The NSW Government have announced a further investment of $1 million into the Zero Childhood Cancer program.
The Hon. Brad Hazzard, Minister for Health and, Minister for Medical Research 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.
Zero Childhood Cancer is headed by Professor Michelle Haber at the Children’s Cancer Institute and is centred around developing Australia’s first ever personalised medicine program for children with high-risk or relapsed cancer.
To date, The Kids’ Cancer Project have committed close to $900,000 to the project and were at the forefront of funding for this innovative research.
Owen Finegan, CEO of The Kids’ Cancer Project said he was extremely pleased to learn the NSW Government put their weight behind the study.
"Like our founder, Col Reynolds, our donors have long believed that research is the only way to help the 950 children diagnosed with cancer every year,” he said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the Government stand with us as we stand up for kids with cancer."
In a press release Brad Hazzard demonstrated his heart-felt support.
"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 last week to expand cancer research.
It’s understood that the $1 million boost to Zero Childhood Cancer 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.
"The Kids’ Cancer Project will continue to fund the boldest scientific research to find treatments that have the greatest chance of clinical success,” Mr Finegan said. “We won’t give up until we achieve our vision of one hundred percent survival of children while eradicating the harmful impacts cancer treatment can bring."
The Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick is part of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.