Promising new treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia Posted on June 10, 2016February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) can look forward to the development of new therapies following a discovery by cancer researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. While investigating ways to target particular types of AML, and hoping to increase the chance of a cure for the patient while limiting damage to healthy cells, the team discovered a new way to kill cells that are dangerously multiplying. A process known as apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a natural and necessary response to keep the proliferation of human cells in check. Apoptosis is interrupted in cancers, including AML, leading to unchecked cell growth. Dr. Gabriela Brumatti said traditional chemotherapies, which encourage apoptosis, have a high relapse rate. For example, within five years of completing treatment, half of AML patients suffer a relapse of their cancer, and of those who relapse, only 50 percent survive. Her team tried a ‘blue sky’ approach, inhibiting apoptosis of AML cells in order to unleash an alternative form of cell death called necroptosis. They found that the necroptosis cell death pathway was more effective at killing AML than apoptosis. In preclinical trials, they used a combination of drugs – birinapant, a new anti-cancer drug, and emricasan, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved inhibitor of apoptosis – to kill AML. “It has been speculated that inducing necroptosis might be an effective way to kill cancer cells,” said Professor Silke. “Our work now demonstrates clearly it is a clinically feasible and safe approach.” Dr. Brumatti suggested that since cancer cells often acquire resistance to traditional chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, this novel type of chemotherapy has the potential to be used to treat otherwise impossible to treat leukaemias. These findings have just been published in the research journal Science Translational Medicine. The Australian Cancer Research Foundation has supported WEHI by providing three grants, totalling AUD 5.5million towards cutting edge cancer research equipment and technology. The original news post was published on the WEHI website. Images of the research team courtesy of WEHI.
ACRF teams up with H&R Block to provide tax calculator that shows the true value of donations to cancer research Posted on June 2, 2016February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit This tax season, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has partnered with tax accountants, H&R Block to deliver an online calculator that tells individuals how much tax they will receive back from their donation, as well as exactly what their donation has the capacity to fund. The creative concept and implementation of the calculator was all thanks to pro-bono work done by M&C Saatchi’s creative team. “We hope that by being transparent and showing donors how much influence even a small donation can have on the work that’s being done in cancer research, it will help them understand how truly valuable their support is,” commented Professor Ian Brown, CEO of the ACRF. Last year, donations to the ACRF went towards equipment that is being used to further develop personalised cancer treatments, detect lung cancer before it spreads, and examine native Australian plants to see if they can be used to develop new cancer treatments. The ACRF has been a driving force behind cancer research for over 30 years. However, with success rates now less than 14 percent for applications to grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the organisation is keen to do all it can to increase the availability of vital funding. Advancements in technology are allowing researchers to analyse data like never before. But such technology is difficult to get funding for. The ACRF is the only national charity in Australia whose sole purpose is to make advanced equipment and technology more accessible to Australian cancer researchers, regardless of the type of cancer they study. This is helping prevent the best and brightest scientists from moving elsewhere or changing jobs. The support of H&R Block, as well as other corporate partners, continues to help ACRF provide the sector with the lifeline that it needs. “At H&R Block we value the health and wellbeing of all Australians, so we’re proud to assist ACRF in its goal to deliver the highest impact in an area of vital need. Too many people are suffering from the effects of cancer, so being even a small part of the solution is both humbling and gratifying,” said Brodie Dixon, managing director of H&R Block.
Remembering Rosemary Posted on September 21, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit “In the UK in 1998, my twin sister, Rosemary discovered a lump on her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 38 years old. Rosemary and her husband were busy parents with four kids – two teenagers Rachel and Tommy, an 11 year old daughter, Jenny and a 9 year old son, Sam. Her illness was extremely hard on the whole family. We felt powerless as we watched her endure so much pain and distress at the thought of leaving her children. Rosemary fought courageously and was an inspiration to her community. Her friends and neighbours rallied to support the family during their time of need. The locals made renovations to their house to make her life easier and raised money to send her on a trip to visit me in Australia. This was one of the happiest months of my life, we shared precious time reconnecting and reminiscing about our childhood. It was heart-warming to know that so many people were offering a helping hand where they could. Wednesdays became known as ‘Rosemary Day’ in the area and each week, for three whole years, a group of ladies would take her out for the day. They would visit beautiful and interesting places and then have dinner together at their favourite restaurant. After five years of suffering Rosemary sadly lost her battle on her daughter’s 11th birthday. It is now a bittersweet day for the family and each year on the anniversary the four children meet in the church garden to celebrate their mother. The two girls also “Run for Rosemary” in Mother’s Day fundraising marathons. As her twin sister I feel her loss greatly, it’s very upsetting for me knowing that she did not get to see her children grow up or meet her grandchildren. I know that Rosemary would be so proud of her family and how much they have cared for each other. Over the years, cancer has continued to touch the lives of friends and others around me. A couple of years ago my husband and I realised the importance of cancer research first hand when he was diagnosed with melanoma and took part in a research trial. He has since developed kidney cancer and is being treated with targeted immune therapy which would not have been possible a few years ago. I often think back to the time when Rosemary developed cancer and appreciate all the progress that has been made since then. I support the ACRF with a monthly donation and have left a bequest in my will. I know my donations go towards helping the ACRF fund the necessary equipment that allows researchers to make many more life-saving discoveries. I hope that together we can spare many families the heartbreak of losing their loved ones in the future.” ACRF Regular Giver of the Month, Ann Smith Learn more about becoming a regular giver. Share your story
July is Regular Giving Month! Posted on June 27, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Regular Giving Month is an opportunity for us to celebrate our regular givers, both new and long-standing, for their incredible commitment to world-class cancer research in Australia. Through their regular charity donations, this amazing group of people have together raised more than $1.3 million! For this, and for their ongoing support, we will be forever grateful: they are a vital part of our work, ensuring we are able to fund the high-quality, world-class research grant applications we receive each and every year. Together, they are speeding up new treatments and cures for cancer. One of our newest regular givers, Stephen Holyoak, joined our Partner in the Cure program because his life has been changed forever by this terrible disease. “After losing my mum to cancer far too young, I felt it was time to try and help those who are suffering today and tomorrow.” “I have been unfortunate to also see very close friends lose family members to this horrible disease.” Continue reading “July is Regular Giving Month!”
YourShare services could raise thousands for cancer research Posted on September 30, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Register your current eligible policy with YourShare.com.au this month, and $50 will be donated in your name to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. You will also go into the draw to win $1000! YourShare, Australia’s leading cash-back service provider has donated over $22,000 to ACRF in the last four years. ACRF is delighted that this supportive organisation has developed yet another scheme by which they can pass-on donations to cancer research. Continue reading “YourShare services could raise thousands for cancer research”
Thank you for supporting our tax time appeal Posted on July 1, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Thank you all… our 2010 tax time appeal was a big success for cancer research that helps save lives Last month we made an urgent call on behalf of Australian scientists and cancer sufferers for donations to support our ambitious 2010 cancer research grants program. And in response, we’ve been overwhelmed by your generosity. The Australia Cancer Research Foundation wishes to thank the individuals, organisations and community groups who rallied support for cancer research in June. When you join with us, you’re helping create an environment that allows Australia’s best researchers to dream big in the fight against cancer – to create a world where we can save lives through diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. Please accept our thanks for your dedication and support through your very generous donations, and, just as importantly, your help conveying our message to others in the community. Whether it was spreading the word to your friends, to your family, in your workplace, among your social networks, or even online, we felt your support and it has really made a big difference to this appeal. We are all now a step closer to even more breakthroughs in cancer research, ensuring we are able to fund the vital equipment and infrastructure for which scientists seek our Foundation’s support year after year. Continue reading “Thank you for supporting our tax time appeal”
Help us end cancer this tax year by making a tax deductible donation Posted on June 1, 2010June 11, 2020 by Carly du Toit Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Chief Executive, David Brettell, has urged supporters to get behind the Foundation’s 2010 mid-year appeal and our mission to fund the fight against cancer by improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. “This is a time we reflect on the 1 in 3 Australians who will be affected by cancer and on our role in funding vital research that can treat and cure the various cancers”. Help us fund ground-breaking cancer research It is our call to all cancer research supporters to help fund the work of the brilliant scientists who seek grants from ACRF each year to overcome cancer. By making a tax deductible donation this year, you will be able to boost your tax return by reducing your taxable income and support a cause you are passionate about. This year we have shortlisted six from the 13 grant applicants who will now progress to the second stage of our 2010 multi-million dollar grant program. Click here to read about our grant recipients and research projects. How your donations are helping us to fund research to end cancer Collaboration and world-class competitive research are among the top priorities for funding this year. Continue reading “Help us end cancer this tax year by making a tax deductible donation”
