Victoria’s new world-class consortium promises to transform research into childhood cancer.
Medical Research Minister Ben Carroll in October announced the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium would be established thanks to $35 million from the State Government and $10 million from the Children’s Cancer Foundation.
“Kids should be enjoying their childhood, not confined to a hospital bed,” Mr Carroll said.
“This new consortium will revolutionise cancer research and treatment to give them the best chance to grow up happy, healthy, and cancer-free.”
He said our world-class researchers would deliver lifesaving treatments and potentially cures to improve the lives of children around the world.
Children Cancer Foundation CEO Margaret Fitzherbert said the announcement was “a very special moment for us as parents and supporters of people impacted by childhood cancer”.
“We are humbled by the extraordinary leaders and scientists that have joined us in the quest for better, kinder treatments and by the generous support of the Victorian Government,” she said.
Former Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre executive Dr Udani Reets will lead the consortium as CEO.
“By driving advancements in care, we will not only position Victoria as a global powerhouse in paediatric oncology, but also improve outcomes for children affected by cancer worldwide,” Dr Reets said.
Former Federal Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy will chair a board of six directors.
The consortium has brought together the best and brightest minds from leading children’s hospitals, research institutes, and universities to undertake cutting-edge research to tackle childhood cancer.
More than 1000 children in Australia are diagnosed with cancer every year and more than 100 children lose their battle.
The State Government investment includes $2.2 million to launch the consortium’s initial program of work.
This includes ‘biobanking’ biological specimens at the Monash Children’s and Royal Children’s Hospitals, critical to research, clinical trials, and developing innovative therapies.
It will also fund the Next Generation Precision Medicine Program at the Hudson Institute, using cutting-edge artificial intelligence to discover new treatments for paediatric cancer.
