Children's Cancer Institute

Children's Cancer Institute is an Australian medical research institute wholly dedicated to the prevention and treatment of childhood cancer.[1] Established in 1976, the Institute is affililiated with both the University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital and is located in Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales.

Children's Cancer Institute
MottoCuring childhood cancer. It's not if. It's when.
Established1976 (1976)
MissionTranslational medical research
FocusChildhood cancer
Executive DirectorMichelle Haber AM
FacultyUniversity of New South Wales
Adjunct facultySydney Children's Hospital
Staffapprox. 200
Location
Level 5, C25 Lowy Cancer Research Centre, High Street, Randwick
,
Sydney
,
New South Wales
,
Australia
Coordinates33°55′00″S 151°14′08″E
Websiteccia.org.au

The Institute's vision is to save the lives of all children with cancer and improve the quality of life for survivors. It has been led by Professor Michelle Haber AM since its establishment.[1]

History

In 1975, Jack Kasses and John Lough met in the waiting room of Sydney Children's Hospital 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 Haber, who is now the Executive Director, Murray Norris AM, now the Deputy Director, and Maria Kavallaris, now Program Head, Tumour Biology & Targeting.

Research focus

The Institute is grouped into four main research units focused on the prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and include understanding childhood cancer, improving diagnosis, finding better treatments, and improving life after cancer.

Achievements
  • Launched Zero Childhood Cancer program for the most serious cases of infant, childhood and adolescent cancer[3]
  • Researchers showed a recently developed drug to have potential against an aggressive subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia[4]
  • 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]
  • Opened a new international clinical trial for aggressive relapsed neuroblastoma[6]
  • A novel test developed that doubled the survival rate from 35 per cent to 70 per cent for high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia[7][8]

Fundraising initiatives

The Institute undertakes a range of fundraising initiatives including 'Build for a Cure', where a newly-constructed and fully furnished home in Glenmore Park was sold at auction in 2014 for A$783,000. Scott Cam was an ambassador for the initiative.[9][10][11]

The Institute is also the beneficiary of many events held annually throughout Australia.[12][13][14][15]

See also

References
  1. "Our purpose". Children's Cancer Institute. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  2. "Annual Report 2014-2015" (PDF). The Apex Foundation. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2015.
  3. Alexander, H (2 September 2015). "Australian-first program aims to eliminate childhood cancer deaths". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  4. Corderoy, A (10 July 2015). "New drug brings hope for child leukaemia patients". The Age. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. "Australian scientists make discovery that could stop neuroblastoma, the worst childhood cancer" (radio program). ABC Radio. Sydney. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  6. Dunlevy, S (1 September 2014). "Rejected drug now helps kids". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. p. 12.
  7. "Seven News at 4:30". Channel 7 (television program). Sydney. 12 March 2013.
  8. Davey, M (13 March 2013). "Genetic research doubles leukaemia survival rate". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 14.
  9. "A Current Affair". A Current Affair (television program). Sydney. 27 October 2014. Nine Network.
  10. Clark, C (16 October 2014). "Stars help build for a cure". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  11. Georgopoulos, M (27 October 2014). "Build for a Cure home in Glenmore Park goes for $783,000 at auction". News.com.au. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  12. "Breakfast with Michael Clarke". ABC North Queensland (radio program). Townsville. 23 July 2015.
  13. King, R (26 March 2015). "Diving in to help sick kids". Mosman Daily. p. 22.
  14. Mayoh, L (17 October 2015). "Fun in fighting the good fight". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. p. 3.
  15. Tarbert, K (5 June 2015). "Heroism shown by Zoe in disease fight inspires mum to run". Penrith Press. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
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