Australians with brain cancer
deserve better
For too long, they have had too few treatments and too little hope.
There’s been no standardised way to measure adherence to best practice care for brain cancer patients across Australia - so people’s outcomes can depend on variables like where they live and the resources they have to access gold standard treatment and care.
Brain cancer attacks a person’s personality, their physical abilities and cognitive function. The decline is usually rapid. It’s frightening to lose the essence of who you are and know there is very little your doctors can do to stop it.
The toll on families is immense. They are thrown into an unexpected world of treatments and appointments even as they struggle with the shock of the diagnosis. .
Patients and loved ones quickly learn that brain cancer is among the most under-resourced of all cancers – and that survival rates have not improved in decades.
Brain Cancer Australia is supporting research-driven breakthroughs and improvements in patient care to make the biggest possible difference in the shortest possible time.
Here’s the impact we want
to make – with your help
Our integrated platforms will deliver a unique capacity to drive brain cancer research and improved clinical care. When fully funded and operational the platforms will immediately improve outcomes for all brain cancer patients, regardless of their age, location and socio-economic status.
Improved quality of life
Doctors, hospitals and health care providers will be able to identify and correct harmful variations in brain cancer patient care. Consistent best-practice health care will be available to patients across Australia. This care will give them more time, and a better quality of life in the time they have left.
Increased survival rates
There will be a greater number of robust brain cancer research projects and associated breakthroughs. Cost-effective, data-driven clinical trials will speed up the delivery of potential new treatments to patients. These efforts will lead to significant progress in improving survival rates over the coming decades.
Patients will benefit from a flow of new approaches and therapies
It will be easier for patients to register and consent for research that can lead to cutting-edge treatments. This will accelerate the movement of new treatments from bench to bedside. People with brain cancer will have the hope and reassurance that a well-resourced, generously funded brain cancer research community is working hard to save their lives.
Achievements
Australia’s first national biobanking consortium of 89 leading researchers and clinicians.
Creation of a virtual hub for a national network of 20 brain cancer biobanks
World-class registry of brain cancer tissue and data with centralised online access to over 11,000 biospecimens
Collaborative partnerships with industry leaders, including CSIRO, Ramsay Health and state health departments.
National, multi-disciplinary approach to integrate biobanking and data collection
World-first publications on biobanking data standards and clinical quality indicators for best practice care.
Advocate Stories
The devastating legacy of brain cancer never leaves those it touches.
Tragically, it’s a disease that affects many children and young people in the prime of their lives.
Read our advocate stories to better understand how their lives have been affected.
Beth's Story
Beth initially thought her fainting spells were due to growing pains and was shocked to be diagnosed with Astrocytoma Grade 2. Thirteen years on, while grateful to be a long-term survivor, she is aware that at any time the cancer could return.
Matt’s Story
Matt has been a great supporter of the Bike Ride for Brain Cancer, riding and fundraising across multiple years. Here he shares his shattering story of losing his beloved wife Belinda and having to continue on raising their daughter alone.
Pip’s Story
In 2011, Pip was a happy and healthy 46yr old mother of 4 children, aged 15, 13, 10 and 8 - then came the brain cancer diagnosis.
Pip reflects on her journey so far, both the struggles she has faced and her hopes for the future.
Al’s Story
Many know Al for his commitment to the 2020 Bike Ride for Brain Cancer; training inside during the Canadian winter with plans to fly home to Australia in time for the ride. COVID put an end to that but what many didn’t realise was that Al was also in the midst of treatment for brain cancer.
Nigel’s Story
“I get a brain scan each quarter and if it’s clear I know that means I get to live for another three months, and that’s something I’m incredibly grateful for now.”
Charlotte's Story
At just 12 years of age, beautiful Charlotte has endured more than her fair share of invasive brain cancer treatments. Her mother Rebecca is sharing the story of their harrowing journey in the hope that it will not only support others but help in the effort to find a cure for this terrible disease.
Ross’s Story
Many People know Ross as the man who leads from the front in the Bike Ride For Brain Cancer. Whether it’s on the bike or fundraising, Ross is always there passionately supporting the Brain Cancer Collective with his family right beside him. Father of 3, Ross was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013 at the age of 53. Here his wife Di gives her account of what it is like to go through such a traumatic diagnosis and their journey so far.
