Advances in Queensland Cancer Research thanks to ACRF Posted on February 10, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) continues to build on its 25-year legacy by funding the opening of a new $2.5 million world leading cancer-imaging facility in Queensland. Since being established in 1984 by the late Sir Peter Abeles, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation has now funded more than $62 million in cutting edge cancer research with the power to change the world. The new ‘ACRF Cancer Biology Imaging Facility’, part of The Institute for Molecular Bioscience located at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, is now the most advanced facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO officially opened it on the morning of February 10. The Facility will allow IMB researchers to unravel the molecular reasons why healthy cells turn into cancerous cells and spread through the body. Continue reading “Advances in Queensland Cancer Research thanks to ACRF”
25 years of progress in Australian cancer research Posted on December 1, 2009February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit This year marked a milestone for the Foundation. 2009 was our silver anniversary; 25 years since the vision of the late Sir Peter Abeles set the Australian Cancer Research Foundation on its path of providing unprecedented multimillion-dollar private funding to cancer research in this country. ACRF’s board throughout its history – Lady (Sonia) McMahon, Sir Ian Turbott AO, CMG, CVO HonDLitt, and Mr John Boettcher AO – supported Sir Peter in his mission in the very early day’s of the Foundation. The original Medical Research Advisory Committee (MRAC) who stringently assessed applications for funding included esteemed scientist Professor Ronald Penny AO. Similarly, today’s experts on ACRF’s MRAC, headed by Professor Ian Frazer, continue to advise the ACRF’s Board of Trustees. The first grant given by ACRF was for $1 million for an Immunotherapy Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney when Immunotherapy – now a key element of our cancer knowledge bank – was very much on the fringe of mainstream research. Since that first year, the Foundation has granted over $60 million to Australian medical research teams at many of the country’s leading cancer research institutes. Those funds are used to purchase major equipment, construct research laboratories and equip cancer centres. More than two-thirds of our grants have been awarded since 2004, a reflection of the rapid progress made since the human genome was decoded and the sequencing of human DNA advanced our understanding of the relationship between genes and disease. That increase is also a reflection of the increasing generosity of the many companies, individuals and community groups who support ACRF. ACRF will continue its critical contribution to breakthrough projects; projects which increase our knowledge and result in ways to prevent cancer and in more effective treatments. Ultimately cancer will be overcome. Professor Ian Frazer, who discovered the cervical cancer vaccine, recently said of the Foundation “The ACRF provides critical funding for infrastructure support that enables our research to be competitive on an international basis.’’ Watch a recent interview with Professor Ian Frazer. In 2009 we received ten grant applications for projects that would make a difference to the lives of the one in three people who will be touched by cancer. Those applications totalled $34.8 million. As we go to press, we are working on a five-year plan to enable us to increase our income and research funding significantly over the next five years. Read about the winners of 2009 research grants We trust you will stay with us and join us in our mission to create a world free of cancer. We depend on you and are deeply grateful for your support over the last twenty-five years.
Opening of cancer research centre funded by major grant from ACRF Posted on January 29, 2009February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The vision of a maverick one-time refugee to Australia will once again pay dividends for those in the fight against cancer. The Australian Cancer Research Foundation, set up by Sir Peter Abeles, was thrilled to be present at the opening of a brand new cutting-edge facility made possible by its largest ever grant of $5 million to a consortium of leading cancer research institutes to support work in Melbourne that will bring new hope to cancer sufferers. The opening was announced in honour of Sir Peter Abeles. It is an alliance comprising the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Women’s Hospital, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and The University of Melbourne (Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences). ACRF chairman Tom Dery made the presentation at the opening of the new facility to an audience at that included the Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser, Victorian Minister for Health David Andrews, Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings, ACRF Trustees, Lady (Sonia) McMahon, Carrillo Gantner AO, Greg Camm. Dr Roby Abeles (daughter of Sir Peter Abeles), Sir Gustav Nossal and leading Cancer research scientists and workers. Continue reading “Opening of cancer research centre funded by major grant from ACRF”
Opening of cancer research centre funded by major grant from ACRF Posted on January 29, 2009February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The vision of a maverick one-time refugee to Australia will once again pay dividends for those in the fight against cancer. The Australian Cancer Research Foundation, set up by Sir Peter Abeles, was thrilled to be present at the opening of a brand new cutting-edge facility made possible by its largest ever grant of $5 million to a consortium of leading cancer research institutes to support work in Melbourne that will bring new hope to cancer sufferers. The opening was announced in honour of Sir Peter Abeles. It is an alliance comprising the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Women’s Hospital, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and The University of Melbourne (Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences). ACRF chairman Tom Dery made the presentation at the opening of the new facility to an audience at that included the Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser, Victorian Minister for Health David Andrews, Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings, ACRF Trustees, Lady (Sonia) McMahon, Carrillo Gantner AO, Greg Camm. Dr Roby Abeles (daughter of Sir Peter Abeles), Sir Gustav Nossal and leading Cancer research scientists and workers. Continue reading “Opening of cancer research centre funded by major grant from ACRF”
