$100M Philanthropic Collaboration to Beat Brain Cancer

Australia is set to lead the world with a $100 million “mission” to beat brain cancer, double survival rates in 10 years, and improve patients’ quality of life, thanks to a philanthropic collaboration with the federal government.

Called the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, the fund is a collaboration between the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, the federal government, and Minderoo Foundation’s Eliminate Cancer Initiative in consultation with the world’s leading medical researchers.

The collaboration comprises $50 million from the federal government through the Medical Research Future Fund, a $20 million commitment from Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, and $10 million from Minderoo Foundation’s Eliminate Cancer Initiative.

And the federal government said it expected to announce the remaining $20 million in the coming months.

The mission follows a sustained advocacy campaign by Cure Brain Cancer Foundation to make brain cancer a national priority, with a greater share of government focus and funding for what the organisation describes as the “forgotten cancer”.

The foundation said brain cancer killed more children than any other disease and more adults under 40 than any other cancer, and survival rates had remained at 20 per cent for more than 30 years.

“Cure Brain Cancer Foundation has worked long and hard in calling for brain cancer to receive more focus and funding,” CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Michelle Stewart said.

“Today our calls have finally been heard. Although not quick enough for some, the long road to a cure just got shorter with this game-changer for people with brain cancer. The Australian Brain Cancer Mission will deliver record levels of focus and funding, which we know have led to dramatic increases in survival for other cancers.

“This shows how much more can be achieved by working as a team and not going it alone. But we have a huge task ahead and until we find a cure, no amount of money will be enough, so we must continue to raise funds for world-class research to accelerate treatments to Australian children and adults with brain cancer.

“[The initiative has] given new hope to people living with brain cancer. In the true spirit of collaboration, the door is wide open for others to join us on this important mission.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said The Australian Brain Cancer Mission was “underpinned by a research roadmap developed by Australian and international experts in brain cancer treatment and research, and those affected by brain cancer, their advocates and philanthropic interests”.

“Brain cancer affects many Australian adults of all ages, but it disproportionately affects children and we lose a classroom of kids each year to brain cancer. This is an unacceptable statistic that must be reversed,” Hunt said.

“Our goal is to confine brain cancer mortality to the history books of time and we are aiming to replicate the success of our fight on other cancers such as leukaemia.

“We are dollar matching every donation up to $50 million to support the Australian Brain Cancer Mission and I am calling on other Australians, government and industry to join this important initiative.”