The NSW Government has invested a further $1 million into childhood brain cancer research to find new treatments that boost survival rates.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $1 million will support life-saving work carried out by NSW initiative, the Zero Childhood Cancer program, and builds on the $5.63 million awarded to the program in 2015.
“Sadly, cancer kills more children than any other disease. Every child death is a tragedy and is absolutely devastating for the entire family,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We want to do all we can to help these children beat brain cancer and live longer. This is one of the most exciting childhood cancer research initiatives in Australia.”
The investment by the NSW Government follows its joint $41 million ProCan announcement with the Commonwealth Government earlier this week to expand cancer research. Funding for the Zero Childhood Cancer program will help train the next generation of molecular neuro-oncologists to find new and innovative treatments.
The Zero Childhood Cancer program, jointly run by the Children’s Cancer Institute and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, offers Australia’s first ever personalised medicine program for children with high-risk or relapsed cancer.
The extra funding will support the program’s launch of INFORM 2, a novel immunotherapy trial.
The Zero Childhood Cancer program works with the Federal Government’s $100 million Australian Brain Cancer Mission to double survival rates for people with brain cancer and improve their quality of life.
Paediatrio, a joint venture between the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Children’s Cancer Institute and Children’s Medical Research Institute, welcomed the contribution towards the Zero Childhood Cancer program.
Kylie Gwynne, Executive Officer of Paediatrio, said three children and adolescents die every week as a result of childhood cancer.
“Childhood cancer has different causes to adult cancer, and occurs in different forms. This funding will help deliver the best possible outcomes for these children.”