About CLCRF - Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation

Who we are? Read our Story

For forty years the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc) has been raising funds for research into childhood cancers.

The creation of the Foundation was inspired by nine year old Jennifer Harper, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1977. When her father, Peter Harper, discovered that there was no research into children’s leukaemia being done in Western Australia, he set out, together with other parents of children with cancer, to raise funds for this purpose. Sadly Jennifer passed away in 1978.

Australia has one of the highest incidences of childhood cancer worldwide. One in 500 Australian children will develop a cancer before 15 years of age – that’s 600 Australian children diagnosed every year. Childhood cancer is the single greatest cause of death from disease in Australian children, with three children losing their lives to cancer every week. In Australia, childhood cancer is second only to breast cancer in terms of the number of years of life lost by the disease.

The quest to find cures for childhood cancer is one of medicine’s greatest success stories. Fifty years ago only two percent of children with cancer survived. Medical research alone has improved overall survival rates to 80 percent. With childhood cancer still the leading cause of death from disease in Australian children, there is more work to be done. There are still particular childhood cancers – such as brain tumours and neuroblastoma – with survival rates as low as 50 percent.

CLCRF has a commitment to ensure this ground-breaking research continues so that the future generations will be the ones to live cancer free. The Foundation relies on the generous support of the community to continue its vital research, as we do not receive State or Federal funding.

What we do? See why we are here

Fund Research

CLCRF has a commitment to ensure that ground-breaking research continues, so that future generations will be able to live cancer free. The Foundation relies on the generous support of the community to continue its vital research, as we do not receive State or Federal funding.READ MORE

Community Events

To bridge the gap between our research needs and the community we support, CLCRF have created a number of events that we believe help with the awareness of childhood cancer and the need for research, as well as provide joy to those families affected.READ MORE

Share Research

Our laboratory collaborates with many institutes all over the world and is fundamental in the continued development and progress of the success of childhood cancer research. READ MORE

Link Support Services

Whilst the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) is a research funding foundation, we find that we work closely with many families who are affected by childhood cancer. READ MORE

Become a Volunteer

We’re always in need of great people to join our volunteer team! Without the invaluable help of many volunteers we would not be able to run our community events or raise as much money as we do to help fund research into Childhood Cancer. There are many ways you can assist, it may be an hour of your time or it may be a skill you can provide. We’re passionate about our volunteers we hope you will be passionate about our cause. Sign up today

JOIN TODAY

Meet our Administration Team

Andrea Alexander
Chief Executive Officer

Andrea feels very privileged to be part of this wonderful organisation. The Board are a dedicated group of people, who give so generously of their time and expertise for the cause.

Andrea has been the Executive Officer of the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation since July 1996. Prior to this she commenced employment at PMH in 1979, working in various departments until she joined the Princess Margaret Children’s Medical Research Foundation as Personal Assistant to the Administrator from 1984-1990.

From 1990-1993 she again worked at PMH & from 1993-1996 worked at various companies & health organisations whilst living in Melbourne. Andrea said that ‘the Foundation staff and volunteers are like one ‘big family’ – it is an honour to know and work alongside them all.’

Kylie Dalton
Head of Development

As a Director for Absolute Edge Media Kylie is proud to be offering her services to Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF).

Kylie has been in PR & Marketing for over 25 years and her role within the Foundation started when she volunteered in 2011 to help create A Flame for Aline – which was a flash mob with donations to CLCRF. Her expertise and enthusiasm for the cause have grown with the Foundation over the last five years.

Kylie’s firm Absolute Edge Media now handles all of CLCRF’s PR, Marketing and events. Through the creation of events such as Dance for A Cure, which is now in it’s third year, the wider community are able to connect and understand the important work that the Foundation does.

Wendy Kearns
Executive Officer

Wendy started working with the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) in 1997 on a part time basis and graduated to full time in 2006.

Prior to this Wendy was employed at the Perth Children’s Hospital, from 1973 to 1989 (full time) and 1989 onwards (casual/relief), in various administrative roles culminating in the position of Cashier/Paymaster. Wendy also has a background working in the music industry.

In Wendy’s words “The CLCRF is a wonderful organisation and I feel proud to be a part of such a dedicated group who continue to contribute to the vital funding of research into childhood cancers. Being the parent of healthy (now adult) children, it also makes me fully appreciate how fortunate our family is.”

Sophie Galati
Communications Coordinator

Sophie joined the team at Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) in early 2020 as the Communications Coordinator. In this versatile role, she will provide administrative support and coordinate the Foundation’s digital marketing efforts.

Qualified in all things marketing, Sophie completed a Bachelor of Arts in Internet Communications as well as a Graduate Diploma in Marketing at Curtin University. Prior to officially joining the Foundation, Sophie worked closely with the team at CLCRF as the Digital Content Manager at Absolute Edge Media – the marketing firm that used to handle all of CLCRF’s PR, marketing and events.

Sophie is excited by the opportunity to now work in-house for the Foundation where she will be able to focus all of her attention on helping an important cause.

Jody Williams
Marketing Manager

Jody’s passion for marketing and design can be traced back to her pre-professional days. Whether it was creative writing or painting, reading or crafts, Jody has been on a communications path from the start.

Having worked in the fields of marketing, communications and fundraising for over 12 years, her professional journey has led Jody to developing strong strategic and analytical skills with a particular proclivity for branding, delivering effective marketing campaigns and nurturing relationships.

Jody takes a values-driven approach to her work and is passionate about the Foundation. She is determined to join the team in affecting change and making a meaningful difference by contributing to fundraising campaigns to fund childhood cancer research.

Lavanya Nadarajah
Donor/Fundraising Specialist

Lavanya brings passion and dedication to her role as Fundraising/Donor Specialist, working collaboratively with the wider team to achieve the ultimate goal of eradicating Childhood Cancer.

She gained her corporate experience working with global and Australian organisations, having worked closely with clients to successfully deliver excellent outcomes within Financial Services and Trust Management sectors. Lavanya brings specialised knowledge in supporting strategic decisions, marketing and communications and customer relationship building.

Lavanya’s philosophy is simple, but powerful – she puts the client at the heart of everything she does, and is constantly focused on what is important to her clients. Her warmth, diligence and sense of humour are key strengths.

Lavanya’s experience, excellent track record and client centricity aligns perfectly with the vision of Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation. She is intrigued by the work done by the foundation and the cancer research team, and is excited to apply her skills and experience to driving our vision forward.