My Room Children’s Charity creates cancer research laboratory
By Rob Clancy, staff writer
It takes a rare kind of commitment to conquer children’s cancers, and that is exactly what’s been made by My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, with the establishment of an Australian first for childhood cancer research.
Thanks to an extraordinary funding commitment, Hudson Institute of Medical Research will be home to the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Fellowship and Laboratory.
The five-year, $2.25 million children’s cancer research fellowship will fund the establishment of a dedicated My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Laboratory at Hudson Institute, with childhood cancer specialist Associate Professor Jason Cain the inaugural My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Fellow.
My Room’s CEO, Margaret Zita OAM, said the organisation was proud to be able to create something new in the fight against childhood cancer.
“Over the past 30 years, My Room has been at the forefront of the fight against childhood cancer, raising over $33 million to empower patients and their families. Our commitment extends beyond immediate support; we are dedicated to enhancing the long-term effects of current treatments. Each funding decision we make is fuelled by our dedication to creating lasting impact in treatment and outcomes” she said.
My Room charity funds cutting-edge children’s cancer research
“Hudson Institute and A/Prof Cain have a long and impressive record of cutting-edge research into difficult to treat paediatric connective tissue cancers (sarcomas) and brain cancers – we know this investment will pay dividends for children affected by cancer, and their families, for years to come.” said Ms Zita.
A/Prof Cain joined Hudson Institute of Medical Research in 2010, was appointed Head of the Developmental and Cancer Biology laboratory in 2014 and was recently appointed Deputy Head of the Centre for Cancer Research at Hudson Institute.
At the forefront of child sarcoma research, he also recently became a Director on the Board of the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA).
“I am proud and humble to receive the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Fellowship,” he said. “I am excited by what we can achieve for childhood cancer with this major funding support, and also by my new role as a My Room ambassador.”
Hudson Institute’s Director and CEO, Professor Elizabeth Hartland, said the Fellowship is recognition of A/Prof Cain’s standing in his field, and Hudson’s Institute’s position as a global leader in childhood cancer research.
“As co-leader of the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium (VPCC), Hudson Institute is working every day toward new breakthroughs in the treatment of childhood cancers. Our Next Generation Precision Medicine Program and the Childhood Cancer Model Atlas give us the systems and people to do great things in this area,” Prof Hartland said.
Childhood cancer facts
- One in five children diagnosed with cancer will not survive.
- Most of those who do will suffer long-term disability from the toxic treatments.
- Cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death among Australian children.
- Despite many years of research, survival rates from some cancers have hardly improved.
In the last four decades, 500 drugs for adult cancers were approved in the US, but only 12 were approved to treat childhood cancers.
Great Australian childhood cancer scientists
“We are thrilled to be working with My Room Children’s Cancer Charity to support great Australian scientists dedicated to childhood cancer research. This generous support helps us to continue our fight to improve survival and outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer I congratulate Jason Cain on this announcement,” she said.
Professor Ron Firestein, Head of Hudson Institute’s Centre for Cancer Research, welcomed the Fellowship.
“Survival rates for children diagnosed with sarcoma have remained stagnant for decades, and standard treatment often leaves children with lifelong adverse effects,” Prof Firestein said. “With the support of My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, A/Prof Cain’s lab is aiming to change that.”
“Through clinical research and discovery projects, they will enhance therapeutic strategies to reduce toxicities and refine prediction for personalised patient management.”
“We are deeply grateful for the invaluable support provided by My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, which enables us to pursue groundbreaking research to improve outcomes for children battling cancer and their families,” he said.
Meet Eli: childhood cancer survivor and inspiration to researchers
Eli Mohibi endured 501 days of chemotherapy before he had even turned three, but to look at him you would never know it.
Eli was just 16 months old when he went from being a happy, healthy boy to beginning chemo in the space of a week – discomfort on Monday, a trip to emergency on Thursday after discovering a lump, and by Sunday he’d been diagnosed and booked in to start treatment the following day.
Eli had an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (soft tissue cancer) in his bladder, and the treatment was harrowing, but almost five years later he remains cancer-free, with his whole life ahead of him.
His mother Nelly knows who to thank for it: “Medical professionals – scientists like Jason – they’re all just superheroes in my eyes!”
After all they’ve been through together, Nelly sees the bright side: “It’s been a big journey, but the best part is that he doesn’t remember it,” she said.
About My Room Children’s Cancer Charity
At My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, we’re on a mission to fight childhood cancer with all we’ve got. We’re a volunteer-led charity that understands the devastating impact of cancer on families. Our goal is to bring hope and respite to Australian families affected by this disease.
We believe that every child deserves a fighting chance, so we work tirelessly to raise funds for holistic support. From financial assistance through our Samaritan Fund to high-quality clinical care and innovative medical research, trials and equipment, we want to give children the best possible chance of beating cancer.
Every dollar counts, and that’s why we raise funds ethically and cost-effectively. At least 95 per cent of every donated dollar goes directly towards supporting children with cancer and their families. We hold a deductible gift recipient status (DGR1). We’re also registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
To learn more, please visit: www.myroom.com.au
This research was supported by | My Room Children’s Cancer Charity
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