The Research Initiative focuses on investing in local Canberran researchers and institutions, while attracting top talent from around the world to establish Canberra as an internationally respected brain cancer hub. We recognise that research is vital to finding new treatment 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 invest in cutting-edge local researchers, including Professor Leonie Quinn’s groundbreaking work at the Australian National University. Her research uses mini-brain organoids—tiny, lab-grown versions of the human brain—to develop targeted treatments for glioma patients.

• Professor Quinn’s unique approach allows 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.

• Tailored support for brain cancer research also focuses on empowering working mothers and women scientists.

The ABCF believes it is essential to invest in 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 investing in 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 providing advanced technology 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.

• Invests in technology such as Gamma knife surgery and specialised optical tools, positioning Canberra at the forefront of brain cancer treatment.

• Equips researchers, like Professor Quinn and her team, with the necessary tools to rapidly develop novel, targeted treatments that align with the latest advancements in brain cancer research.