The ABCF is dedicated to developing programs to support the community, patients, and their families. Our first two Patient and Family Care programs, the Canberra Brain Cancer Support Team and the Canberra Financial Hardship Grants, have been thoughtfully developed in consultation with the community to address critical needs and provide meaningful assistance.
The Canberra Brain Cancer Support Team Program is an initiative proudly launched by the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation (ABCF) to address the unique needs of the ACT region. Funded by our generous Founding Partners and delivered in collaboration with the Peace of Mind Foundation (POMF) through their Community Brain Cancer Navigator program, this initiative provides vital, personalised support to individuals and families affected by brain cancer in Canberra. Key services include:
• Help with navigating the health system, and emotional support, including palliative care and bereavement services.
• Tailored support for both paediatric and adult patients for all types of brain tumours, including benign tumours.
Brain cancer imposes a significant financial burden on patients and their families, including the loss of family income due to illness. To help alleviate these challenges, our Financial Hardship Grants program offers essential support to address unexpected expenses.
The Research Initiative focuses on funding local Canberran researchers and institutions, while attracting the best and brightest minds from around the world to Canberra, making our Nation’s Capital an internationally respected brain cancer hub.
In doing so, we aim to support research that will develop novel, innovative and less invasive treatments for brain cancer.
We recognise that research is vital to finding new treatments and understanding the cause of brain cancer.
This initiative supports advanced research programs like the Brain Cancer Bio-Bank and uses collaborative methods to discover novel treatments.
• We fund and invest in cutting-edge local researchers, including groundbreaking work at the Australian National University, including Professor Leonie Quinn’s pioneering research into genomics which uses mini-brain organoids to develop targeted treatments for glioma patients.
• We invest in unique approaches that allow for the development of treatments based on each patient’s specific cancer profile, offering a personalized path forward that brings hope to countless families.
• We also fund clinical trials to test new drugs, providing potential therapies to patients worldwide while attracting and empowering researchers globally to come to Canberra.
• Support for brain cancer research that empowers working mothers and women scientists.
The ABCF believes it is essential to fund advanced medical equipment and build critical infrastructure to support clinicians, researchers, and most importantly, patients.
Without cutting-edge technology and access to brain cancer-specific diagnostic and surgical tools in Canberra, patients are often forced to seek treatment out of state, facing a lower standard of care.
We aim to change this by funding medical equipment for local hospitals and facilities, ensuring that treatments are less invasive, recovery times are shorter, and families can remain in Canberra for care.
• Supports medical facilities by funding advanced technology acquisition for clinical care and research, leading to earlier diagnoses, better treatments, and improved outcomes.
• Enhances patient care by ensuring equal access to state-of-the-art equipment, allowing for less invasive procedures and quicker recovery times.
• Reduces the need for patients and families to travel interstate for world-class medical treatment.
• Invest in advanced surgical and specialised optical tools, positioning Canberra at the forefront of brain cancer treatment.
• Equips researchers with the necessary tools to rapidly develop novel, targeted treatments that align with the latest advancements in brain cancer research.
• Investing in the national capital’s medical infrastructure.
The Australian Brain Cancer Foundation is the first not-for-profit organisation created by the people of Canberra for the People of Canberra to raise funds, bring awareness and help local families affected by brain cancer.
