Children's Cancer Institute
 | |
| Motto | Curing childhood cancer. It's not if. It's when. |
|---|---|
| Established | 1974 |
| Research type | Medical research |
Field of research | Childhood cancer |
| Director | Professor Michelle Haber AM |
| Address | Level 5, C25 Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Gate 9 High St, UNSW Australia NSW 2052 |
| Location | Sydney, Australia |
| Website |
ccia |
Children's Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to childhood cancer.[1] The organisation's vision is to save the lives of all children with cancer and improve the quality of life for survivors.[1]
History
In 1975, Jack Kasses and John Lough met in the waiting room of Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, where their daughter and son respectively were undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Lough approached the Apex Club in Wollongong to raise money for cancer research. They started the "Help a Kid Make It" campaign – with a target of $1 million to facilitate research into childhood cancer.[2]
The Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Foundation was established in May 1976. The foundation evolved into Children's Cancer Institute, which opened its own research laboratories in 1984.
The first scientists to join the Institute were Michelle Haber AM (now Executive Director), Murray Norris AM (now Deputy Director) and Maria Kavallaris (now Program Head, Tumour Biology & Targeting).
Research Units
- Molecular carcinogenesis
- Cancer cell development
- Cancer & stem cell biology
- Molecular diagnostics
- Minimal residual disease
- Experimental therapeutics
- Leukaemia biology
- Tumour biology & targeting
- Histone modification
- Long-term follow-up
Achievements
- Children's Cancer Institute and Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, launched Zero Childhood Cancer program for the most serious cases of infant, childhood and adolescent cancer[3]
- Children's Cancer Institute researchers showed a recently developed drug to have potential against an aggressive subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia[4]
- Children's Cancer Institute scientists identified a critical molecular 'feedback loop' that helps initiate and drive neuroblastoma, and an experimental drug with the potential to interrupt the loop and halt tumour progression[5]
- Children's Cancer Institute and Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, opened a new international clinical trial for aggressive relapsed neuroblastoma [6]
- A novel test developed at Children's Cancer Institute doubled the survival rate from 35 per cent to 70 per cent for high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [7] [8]
Fundraising campaigns
In 2014, McDonald Jones Homes, PRDnationwide Penrith, Austral Bricks, Wearn Brothers Group, AMC Commercial Cleaning, Freedom Furniture, Electrolux, Panasonic, The Lawn Ranger, Scrubb.com.au and Woolworths Supermarkets donated their products and services to construct a fully furnished house in 21 days for Children's Cancer Institute's 'Build for a Cure' fundraising campaign. The house was built in Glenmore Park, NSW and was sold at auction on 26 October 2014 for AUD $783,000.[9] These funds were donated to Children's Cancer Institute.
Scott Cam was an ambassador for the campaign.[10][11]
Fundraising events
Children's Cancer Institute is the beneficiary of many events held annually throughout Australia, to raise funds for its research into childhood cancer. These events include:
- Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride [12]
- Balmoral Swim [13]
- Balmain & Rozelle Family Fun Day [14]
- Run2Cure Neuroblastoma [15]
References
- 1 2 "Our purpose". Children's Cancer Institute.
- ↑ The Apex Foundation (2015). Annual Report 2014-2015. Retrieved from The Apex Foundation website: http://www.apexfoundation.org.au/ApexFoundation/media/Apex/News/2014-15-Annual-Report.pdf
- ↑ Alexander, H 2015 'Australian-first program aims to eliminate childhood cancer deaths', Sydney Morning Herald, 2 September, viewed 25 November 2015, <http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/australianfirst-program-aims-to-eliminate-childhood-cancer-deaths-20150901-gjcqkt.html>
- ↑ Corderoy, A 2015 'New drug brings hope for child leukaemia patients', The Age, 10 July, viewed 25 November 2015, <http://www.theage.com.au/nsw/new-drug-brings-hope-for-child-leukaemia-patients-20150709-gi8xvd.html>
- ↑ Australian scientists make discovery that could stop neuroblastoma, the worst childhood cancer 2015, radio program, ABC Radio, Sydney, 5 November, accessed 25 November 2015 <http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4345644.htm>
- ↑ Dunlevy, S 2014, 'Rejected drug now helps kids', The Daily Telegraph, 1 September, p. 12.
- ↑ Seven News at 4:30 2013, television program, Channel 7, Sydney, 12 March.
- ↑ Davey, M 2013, 'Genetic research doubles leukaemia survival rate', Sydney Morning Herald, 13 March, p. 14.
- ↑ Georgopoulos, M 2014 'Build for a Cure home in Glenmore Park goes for $783,000 at auction', News.com.au, 27 October, viewed 25 November 2015, <http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/sydney-nsw/build-for-a-cure-home-in-glenmore-park-goes-for-783000-at-auction/news-story/6da6487f8bac6dd05c69ad7329bd1076>
- ↑ A Current Affair 2014, television program, Channel 9, Sydney, 27 October.
- ↑ Clark, C 2014 'Stars help build for a cure', The Daily Telegraph, 16 October, viewed 25 November 2015 <http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/the-block-2012-winners-brad-and-lara-join-scott-cam-in-the-build-for-a-cure-project-for-the-childrens-cancer-institute/story-fni0dlbp-1227092428645>
- ↑ Breakfast with Michael Clarke 2015, radio program, ABC North Queensland, Townsville, 23 July
- ↑ King, R 2015 'Diving in to help sick kids', Mosman Daily, 26 March, p. 22.
- ↑ Mayoh, L 2015 'Fun in fighting the good fight', The Daily Telegraph, Section: Kids, 17 October, p. 3.
- ↑ Tarbert, K 2015 'Heroism shown by Zoe in disease fight inspires mum to run', Penrith Press, 5 June, viewed 2 December 2015 <http://newslocal.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?&article=75a0aaab-6156-4fd4-8321-66efcc6db86c&viewmode=2&page=8>
Coordinates: 33°55′00″S 151°14′08″E / 33.916643°S 151.235606°E