Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation Trustee, Peter Lamb, with The Kids cancer researcher and clinician, Dr Rishi Kotecha.
Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation has announced it will provide $1.05 million of funding to The Kids Research Institute Australia.
The funding will support the The Kids Cancer Centre’s vital research aimed at improving survival rates, longevity and quality of life for children with cancer.
“At Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation we believe every child deserves a chance at a healthy life,” Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation Chairperson John Thorpe said. “We are very proud to be providing $1.05 million worth of funding to The Kids.”
Chair of The Kids Research Institute Australia, the Hon. Julie Bishop, said they are excited to be partnering with such a well-respected, community-oriented organisation like Lions Australia.
“We are so grateful for Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation’s support,” Ms Bishop said. “This $1.05 million in funding will enable the The Kids Cancer Centre to continue its leading research into childhood cancer – particularly in the area of cancer immunotherapy, which focuses on supercharging the body’s natural defences to destroy cancer cells.”
Mr Thorpe described cancer immunotherapy as one of the most exciting and promising cancer treatments being developed, particularly for childhood cancer.
“It is our hope that this work will benefit kids all over Australia and beyond,” he said. “More than 800 children aged 0-14 years are diagnosed with cancer in Australia each year. Many of these cancers are aggressive and hard to treat and we are losing too many young lives.
“Although survival rates have improved greatly for some, most cancers take a toll on young people’s lives and often side effects of treatment can be serious and lifelong.
“The Kids Cancer Centre’s research into cancer immunotherapy is focused on finding ways to help these children’s immune systems fight cancer cells. This will be revolutionary in the treatment of childhood cancer.”
Professor Terrance Johns, Head of the The Kids Cancer Centre, said that as one of Australia’s only comprehensive, paediatric cancer immunotherapy centre, the The Kids Cancer Centre was making its mark on medical research.
“The Centre is on a mission to prevent paediatric disease and improve the wellbeing of children with cancer. We bring together leading researchers and oncologists focused on developing therapies that destroy cancer cells, while minimising the side effects to children’s short- and long-term health,” Professor Johns said.
The $1.05 million of funding to The Kids Research Institute Australia builds on the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation’s long history in supporting leading and innovative research into childhood cancer.