Brain cancer claims the life of one Australian child every 11 days - more than any other disease.

Despite advances in the treatment of other types of childhood cancer, survival rates for brain cancer have made little progress over the past 30 years.

The Centre for Child and Adolescent Brain Cancer Research (CCABCR) is Australia’s first research centre solely focused on paediatric brain cancer, treatment and survivorship, and brings together world-leading researchers, doctors and facilities to boost brain cancer research capacity and outcomes in Queensland and beyond. 

The Lott, through Golden Casket, has committed $500,000 to the pioneering research centre, launched by the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Funded from unclaimed prize money, the donation will help the Centre achieve its goal of uniting the ‘best of the best’ in paediatric brain research to bring new hope to children and young people fighting the disease. 

The centre will play a vital role in the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, which aims to double survival rates and improve the quality of life of people living with brain cancer over the next 10 years, with the longer-term aim of defeating brain cancer. It will be led by a team of four leading experts: – Dr Tim Hassall, Professor Brandon Wainwright, Professor Bryan Day and Professor Greig de Zubicaray. 

Dr Hassall said the centre would be a powerful collaboration of people and organisations driven by a shared purpose – to improve every aspect of brain cancer treatment and care that matters to children and their families.

“Scientific and clinical research is the only way we can change outcomes for these children, and the centre will have the best of the best in paediatric brain cancer research working together to make a meaningful and lasting difference,” Dr Hassall said. 

“Too many times I’ve had to tell a parent that there’s nothing more I can do for their son or daughter. This Centre brings us hope of finding an answer – and hopefully a cure.”

The Lott Managing Director Sue van der Merwe said she wished the new centre every success in tackling childhood brain cancer.

“We are proud to play a part in this Australian-first research centre. Our lottery business has a long history of supporting key health initiatives such as this across Australia”.