Up to $20m in funding has been announced by the federal government for vital brain cancer research

On 6 February 2024, The Australian Government announced a huge funding boost for research into some of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer. The funding, which could total as much as $20m, has been welcomed by the childhood cancer research community and will help fund significant steps forward in creating effective treatments for kids with brain cancer.​

Thanks to research, the survival rate for childhood cancer has consistently risen to its high today at around 86%. It's remarkable what consistent and dedicated work can achieve. That figure is a testament to the generosity of donors funding the work and of course the life’s work of countless researchers around the world.

However, some forms of childhood cancer haven’t seen the same improvement in survival. Children’s brain cancers remain amongst the deadliest forms of cancer, with one particular form called DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) currently being incurable. For kids with DIPG, the average survival rate is currently only 11 months.

To change that and begin giving kids with DIPG and other brain cancers a better chance of survival, funding for research – like that announced by the government this week − is essential.

“Hearing that the government recognises the importance of this work, the fact they have made an initial contribution, and are standing alongside us, other charities and of course, the children, their families and communities who are affected by a kid’s diagnosis with brain cancer, is truly wonderful.

“As Mr Butler, the Minister for Health, very correctly pointed out, research is our weapon against brain cancer and we truly need bold and innovative approaches to find better treatments for the kids and their families affected by this awful disease.”

On top of that, the government’s $20m in funding over the next seven years should help to:

• Allow children with cancer access to international cancer clinical trials that are often out of reach (recognised by the Brain Cancer Mission)

• Reduce the barriers to obtaining funding for childhood cancer clinical trials

• Expand clinical trial opportunities in more hospitals, clinics and institutes across Australia

• Strengthen ANZCHOG to enhance access to international childhood cancer clinical trials to reduce the research inequality children with cancer face

• Ensure the findings from the Zero Childhood Cancer programs molecular profiling can translate to available clinical trials for children with brain cancers

A huge thank you to our incredibly generous supporters, people like you, who have enabled the millions of dollars of funding to reach brain cancer researchers so far. And of course, a big thank you to the government for their decision to support this vital research.

By making a gift, you can help support vital kids’ cancer research like Professor Matt Dun's. Make a donation today to help fund the development of lifesaving new childhood cancer treatments.