Aussie Government Commits $7 Million To Childhood Brain Cancer Research

The Australian government has dug deep into their pockets on Child Brain Cancer Awareness Day to help young ones going through a rough time.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced $7 million will be provided to fund research and development into how we can minimise the number of children being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Childhood brain cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in Australian children aged zero to 14.

Around 100 children in that age category are diagnosed with brain cancer each year, and an estimated 36 children will die from brain cancer in 2019.

Mr Hunt released a statement saying: "Today, on the first Childhood Brain Cancer Awareness Day, we are shining a spotlight on one of the deadliest childhood brain cancers - Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

"DIPG is an aggressive brain tumour found at the base of the brain, which is estimated to affect around 20 children aged 0-14 years, each year in Australia. Less than 10 per cent of children are alive two years after diagnosis.

"In a show of commitment to doubling the 10-year survival rate of childhood brain cancer and improving the quality of life of people living with brain cancer, our Government will provide $5 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for childhood brain cancer clinical trials."

This funding will no doubt be music to researcher's ears, especially cancer scientist Dr Matt Dun, who's young daughter is currently battling DIPG.

Matt Dun

Dr Dun has been working to get clinical trials off the ground, which he admits costs a hell of a lot of money. He's set up a GoFundMe to help raise some much needed cash that will go towards hopefully finding a cure for Josie.

"Like any parent, if such therapy becomes available in time for Josie, we would give anything to get it for our girl," he wrote on the fundraising page.

The cancer scientist adds that Josie has already endured so much as a four-year-old.

"To date, Josie has undergone more than 50 general anaesthetics, 30 doses of radiation therapy to her brainstem, seven surgeries and numerous other violations to her precious little body," he said.

"Phoebe and I feel somewhat afraid, and at times overwhelmed, at what lies ahead. I know we are both doing our best to remain focused on what we need to do to provide Josie with the best care and quality of life possible."

Donating to Dr Dun's research could mean the difference between a child's life or death.

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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