Smartphones, the International Space Station, smoke free airplanes, sat-nav and social media — the world has changed a lot in the last thirty years. Sadly, the rate of survival for children diagnosed with brain cancer has changed very little. 

Today, brain cancer kills more Australian children than any other disease. It’s a cruel statistic, and one that the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre is determined to do something about. 

In an Australian first, researchers from world-leading institutions are working together, committed to advancing treatment options, improving survivorship, and ultimately finding a cure for paediatric brain cancer.

The Children’s Brain Cancer Centre, launched last year by the Children’s Hospital Foundation, is the only research centre in the country solely dedicated to improving survival and survivorship for children with this disease.

We’re proud to support their vital work, and today announced a $500,000 donation to bring new hope to children fighting brain cancer. 

The donation from Golden Casket, part of the Lott, has been funded from unclaimed prize money. It will support life-saving research, which includes innovative new therapies, improving neurological ability in patients, and reprogramming of immune cells to target brain tumours.

Children’s Hospital Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Rosie Simpson said the Centre was committed to tackling the deadliest disease for Australian children with a game-changing approach to paediatric research. 

“The Children’s Brain Cancer Centre unites the best of the best in paediatric brain research,” she said.

“Brain cancer claims the life on one Australian child every nine days — more than any other disease. Despite advances in other types of childhood cancer, survival rates for brain cancer have made little progress over the past 30 years.

“The Children’s Brain Cancer Centre aims to change that.

"Our goal is to improve the survival and survivorship for children with brain cancer.”

Golden Casket General manager Andrew Shepherd said the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre gave children and their families living with the disease a greater chance for a brighter future.

“We have a long history of supporting important health initiatives within our communities and we’re proud to continue that tradition through our donation to the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre," he said.

“This Australian-first centre is bringing new hope to children and their families living with paediatric brain cancer and it’s a privilege to play a part in helping this world-class team of experts continue their vital research.”

Find out more about the Children's Hospital Foundation and the Children's Brain Cancer Centre in the video below.