News

CLCRF Researchers head overseas to extend their knowledge

Published: October 10th, 2018

Two of The Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation’s top researchers attended conferences in North America and Europe to continue their studies in both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the bone marrow microenvironment during leukaemogenesis.

Laurence Cheung headshot smallDr Laurence Cheung attended a very important Keystone conference ‘Keystone Symposia: Novel Aspects of Bone Biology’ in June 2018 in Salt Lake City. Attendance at this conference has reaped many dividends in terms of new collaborations and networking for the Microenvironment project as well as learning new insights regarding the bone marrow microenvironment during the development of leukaemia. Dr Cheung also presented a poster at the conference.

thumbnail_sat7030In May this year, Dr Rishi Kotecha attended the iBFM and CLLS conference in Helsinki, Finland. This conference is by invitation only and one of the specific benefits included meeting TKI’s research laboratory collaborators from the Karolinska Institutet to further develop one of the iALL projects in progress.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. ALL is characterised by an overproduction of immature white blood cells, called lymphoblasts or leukaemic blasts.

CLCRF funded both of these travel grants to the conference.

Charity rider’s wheel power

Published: October 9th, 2018

COMO resident Katelyn Lush is one of 12 cyclists this week riding from Perth to Augusta for the Southwest Bike Trek. The journey across the South-West started on Sunday in Subiaco and has stops at Fairbridge, Preston Beach, Harvey, Eaton, Busselton and Margaret River before finishing at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Augusta on Saturday.

Ms Lush, the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF) executive assistant, said she was no professional cyclist but wanted to give it a crack.
“Two years ago, I cut off my 40cm long hair and shaved my head and raised $13,500 with my friend for charity so this year I thought the bike trek would be the next best thing,” she said.
“I decided to give it a crack and it seemed like a good idea.”

Ms Lush spent 10 months training in the lead-up to the 600km ride. Ms Lush has an Everyday Hero page to raise funds for CLCRF. She has currently raised over $800, beating her goal of $500, but wants to raise more. To donate go to https://bit.ly/2P8J09a.

Source: Southern Gazette (South Perth) –

kateylyn-southerngazette-9-10-18

 

A Cause for Celebration with Beyond Bank

Published: October 5th, 2018

A few weeks ago we were absolutely thrilled to receive a donation $3,160 thanks to Beyond Bank and their kind customers, who have chosen CLCRF as their charity of choice with their Beyond Bank Community Reward Account.

The Beyond Bank Community Reward Account is a unique way for supporters (both individuals and businesses) to contribute to CLCRF.

It’s a high interest savings account which allows CLCRF supporters to save their money. And in return CLCRF receive a Community Reward Payment1, based on the combined average annual balances of all our supporter’s savings. Our supporters don’t pay a thing.

The earnings are not capped. So, the more supporters CLCRF have saving in this account, the more money will be rewarded to our organisation. Each year Beyond Bank donate over $400,0000 back to not-for-profit community organisations.

Show your support and head over now to Beyond Bank to start a Community Reward Account!

 

 

South West Bike Trek: Eric Maddock speaks to 98five Sonshine FM

Published: October 4th, 2018

CLCRF Foundation member and South West Bike Trek coordinator Eric Maddock took to the microphone a couple of weeks ago on Mornings With Mike on 98five Sonshine FM to share his insights into next week’s South West Bike Trek.

In case you missed the interview you can listen below:

Next Sunday, 12 riders will embark on a six-day bike ride from Subiaco to Augusta for the Southwest Bike Trek to raise vital funds and awareness for the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF).

The journey across WA’s iconic South West region, which is more than 300km, will start at Mueller Park, Subiaco, stopping off en route at Fairbridge, Preston Beach, Harvey, Eaton, Busselton and Margaret River before finishing at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Augusta on Saturday 13 October.

Childhood cancer is the single greatest cause of death from disease in Australian children, with three children losing their lives to cancer every week. Childhood cancer is second only to breast cancer in terms of the number of years of life lost by the disease.

Donations to the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) help fund valuable scientific research into childhood cancers. Over the past 30 years CLCRF has made amazing breakthroughs into the treatment children receive. It is because of this research that those children have an opportunity to live long and fulfilling lives.

The first ever SouthWest Bike Trek took place back in 2002 and has raised just under $700,000 for child cancer research projects over 16 years.

If you would like to donate to help Eric and his fellow riders to raise vital funds please donate now.

5895ce87cba9841eabab606c

Como resident Katelyn Lush to embark on 600km Southwest trek

COMO resident Katelyn Lush will be one of 12 cyclists embarking on a six-day ride from Subiaco to Augusta for the Southwest Bike Trek this Sunday. The journey across WA’s iconic South West region will start at Mueller Park, Subiaco, stopping off en route at Fairbridge, Preston Beach, Harvey, Eaton, Busselton and Margaret River before finishing at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Augusta on October 13.

Miss Lush, the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF) executive assistant, said although she’s not a professional cyclist, she still wanted to give it a crack.
“Two years ago I cut off my 40cm long hair and shaved my head and raised $13,500 with my friend for charity so this year I thought the bike trek would be the next best thing,” she said.
“I decided to give it a crack and it seemed like a good idea.”

Miss Lush has been training for 10 months, which has helped increase her fitness levels in the lead-up to the 600km long ride.
“I’ve been given tips and I’ve been trained as well,” she said.
“It’s been hard work, I thought I was going to pull out at the beginning of the year as it was a lot more intense than I anticipated but I stuck with it.”

Miss Lush has launched an EverydayHero page to raise funds for CLCRF. She has currently raised over $800, beating her goal of $500, but wants to raise more. To donate go to https://bit.ly/2P8J09a

Source: Western Suburbs Weekly – October 4th, 2018, 02:00PM
Written by Victoria Rifici

Friends of Finlay Camp Out at Lathlain Park raises funds for research into rare childhood cancers

Published: October 3rd, 2018

CAMPING is one of Finlay Higgs’ favourite outdoor activities and a happy escape for the five-year-old, who continues to fight a rare form of childhood cancer. At three years old, Finlay was diagnosed with stage four high risk hepatoblastoma, a rare type of liver cancer, before undergoing multiple surgeries and treatments. While undergoing treatment the Joondalup toddler wasn’t able to have a normal childhood and enjoy the things he loves like camping, so the Higgs’ family created a fundraising initiative in honour of children like Finlay.

This month, Finlay and his family invite the Perth community to attend their second annual community campout at Lathlain Park to raise funds for critical research into childhood cancers. Held at the Perth Football Club’s home ground from October 27, the family-friendly event will include a Perth Demons football clinic, storytelling around the campfire, sing-along sessions, face painting, live music and a barbecue. All proceeds from the two-day fundraiser go to the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation’s Million Dollar Project for Telethon.

Finlay’s mother Katey Higgs said last year’s campout was a huge success and since then, Finlay had made promising progress.
“Since the last camp out Finlay has started kindy and is really enjoying making lots of new friends,” she said.
“He has remained disease-free and is getting stronger and stronger.
“My favourite thing about last year’s campout was seeing how relaxed and happy everyone looked sitting around together as a family, enjoying the barbecue and listening to the fabulous entertainment.”

Mrs Higgs said the rareness of hepatoblastoma meant that much more funding for research was needed to improve the current survival rate, which varied from 20 per cent to 70 per cent, dependent on how advanced the cancer was.
“The more they discover and learn about childhood cancers, the better they will be able to treat all children,” she said.
“Without donations, there is no research.
“Without research, nothing changes.
“We want to make changes – we want childhood cancers to be universally survivable.”

487062psg

Friends of Finlay Camp Out

When: Saturday, October 27 from 2pm to Sunday, October 28 8.30am
Where: Lathlain Park
For the day’s itineraries and to register, visit friendsoffinlay.com.au/events/campout

Source: Southern Gazette – Written by Lauren Pilat
Read Article on original website

CLCRF Patron Justin Langer inspires West Coast Eagles to 4th Premiership with rousing speech

Published: October 2nd, 2018

Not only is Justin Langer inspiring our elite level cricketers in his role as the Australian Cricket Head Coach – The CLCRF Patron has helped the West Coast Eagles on their way to their 4th Premiership win by delivering a moving speech.

Coach Adam Simpson opened up on the inspirational speech JL gave which helped turn his side into a premiership force.

Speaking after his side’s five-point victory over the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG, Simpson revealed how a slight change in attitude following the speech from Langer helped win the club a premiership.

“There was something going on with the players (this year), Justin Langer spoke to our group, he spoke about spirit,” Simpson said.

“It was probably the last piece for us from a club point of view. We try to make the club a real sanctuary for the players, they’re under a lot of pressure.

“We changed the attitude a tiny bit and the players have just responded so well and I’m not surprised they did what they did today.”

Langer – The The Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (inc.) Patron – sits on the Eagles’ board and has been a long-term supporter of the club, spoke for 15 minutes last September about spirit, his career and what drove him as a player to perform constantly under the spotlight.

Several of the West Coast Eagles players listened to the speech repeatedly throughout the 2018 season.

CLCRF would like to congratulate the West Coast Eagles on their 2018 AFL Premiership and CLCRF Patron Justin Langer for his words of wisdom to carry the players over the line.

Building Excellence in Research Experimental Grant Awards

Published: September 15th, 2018

We are thrilled to acknowledge the recipients of the Building Excellence in Research Travel Grants – Anastasia Hughes and Anthony Buzzai. These worthy recipients have each received a $5000 grant from CLCRF, which has allowed them to attend important conferences to advance their respective research.

Anastasia Hughes, PhD student in the Leukaemia and Cancer Genetics team at the Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), received a grant to attend the 3rd Scientific Workshop on Tumour Microenvironment in the Haematological Malignancies and its Therapeutic Targeting in London from the 24 to 26 February.

This workshop is designed to promote scientific interaction between participants from all over the world and aims to present strategies to target haematological cancers in their tumour microenvironment. Anastasia will be attending this significant workshop with Dr Laurence Cheung, Senior Research Officer of Leukaemia and Cancer Genetics at TKI. Laurence will be using his CLCRF travel allowance from the Block Grant for this excellent opportunity.

Anthony Buzzai, PhD Candidate in the Cancer Immunology Unit at TKI, will be using his grant to attend the Keystone Symposia Cancer Metastasis: The Role of Metabolism, Immunity and the Microenvironment in Florence from the 15 to 19 March. This conference brings together biologists and immunologists who have a common interest in how cellular metabolism influences cell function and it encourages new collaborations between researchers to advance their knowledge.

It is important for the Foundation to continue funding these travel grants in order to provide young researchers with the chance to advance their research. We look forward to hearing more about the excellent opportunity these travel grants have afforded Anastasia and Anthony and we wish them both a safe and successful trip.

Cannington students donate their mobile phones to support CLCRF

Published: September 14th, 2018

In September 2018, students at the Cannington Community Education Support Centre generously donated their old mobile phones to the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF) as part of their community engagement and responsibility activities. The students managed to accumulate 29 mobile phones, which they personally dropped off to the CLCRF office.

Not only is recycling old mobile phones environmentally and socially responsible but by donating them to CLCRF, the students have helped to support essential research into childhood cancers. This initiative is made possible through the Aussie Recycling Program (ARP), who donate funds to the Foundation in exchange for receiving old mobile phones.

Mobile phone donations contribute to the optimum recycling solution of re-use, as the recycled phones are either refurbished or sent for material recycling, where materials can be recovered and put back into productive use. This follows the ARP’s environmentally conscious policy to guarantee zero landfill.

CLCRF would like to thank the students of Cannington Community Education Centre for their kind donations and for helping to raise awareness for the Foundation.

Teddy’s Loving Bequest

Published: September 12th, 2018

Esma Mary Cormack or Teddy as she was known, recently left a bequest of over $30,000 to the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation. Teddy was 90 years young when she passed away in September 2017.

Teddy had two daughters eight years apart, Sue and Debbie. Debbie passed away at six years of age, after a very long illness back in the 1950s. She was born with a severe liver disease and deformity, with no prospect of a cure. This experience as a parent formed the basis of Teddy’s desire to support and help the most vulnerable. Some years following Debbie’s death, the family moved to Western Australia. Upon making out her Will several years later, the solicitor suggested that Teddy consider making a bequest to a children’s charity. Teddy was excited to think that she could make a difference for children and babies who were very sick and in pain.

It was suggested that CLCRF was a good fit for her wishes as the Foundation funds research into childhood cancer. The goal of this research funded by the Foundation for over 37 years has been to find better protocols for treatment of young children. A bequest such as this will go a long way to help make that happen. This was Teddy’s legacy in remembrance of a cheerful little girl named Deborah Jayne. The Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation are very grateful for Teddy’s generous bequest.

News Archive
Categories