You can change a child’s life
Emma's childhood cancer story
Emma* was a vibrant 6-year-old who loved singing, dancing, and drawing. Then, she developed high fevers and extreme lethargy, struggling to keep up with her friends. Her mum sensed something was wrong and took her to the doctor. The devastating diagnosis came: Emma had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
Emma immediately began intense treatments, including chemotherapy, steroids, and painful procedures. On her 7th birthday, she was discharged, but the treatment had taken a toll. She developed Cushing’s Syndrome, a hormone disorder from the steroids.
It took some time for Emma to return to her cheerful self, but she is now in remission and is excited to see her friends again after a long hiatus from school.
*This little one's name and photo have been changed to protect her privacy
Your support can help fund research projects that develop safer and more gentle treatments for children like her.
Your gift can help advance childhood cancer research
Although the 5-year relative survival rate for childhood cancers has improved from 79% to 84% over the last 40 years, cancer remains the leading cause of death among children. This is why we desperately need more research on childhood cancers.
Your support can drive breakthroughs that enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship of children with cancer. Cure Cancer-funded researchers like Dr Ben Wylie and A/Prof Orazio Vittorio are already changing the face of childhood cancer research by developing safer treatments that improve the quality of life for young patients.
Dr Ben Wylie
A/Prof Orazio Vittorio
“Childhood cancer is considered rare, and so research is underfunded by both the government and pharma companies. But if we consider the impact that cancer has on children with their entire lives in front of them, and the impact on their families, childhood cancer patients cannot be considered less worthy of support."
A/Prof Orazio Vittorio is the first scientist to discover that neuroblastoma and gliomas use copper to evade the immune system. In a world-first, he has developed a groundbreaking method that combines copper chelation therapy with immunotherapies to boost children's immune systems against these cancers. The copper chelator he is repurposing is already available with regulatory approval in the US and Australia, and affordable, making it accessible to more families. His team is currently working towards clinical trials for this research.
Dr Ben Wylie is also undertaking groundbreaking research on sarcoma, a common childhood cancer. He and his team have developed an immunotherapy gel made from natural materials found in the body that is also broken down by the body over time. As this happens, the gel enters the surgical area and activates the patient’s immune system to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
By supporting the brightest emerging researchers with innovative ideas like Ben and Orazio, you can help them develop treatments that give children with cancer the best possible chance at growing up with a healthier future.
Every dollar you donate makes a real difference to our mission. Together, we can make the world a better place for children with cancer.
How your donation helps
$75
Can fund an hour of research
$125
Can help fund microscopy imaging to look for immune cells in tumours
$550
Can fund provide lab supplies for up to 10 vital experiments
$1,000
Can help provide cutting-edge software to analyse cells
Our childhood cancer stories
Natasha's osteosarcoma story
Dr Orazio Vittorio's wish as a father
Alexander's childhood cancer survival story
Our childhood cancer researchers
What is childhood cancer?
The types of cancers that occur in children and the way they respond to treatment can be different from cancers that occur in adolescents or adults. Some types of childhood cancer tend to appear in very young children and others in older children.
Every year, over 1,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in Australia. To put that into context, that’s roughly ten times the population of the average daycare centre. The Australian Childhood Cancer Registry (ACCR) notes that cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death for those aged 1-14 years. Unfortunately, it is still considered a rare cancer and is often an underfunded area of research. New data systems for childhood cancer are necessary to achieve better patient outcomes, improve quality of care, and inform decision-making bodies in public health.
What are the risks associated with childhood cancer?
Age is not really considered a risk factor, although it has been noted that the incidence of some cancers varies with age. Family history is also important to note because a few childhood cancers run in families. Some chronic infections such as malaria and HIV have been known to increase a child’s risk of cancer, while other infections have been known to increase a child’s risk of developing cancer as an adult. Vaccinations against hepatitis B and HPV help prevent cancer of the liver and cervical cancer respectively.
What are the types of childhood cancer?
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Leukaemia
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Brain and other central nervous system tumours
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Hodgkin lymphoma
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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
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Neuroblastoma
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Soft tissue sarcoma
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Kidney tumours
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Melanoma
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Bone tumours
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Gem cell tumours
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Retinoblastoma
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Liver tumours
What are the common symptoms of childhood cancer?
Cancer in children can be difficult to detect and diagnose, so it is important to have regular checkups with the GP. Childhood cancer has been associated with a wide range of symptoms that may include:
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Fever
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Severe headaches
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Blurred vision
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Unusual bumps and swelling
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Easy bruising
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Bone pain
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Weight loss
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Fatigue
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Loss of energy and appetite
Screening for children is generally not beneficial although it differs in some cases. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are essential so that it can be treated promptly.
Together, we can cure cancer.
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