- Published:
- Monday 25 October 2021
A new centre backed by the Victorian Government is leading the nation’s fight against brain cancer and bringing fresh hope to brain cancer patients and their families.
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a $16 million investment in The Brain Cancer Centre to forge new frontiers in brain cancer research that will significantly improve treatments and outcomes for patients now and for future generations.
Brain cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease and has the lowest survival rates of almost any cancer, with four out of every five patients dying within five years of diagnosis.
Founded by Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer and established in partnership with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, The Brain Cancer Centre has now attracted $36 million in funding and will bring together a multidisciplinary team of experts whose sole focus is to make rapid progress in the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer.
The funding will help deliver the globally unique Brain Perioperative Clinical Trial Program (Brain-POP), to improve brain cancer diagnosis and prognosis for paediatric, adolescent and adult patients. The trial will run over four years, providing hope for those diagnosed with primary brain cancer and brain metastases.
For patients like Nicole Fenton, a 42-year-old mother of two living with a non-curable form of brain cancer, the Centre provides hope that research can help everyone affected by brain cancer.
The new Centre will position Victoria at the forefront of brain cancer research and builds on existing strengths in health and biomedical research.
In the past year the Government has invested more than $590 million in medical research – including up to $400 million for a new Australian Institute of Infectious Disease to lead the fight against future pandemics – and allocated $50 million for mRNA Victoria to develop the state’s mRNA manufacturing capability.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“For patients and their families, we simply must find more effective treatments for brain cancers – that’s what this new centre is all about.”
“Carrie has created something very special in Greg’s memory, and in doing so is giving hope to people impacted by brain cancer now and into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford
“Everyone has been touched by a cancer diagnosis and this is about providing some hope and certainty.”
“Survival rates haven’t changed in 30 years and we urgently need to find more effective and curative treatments, and as a global leader in cancer care and medical research, Victoria is perfectly positioned to lead this ground-breaking work.”
Quote attributable to founder of Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Carrie Bickmore
“We want every Australian diagnosed with brain cancer to have access to the best possible outcome and The Brain Cancer Centre, which is only possible because of the generosity of everyday Australians, is making that a reality.”
Quote attributable to Walter and Eliza Hall Institute director Professor Doug Hilton
“The Brain Cancer Centre is helping us to attract the best and brightest talent and build our local capabilities in brain cancer research to make the discoveries that will have a real impact on brain cancer patients, now and in the future.”
Quote attributable to brain cancer patient Nicole Fenton
“It’s absolutely essential to do whatever we can to further the research and treatment of brain cancer and I’m so excited and grateful that steps are finally being taken to address this disease which has affected me and my family.”