News

Local Immunotherapy

Local Immunotherapy for Sarcoma

Published: July 5th, 2022

Our Foundation has helped fund so many important research projects at the Telethon Kids Institute, working together with the Institute for decades to help improve the lives of children battling cancer. One of the exciting research projects that we are currently helping to fund is the Local Immunotherapy for Sarcoma project, headed by Associate Professor Joost Lesterhuis.

Joost is the Head of the Sarcoma Translational Research team at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, a team that aims to discover and develop safer and more effective treatments for sarcoma through inventive and rigorous research. One of the team’s current focuses is on developing immunotherapy approaches for childhood sarcoma that can be applied during surgery to prevent relapse.

Sarcomas are a group of cancers of the bone, muscle, or connective tissue. About 15% of cancers in children and adolescents are sarcomas, whereas it makes up only 1% of cancers in adults. “The biggest problem that has been facing sarcoma is that there hasn’t been a lot of progress in the last three decades,” said Joost. “Basically, we treat children with sarcoma the same as we did three decades ago.”

The relatively high incidence of the disease in children and the regularity of relapse makes the development of more effective treatments a high priority. “We really need to do better,” said Joost. “Because, at the moment, the primary treatment that we have available is surgery. With surgery, you really want to get rid of the tumour with a wide margin around it. Which, in some cases actually means amputations of limbs.”

Unfortunately, in many cases, some cancer cells will remain after surgery, which can then grow out in time and cause the cancer to come back. This means children must also go through harsh chemotherapy or radiotherapy before and after surgery. Even after all this, some children will still relapse.

“Once sarcoma returns, the prognosis becomes rather grim,” explained Joost. “One in three children will actually die from their sarcoma. So, we really have to do better.”

Currently, Joost and his team are developing a gel that can be left behind in the wound bed by the surgeon after sarcoma surgery. Children can then go home while the gel locally releases immunotherapy in the period that follows the surgery.

The aim is for the gel to attract and activate immune cells to mop up any remaining cancer cells, hopefully preventing the relapse of the sarcoma. The nature of the gel itself means that it safely degrades on its own.

This is such an exciting project and one that our Foundation is extremely proud to help fund. By continuing to fund this project, with the help of our generous community of supporters, we can see outcomes improve for so many children with sarcoma.

When you donate towards CCRF, you are helping to support world-class researchers like Joost and his team at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre. This helps us get closer to seeing a future where children can live the cancer-free and side-effect-free lives that they deserve. If you would like to donate, simply head to our online donation page.

Images provided by Telethon Kids Institute

 

 

We're Rebranding

We’re rebranding!

Published: July 1st, 2022

We are thrilled to unveil our fresh new brand identity! Our team has thought long and hard about creating an identity that accurately depicts who we are as an organisation, landing on a brand new name and modified logo.

As our Foundation funds the vital research into all types of childhood cancers, we believe Child Cancer Research Foundation (CCRF) is a better representation of what we do. With “child cancer research” already being our website domain name for many years, it only made sense for this to be reflected in the rest of our brand. The condensed name is also less of a mouthful than the predecessor – so, you’re welcome!

Although our name has changed, our mission certainly has not. We remain committed to ensuring the ground-breaking research into childhood cancers continues, so that future generations of children can live the long and fulfilling lives they deserve.

Our new branding is simply a new trading name for our Foundation, meaning our ABN remains the same and nothing will change in terms of where your donations are going.

These changes will be effective from today, 1 July 2022. As this is quite a significant change for our team, we ask that you please bear with us as make the necessary adjustments across all our online and offline channels.

Whether you are a new or a long-time supporter of our Foundation, we would like to sincerely thank you for your support. We believe, with the help of our restored brand image, our Foundation will only continue to grow and get closer to seeing a cancer-free future for our children.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Never too little to help

Published: June 30th, 2022

Source: Serpentine Jarradale Examiner – Issue 1516 • June 30th 2022 – Page 3
Author: Chris Fowler

Photo credit: Richard Polden

A Year 3 student at Serpentine Primary proved you are “never too little to help,” last Thursday, after a hair cut in front of her entire school helped her raise more than $3000 for children with cancer.

Eight-year-old Emilia took to the stage at a special assembly, where hairdressers cut her golden locks, to be donated for use in wigs for people being treated for cancer.

Alongside the haircut, Emilia, with the help of her Mum, Cara, set up a fundraising page on Facebook, that has so far received 78 donations.

While Cara was proud of her daughter’s initiative, she never expected the bright-eyed humanitarian to raise so much in donations.

“I thought $500 would be lovely to donate – $3375 is just gob smacking,” Cara said. Emilia decided to make her fundraising drive after asking her mother about what happens to people’s hair when they receive treatment for cancer.

“She had seen a couple of friends suffering from cancer and asked me last year what happens to people that lose their hair from having cancer,” Cara said.

“I explained why and that they need to wear a wig and she decided then she would donate her hair.

“Our very close family friend is a childhood cancer survivor, so I thought what better way to support the Foundation that supports her, Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation.”

Emilia was also surprised by the success of her charity work, saying it made fer feel “very happy.”

Family friend Georgia Lowry was on hand to help out at Thursday’s assembly. “I was delighted to be invited to the assembly to be one of the hairdressers, I was most honoured to do that,” Ms Lowry said.

“She was pretty quiet, gorgeous little thing, she’s usually very, very outgoing, but as you would think, being centre of attention and chopping your long locks off, she was a bit nervous.

“She’s just a little legend, she’s an inspiration, to be fundraising and caring about people with cancer, she’s a little superstar,” Ms Lowry said.

Emilia, who enjoys dancing and netball and loves her new haircut, had a message for other youngsters who want to make a difference. “You are never too little to help.”

 

 

Congrats to our raffle winner!

Published: June 30th, 2022

Congratulations to our latest raffle winner who has just won $15,000! This raffle was drawn Wednesday 29 June (Permit Number: LS216367921) and we are excited to announce that the winning ticket was no. 290287.

A big thank you to everyone who supported this raffle and helped us raise funds for childhood cancer research.

We also congratulate our Ruby Club Bonus Draw winner, who has just won $1,000 cash! When you join our Ruby Club, not only do you go into the our $15,000 draw, but you are also automatically entered into exclusive monthly draws to win $1,000 cash.

Our next raffle for $15,000 will open soon, so keep an eye on our raffle page for your chance to be the next lucky winner! If you would like to join our Ruby Club to give yourself more chances to win big, sign up today.

Georgia’s a rock star

Published: June 29th, 2022

Source: Serpentine Jarradale Examiner – Issue 1516 • June 30th 2022 – Pages 1 & 3
Author: Chris Fowler

A Mundijong resident and childhood cancer survivor had her dreams realised on Wednesday, when the Childhood Leukemia and Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF) gifted her a brand-new truck, to combine her love of hose-riding with her role as foundation ambassador.

Georgia Lowry was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of infantile leukemia at just eight weeks old, suffering through a punishing regimen of radiotherapy to combat the disease’s terrifying two per cent rate of survival. At six months of age, Georgia became the youngest bone marrow transplant recipient for leukemia in Australia, thanks to a donation from her sister, Grace. Following years of treatment, including periods of remission and return and a second bone marrow transplant, Georgia recovered, although she still suffers from the after-effects of her radiation treatments.

Having recently celebrated her 28th birthday, Georgia has volunteered as anambassador for CLCRF since 2012, enthusiastically giving her time to promote the foundation through public speaking and school visits. Time and energy, however, is not the only thing Georgia has contributed to cancer research. To this day, researchers around the world use Georgia’s cell lines to get a better understanding of how to treat the disease.

“We’ve got a tissue bank that we’ve been running here in WA for about 42 years and Georgia’s cell-lines are the rock stars,” CLCRF General Manager Kylie Dalton said.
“We test different drug protocols and when a research project is looking for a particular cell line, they will request those cells.”

For reasons still unknown, Georgia’s cells can be grown in the laboratory far more successfully than most. “Georgia’s cells seem to be able to do that,” Ms Dalton said. “I wish I could answer that, I really do. We just know that Georgia is a rock star in her own right.
“She’s an incredible ambassador for us and she’s the example of why research matters.
“For her to get up every single day and do what she does is incredible, if you know the journey she has gone through. She is my superhero.”
“To be able to give back to her so she can live her best life is such a thrill.”

Ever enthusiastic, and quietly humble, Georgia said that being gifted the truck hasn’t hit home yet.
“It was such a surreal day, like it was a “I was so overwhelmed by seeing the truck for the first time, I was quite a mess.
“It’s a new life for me, I’m hon oured to be able to spread the word about such an amazing foundation, it’s a family, they are so supportive and so set on making cancer history.
“I’m just really privileged to be a part of it.”

Speaking of her ‘rock star’ cell lines, Georgia is quick to acknowledge the medical researchers who use them.
“Something good has come out of something bad,” Georgia said.
“They’re still working really hard; I think they have had a few breakthroughs but they’re still consistently testing on my cells and finding new ways to eliminate cancer.
“When I was a baby, it was the radiation that did the most harm to my body, and they’ve eliminated the amount of radiation needed, using that just as a last resort instead of straight away.
“It’s truly something, and like I said I’m privileged to be a part of it. I’m just honoured.”
“I’m definitely not the worst off, there are so many people worse off than me, and to head to schools and see a smile, or have a kid ask a question, that makes my day.
“That’s what I’m there for and that’s what I love to do.

Donate to the Georgia Lowry Project today!

Over $5,000 raised at the Perth Tradie Expo!

Published: June 22nd, 2022

It was great to be back at the Perth Tradie Expo over the weekend of 17-19 June. Not even the wet weather could dampen our spirits as we managed to raise $5,331.70 for childhood cancer research!

The always-popular event at Ascot Racecourse provides a once-a-year opportunity for tradies and DIY enthusiasts to purchase tools and equipment at bargain prices. To gain entry, attendees pay a small gold coin donation to charity. We were thrilled to be invited back to the Expo, collecting donations alongside the Desperate for Love Dog Pound Rescue.

This incredible result would not have been possible without our amazing volunteers who generously donated their time to collect these funds. A big thank you to Jon, Pia, Alecia, Sarah, Tayla, Keely, Gui, Eiji, Ravina, Kim, Emma, Catherine, Jacky, Andrea, Gordon, Judy, Fennis, Keely, Paul, Angus, Tegan, Logan, Curtis, Wendy, Gary, Paul and Tony!

We would also like to thank every single person who attended the Expo and decided to put their gold coin donation in our tins! Your contribution will go a long way to help future generations of children live cancer-free.

Finally, we thank Toolmart! This is always such an exciting weekend for our volunteers and staff, and we are so grateful for the great opportunity to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research.

Shop for A Cure

Shop for a Cure!

Published: June 20th, 2022

We’ve had something new and exciting in in the works for a little while now and we are so thrilled to finally share it with you all! On Saturday 18 June, we had the grand opening of Shop for a Cure, our very own Op Shop at Gosnells Railway Markets.

We were honoured to have Matt Swinbourn MLC and ambassador Georgia Lowry help us celebrate the opening by cutting the gold ribbon. Mayor Terresa Lynes from the City of Gosnells also came down to show her support of our new venture.

Our first weekend was a huge success and we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came down and made a purchase! With cancer still the leading cause of death by disease in Australian children, we are thrilled to see the local community supporting the cause and helping to make a difference.

Figurines and collectables were a huge hit over the weekend and we now need some help restocking our shelves! If you would like to donate any of these items – or anything else – please get in contact with us today by emailing [email protected].

Shop for a Cure is open from Thursday to Sunday 9:30am to 5pm at Gosnells Railway Markets, with all proceeds helping to fund more research into better treatments and programs for children battling cancer.

To learn more and stay up to date with Shop for a Cure, be sure to give the Facebook page a like! www.facebook.com/ShopForACureWA

Emilia gifts her hair for children with cancer

Emilia gifts her hair for children with cancer

Published: June 14th, 2022

Next week, eight-year-old Emilia Douglas will be getting rid of her long locks to raise funds for childhood cancer research. The big cut is set to take place at Emilia’s school, and not only does she intend to raise money, but she also wants to help make a wig for children who need it.

“I have decided to cut my hair to above my shoulders to make a wig for children who have lost their hair from cancer,” explained Emilia. “I want to do this so I can help the sick children feel better.”

Emilia and her family have a close connection to childhood cancer, being long time family friends with CLCRF’s very own Georgia Lowry. Georgia was diagnosed with cancer when she was just eight weeks old and was given a two percent chance of survival. Thanks to advancements made in childhood cancer research, she has just recently celebrated her 28th birthday.

“We also know a family at the moment whose little boy is in Perth Children’s Hospital battling cancer,” said Emilia’s mother Cara.

Cara confessed that Emilia is nervous to cut her hair but is also excited to help make a real difference in the lives of children with cancer. Emilia’s goal was to raise $500 through her fundraiser, but after only 4 days in, she has already raised over $2,000!

Emilia is raising funds through a Facebook Fundraiser, allowing family, friends, and CLCRF supporters to make a secure donation directly to the Foundation. If you would like to support Emilia before her big chop, head to her Facebook Fundraiser page today!

Bow Bridge Tingledale Hazelvale (BTH) Ladies Club

Thank you, BTH Ladies Club

Published: June 10th, 2022

The Foundation recently received a donation from Bow Bridge Tingledale Hazelvale (BTH) Ladies Club, a social club for women in Tingledale and adjacent districts. The enthusiastic ladies hosted a wood raffle in front of the IGA in Walpole over the WA Day long weekend.

By raffling off a trailer load of firewood and selling delicious sweets at a cake stall, the BTH Ladies Club raised a total of $3174.30 for the Foundation.

The ladies usually raise money for charity through a soup day every year, but this year they decided to do something a little different. Considering their incredible result, we think this decision paid off!

We would like to thank the BTH Ladies Club for using their long weekend to support such an important cause. Their gift will go a long way in helping more children live the long and fulfilling lives they deserve.

 

Child Cancer Podcast Series – Funded by Lotterywest

Published: June 1st, 2022

The Foundation is thrilled to announce the commencement of a very exciting project, a child cancer podcast series! This is a first for a charity in Australia, and certainly in WA, to see the benefits of storytelling using podcasts.

General Manager and project leader Kylie Dalton is excited to get started on creating this podcast series with award-winning journalist Cassie Silver at the helm. CLCRF has been supporting the childhood cancer community in WA for 42 years, funding the ground-breaking research that has been instrumental in improving outcomes for children with cancer.

A podcast story told by those families directly affected by childhood cancer, we believe, will help others understand how important it is that we don’t give up the fight. “We’re so very lucky to be able to include in our series one of our Founding members and Chairman of the Board, Geoff Cattach,” said Kylie. “He has dedicated his life to the Foundation and being able to hear his story will be so powerful for others considering supporting charities like ours.”

Included in the series will be stories from the researchers themselves, such as Professor Ursula Kees who was brought from Switzerland to Perth by CLCRF back in 1983 and now serves as a volunteer on the Board.

The whole team at CLCRF are excited to start working on the podcast series, creating a new way to share our important stories. We especially thank Dr Katrina Stratton MLA who presented us with a $15,000 cheque from Lotterywest on 1 June to put towards this project. Lotterywest celebrated a record-breaking financial year in 2020-2021, with $864.9 million provided to the WA community in grants and lottery prizes.

Keep your eyes – or ears – peeled for our child cancer podcast series, coming to you soon!

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