An update from Professor Michelle Haber AM, Executive Director of Children's Cancer Institute
I hope you and your loved ones are well during this uncertain and challenging period. It’s at times like these we rely on each other more than ever and I wanted to let you know that here at the Institute, we are all thinking of you.
Sadly, we know that cancer won’t take a break, so neither can we.
This week 20 Australian families will find out their child has cancer. As the only independent medical research institute in Australia solely dedicated to childhood cancer, it is vital we carry on our critical mission of curing every child of this devastating disease.
To fulfil this mission we have made a number of changes to ensure we can continue with our life-saving research whilst protecting our team, supporters and the wider community. These measures include:
- Many of our researchers and support staff are able to continue with critical aspects of their work from home. All team members who do not need to be on-site in our labs are now working from home. Our team are in constant contact, keeping our vital operations and critical research continuing on a daily basis.
- A core team of our researchers, who need to be in the labs to ensure their work can go ahead, are continuing to access the Institute to undertake the vital research which directly affects the outcomes of children with cancer every day. This includes our Minimal Residual Disease program for children with leukaemia that allow doctors to predict and avoid relapse, which has doubled the survival rate for children with aggressive leukaemia. Also, the world-leading Zero Childhood Cancer Program that identifies targeted drugs for children with the worst cancers to improve their chance of survival. These programs and all of our research are saving children’s lives right now and are critically important to children diagnosed with cancer today and tomorrow around the country.
- Unfortunately, many of our fundraising campaigns and events have had to been cancelled or postponed in line with government recommendations. This is seriously impacting our funding which is fundamental to allowing our research to proceed. If you planned to support one of these events, or if you wish to be part of curing childhood cancer now, please consider donating at donate.ccia.org.au.
Medical research is so important. It is medical research that will help us find a vaccine for COVID-19 and build a healthier future for all of us. And one day it is medical research that will cure childhood cancer.
I want to thank you for your continued support. Our team is on hand to answer any queries you might have about our activities or general business and how we are managing to continue our research in this challenging environment:
- For general queries about the Institute, your support or events please contact info@ccia.org.au.
- For questions related to specific research and business continuity please contact me at MHaber@ccia.org.au.
At a time with so much uncertainty, I am motivated by the passion and resilience of my team here at the Institute and I am inspired by generous people like you; we will get through this challenging period together. Thank you for being part of our team as we move towards our shared vision of one day curing all kids with cancer.
Do take care and stay safe.
Very best wishes
Professor Michelle Haber AM
Executive Director
Children’s Cancer Institute
