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.’

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.”

Katelyn Lush
Executive Assistant

Katelyn started working full time at the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) in 2013 however she would regularly help out and volunteer when needed from a young age.

Prior to joining the CLCRF she worked in the Fitness Industry, and thoroughly enjoyed working with people and helping them to achieve their goals. This passion to help people has followed her to the Foundation.

Katelyn enjoys being involved with CLCRF and helping raise awareness of child cancer research.

Kylie Dalton
PR & Marketing Manager

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.