 November this year. Every dollar we receive in donations this year will go to research that has the power to beat cancer. Please peruse the below, to find out where ACRF donations could be making a difference very soon. Continue reading “Our shortlist of the most innovative cancer research projects in Australia”
Two new ACRF facilities in Melbourne will help fast-track discoveries Posted on May 16, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation has opened two new world-class cancer research facilities in Melbourne; the new ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre at St Vincent’s Institute (SVI) and a new Cancer Imaging Facility at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. These centres represent $4 million in Australian Cancer Research Foundation funding that would not have been made possible without the support of our amazing donors. The potential for ground breaking discoveries within these world-class facilities is extremely exciting. Each of them houses the latest in advanced drug screening and imaging technologies, promising to find new treatment targets and therapeutic options faster than ever before. Please find details about each cancer research facility below. Continue reading “Two new ACRF facilities in Melbourne will help fast-track discoveries”
Australia’s best researchers request $49M from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, as the government commits to a boost in cancer care. Posted on May 15, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation is proud to have received 13 world-class cancer research grant applications after submissions for 2013 closed last Friday. The applications represent a need for $49 million in seed-funding for cutting-edge technologies and facilities, supporting the development of collaborative, innovative cancer research initiatives. Every year, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation awards up to $10 million in cancer research funding. But this response to our grants shows just how important it is for us to continue fundraising and building the profile of research in Australia. We received five applications from researchers in NSW, four from Victoria, three from Queensland and one from South Australia – it’s fantastic to see the research expertise within so many States represented in this mix. Continue reading “Australia’s best researchers request $49M from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, as the government commits to a boost in cancer care.”
Tassie firies rally together to help fight cancer Posted on May 9, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit After more than a year of planning, fundraising, and physical training, the Headin’ South for a Cure initiative has today reached its climax with a most generous donation of almost $48,000 to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation! The team of 10 fire fighters from Tasmania, led by co-founders Emma Weitnauer and Tim McKay, campaigned for all of last year in the lead-up to a heroic 14 day cycle; starting in Brisbane and ‘headin south’ to Hobart. They set out on January 1st, taking no rest days and battling extreme weather conditions (some days reaching 48 degrees with strong, head on winds and extreme – sometimes catastrophic – fire danger ratings). They averaged more than 160km a day, arriving home on Jan 14th! Major sponsor Bendigo Bank were behind the team the whole way, supporting fundraising initiatives and collecting donations to help fight cancer along with the fire-fighters. Today, we have received the full fundraising amount, and we couldn’t be more proud of this incredible team! Continue reading “Tassie firies rally together to help fight cancer”
Aussie researchers' ‘magic bullet’ gives new hope to children who relapse from blood cancer Posted on May 3, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Cancer scientists at the prestigious Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) have discovered that an existing drug being trialled for adult cancer treatment also has the potential to treat children who relapse from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), one of the most common types of paediatric blood cancers. The current survival rate for children diagnosed with the ALL is 80 per cent, however if a child relapses this survival rate decreases to just 20 per cent. “What is so exciting about this drug is it has the potential to not only improve the survival rate of children who have relapsed but, since it acts as a ‘magic bullet’, it only targets the cancer cells, leaving the healthy cells untouched!” explains Professor Lock, Head of the Leukaemia Biology Program at CCIA. Dr David Ziegler, paediatric oncologist with the Sydney Children’s Hospital, said “Our patients and their parents can’t afford to wait years to have new treatments developed. We plan to start a clinical trial of this new therapy for children with leukaemia by the end of this year.” Continue reading “Aussie researchers' ‘magic bullet’ gives new hope to children who relapse from blood cancer”
Vaccine decreases pre-cancerous symptoms in Aussie women by 93% Posted on April 23, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Researchers have reported an incredible 93% drop in genital wart diagnoses (symptoms of the human papillomavirus) in young women who have received the HPV, or cervical cancer, vaccine. The vaccine, co-created by Professor Ian Frazer AC (whose research was supported by an early ACRF seed-funding grant), became available for Australian girls in 2007. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of NSW and the University of Melbourne together with both the Sydney and Melbourne Centres of Sexual Health, looked at the medical data of 85,770 patients during pre-vaccination period (2004-2007) compared to the vaccination period (2007-2011). Continue reading “Vaccine decreases pre-cancerous symptoms in Aussie women by 93%”
Triple-Negative Breast cancer stopped in its tracks with new treatment trial Posted on April 19, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research have run early studies of a new combination of treatments for breast cancer, with 100% success rate. The treatment targets late-stage triple negative breast cancers, for which the average survival rate is only 12 months. This type of cancer is most common in young women and accounts for approximately 20% of breast cancer cases in Australia. Unlike other cancer cells, triple negative breast cancers don’t have any of the three usual surface receptors, which would normally be the target of treatment. But this latest treatment trial shows that targeting radiation specifically to an overload of proteins (known as EGFR) together with a dramatically reduced dose of chemotherapy is effective in stopping both the cancer growth, and its recurrence. Continue reading “Triple-Negative Breast cancer stopped in its tracks with new treatment trial”
ACRF grant rounds open, funding research into all types of cancer Posted on April 2, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The ACRF is once again inviting world-class research teams and collaborations to apply for between $1.5 and $5 million in ACRF research funding. Every year we provide major grants to help cutting-edge cancer research institutes develop state-of-the-art facilities, and purchase advanced technologies and equipment that speed up cancer discoveries. No other private research funding body in Australia provides grants as large as these; and these grants help to fund research in Australia that has the power to make significant breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Continue reading “ACRF grant rounds open, funding research into all types of cancer”
Up to $10 million in cancer research funding available through the Australian Cancer Research Foundation Posted on April 2, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has begun accepting applications for their 2013 annual Cancer Research Grant Round. The ACRF provides major grants between $1.5 and $5 million to develop state-of-the-art, collaborative research centres and purchase advanced technologies and equipment. Grants of this magnitude are not available from any other private funding body in Australia. Continue reading “Up to $10 million in cancer research funding available through the Australian Cancer Research Foundation”
50% increase in ACRF funding applications an endorsement of no budget cuts Posted on May 11, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) is thrilled that funding to medical research through the NHMRC will be maintained in the 2011/2012 budget. “It is wonderful to see the government recognise the vital need for continued investment in medical research in Australia,” said ACRF Chief Executive, David Brettell. “It would have been a huge shame to interrupt the momentum of such vital research initiatives.” To highlight the growing need for research dollars, ACRF has just received grant applications totaling $50 million. These grants provide seed funding to leading cancer research institutes across Australia. Continue reading “50% increase in ACRF funding applications an endorsement of no budget cuts”
ACRF concerned over potential cuts to cancer funding Posted on April 13, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit ACRF urges the government to re-think any planned cuts to medical research funding. “We’re puzzled,” said the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Chief Executive, David Brettell, “Take away research funds and it’ll be no surprise when great science slows, researchers either change jobs or head overseas, and patients unnecessarily suffer when they can’t access fast, effective treatments.” ACRF recognises the vital need for continued, strong investment in medical research, so much so that it has set out to double its own cancer research funding over the next five years. Continue reading “ACRF concerned over potential cuts to cancer funding”
Help fund the research of today that will help the cancer patients of tomorrow Posted on December 10, 2010November 16, 2022 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) wants to fund even more groundbreaking cancer research and is aiming to raise $750,000 in its 2010 Christmas Appeal, says the Foundation’s Chief Executive David Brettell. Continue reading “Help fund the research of today that will help the cancer patients of tomorrow”
PepsiCo supports cancer research Posted on December 9, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit One of our most active sponsors and fundraisers, our friends at PepsiCo Australia & New Zealand, visited the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) recently to present a cheque for over $12,000 for cancer research. This generous contribution represents donations collected at an event hosted by PepsiCo and The Smith’s Snackfood Company employees, in honour of much-loved team member Agnes Connell who lost her battle with cancer in August 2009. Continue reading “PepsiCo supports cancer research”
ACRF to announce 2010 grant recipients Posted on June 1, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit With the final review of the shortlisted applicants for Australian Cancer Research Foundation’s (ACRF) multi-million dollar grant program, the Foundation is set to announce the 2010 grant recipients in just one week. All grant applications received by the Foundation are reviewed by the ACRF’s Medical Research Advisory Committee (MRAC) whose members are scientists of the highest national and global repute. This leading Australian scientific committee make recommendations to the ACRF Board of Trustees after a rigorous review process. Assessment of applications is made by independent expert assessors, as well as an inspection of sites where grants will be applied to fund laboratories and house equipment. The ACRF will announce the 2010 grant recipients on Thursday 25 November. Continue reading “ACRF to announce 2010 grant recipients”
Runway success for fashion and cancer research Posted on July 1, 2009February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Edwina Hunter chose Manly’s International College of Management, as the stunning venue for Runway for Research, a glamorous fashion auction held to raise money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) and the first event for ACRF’s newest committee in Sydney. The night was themed ‘Christmas in July’, with over 90 guests attending, including guest speaker ACRF Chief Executive, David Brettell and ACRF Fundraising Program Coordinator, Cathy McGough. [nggallery id=26] Continue reading “Runway success for fashion and cancer research”
