CURE
Volume 2 Issue 3

Foundation brings hope to youngest Brain Tumour sufferers

The Trustees of the Cure for Life Foundation™ are proud to announce funding for one of the largest single fellowships on brain tumour research in Australia. The $600,000 fellowship was awarded after review by peak NSW government cancer body, the Cancer Institute NSW, to senior researcher, Dr Wayne Thomas, at Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) for Medical Research.

Through the ongoing support of many dedicated contributors, the Foundation has recently passed the $1million mark in donated funds. We can now focus on becoming a more important force in the fight against this the various forms of brain tumours. “This is now the 3rd, (and significantly largest) brain tumour research project to be funded by the Foundation. Our goal is to continue to fund high level research that could make a long term difference” says Michael Cherry, Foundation Chairman.

“These funds have predominantly been donated by people who have been affected by brain tumours themselves or by their friends and families. This money has been given in love, and the trustees have taken the heavy responsibility of spending their money very seriously,” Mr Cherry continues.
The project that was selected aims to   develop better treatments and strategies to prevent medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma are malignant tumours formed from poorly developed cells at a very early stage of their life. They usually occur in children, particularly between the ages of three and eight and make up about 20% of all    childhood brain tumours.

“We are very optimistic about the outcomes of this research project, as Dr   Thomas’ previous work involving neuroblastoma, a similar cancer of the central nervous system, has given him invaluable insight and knowledge to investigate medulloblastoma,” according to Dr Charles Teo.
Dr Thomas said that, “this fellowship gives me an extraordinary opportunity to do fundamental research on brain cancer.

I am inspired greatly by the support of a highly motivated group of parents and clinicians whose determination will lead to better treatments and possibly the preventing of brain cancer.”

As of last week, my frequent flyer tally was getting close to 2,500,000 miles !! The number reflects several important issues. Firstly, how remote Australia is to the rest of the world. Secondly, the number of trips one needs to make in order to stay at the cutting edge. And finally, the cost I pay when I return to remain in the good books with the wife and kids.

In the last 8 months I have either been invited to speak or have chosen to attend meetings in Vietnam, Morocco, Germany, Japan (x2), Korea, New Zealand, USA (x3) and Canada. I have been honoured with invitations as Guest Speaker at the largest (Japanese Neurosurgical Society) and third largest (Congress of Neurological Surgeons) neurosurgical meetings in the world.

At every opportunity I make sure I attend the sessions on brain tumours. The meetings serve two purposes. The first is to inform the neurosurgical community of our experience at the Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery (CMIN) and the second is to ensure we are keeping up to date with the latest technology and advances in basic research and treatment of brain tumours.

The advances can be divided into those in basic science research and those in the field of treatment, either surgical or other. It would be fair to say that the premiere institutions are throwing most of their eggs into the “molecular/genetic” basket. As with most cancers, scientists believe the answer will be in the identification of unique growth factors or enzymes that are over-expressed by tumour cells, or conversely, natural cancer killer mechanisms that are under-expressed such as the crucial p53 gene.
Indeed, most of the money raised by the CFLF has been directed into these fields. The discovery of these genetic mutations may then path the way to novel treatment regimens. The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas have published an experimental model showing that growth can be slowed by injecting the p53 gene into glioma cells using an adenovirus carrier.

In the field of treatment, there are very few advances that are not available here in Australia. Promising work with dendritic cells (natural immunotherapy) is being conducted in Brisbane by talented neurosurgeon, David Walker, who is partially funded by the CFLF. The international trial of Transmid (diphtheria toxin attached to a vector) will commence at the CMIN in the next few weeks. Innovative minimally invasive keyhole endoscopic approaches to skull base tumours, as popularised by Amin Kassam, were pioneered here at the CMIN.

In summary, I have been encouraged by the amount of research that continues into the understanding and treatment of brain tumours. I can also reassure Australians with brain tumours that they have access to the best treatment currently available and that I will give my personal pledge to ensure that this will always be the case…..pending the wife’s permission!

Mardi Harris Memorial Mile

This year’s MHMM exceeded organiser’s expectations with over 350 competitors participating in the event and raising in excess of $40,000 for CFLF.

Dr Teo also competed for the second year (coming in 4th in the Over 40 men’s mile) and spoke to the crowd about the importance of such events.

Organisers, Arna Colaguiri and Paul Hadfield once again brought together the local Sutherland community in memory of their great friend Mardi Harris, to help find a cure for the disease that cut short her life.

They also wish to thank major sponsors, Pfizer for their continuing support off this great day.

Aaron McMillan concert

Aaron McMillan’s 3rd concert at the Sydney Opera House proved to be a greater challenge than he had originally anticipated.

Unfortunately Aaron was unable to perform on the night due to health reasons. However, the concert went ahead due to the support of several superb musicians including Gavrylyuk, Lukas Opacic, Evgeny Ukhanov, Tamara Anna Cislowska and Clemens Leske performing a programme of Mozart, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Stravinsky and Scriabin

The night was hosted by Margaret Throsby and attended by an audience of approximately 1800 including Wendy Harmer, and renowned artist, Margaret Ollie.

The audience all wore Cure For Life wristbands in support of the Foundation, and the event raised in excess of $10,000.

Myall River Classic

Organisers of the 3rd Myall River Classic, The Paddle For Life, were extremely disappointed at having to cancel the event at the last moment after months of hard work.

Extreme weather conditions (including gale force winds and very low temperatures) on the morning of the paddle resulted in authorities recommending that the race not proceed on safety grounds.

The event still managed to raise almost $5,000 as most of the competitors generously donated their entry fees and organisers Mike and Shirley Eggleton have begun planning for next year’s event.

3 year-old Tamsin was diagnosed with a brain tumour just over 18 months ago. The tumour was surgically removed in March this year, however the tumour, and resulting hydrocephalus left her with fine and gross motor skill difficulties.

6 weeks ago Tamsin joined the Paediatric Rehabilitation Programme funded by the Cure For Life Foundation™ at Sydney Children’s Hospital. She has since received weekly treatment from the Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Speech Pathologist.

Tamsin’s mother, Cathie, commented on the “fantastic initiative” of the programme.
“Tamsin’s progress is now faster due to more frequent input. Our goal now is for Tamsin to be able to walk independently indoors, have normal fine motor skills and speech that is able to be understood by others”.

Cathie’s only hope is that the programme can receive more funding in the future so that Tamsin and children in similar situations can receive specialised treatment without the burden of trying to source and fund this themselves.

For more information about the Paediatric Rehabilitation Programme, please contact Elizabeth Bland on 02 9382 1626 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I am delighted to have been recently elected to the role of Chairman of Trustees and take this opportunity to formally introduce myself to the many Cure For Life Foundation™ sponsors and supporters.

I wish to thank our outgoing Chairman, Mr Trevor Danos, for his stewardship through the Foundation’s formative years. Trevor’s leadership has ensured that the Cure For Life Foundation™ is a vibrant and effective organisation, well placed to fund advancements in brain tumour treatment and research, hopefully one day leading to a cure.

Whilst the Cure For Life Foundation™ is just over 3 years old, it has had considerable success raising funds having just recently passed the $1 million milestone.

Earlier this year, we began funding a rehabilitation programme for Paediatric Post-operative Care at Sydney Children’s Hospital to give children a better chance of leading a more normal life after neurosurgery.

The Foundation has also provided two research grants in the last year investigating brain tumours at The Queensland Institute of Medical Research and The Kolling Institute at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital.
However, our most exciting news was the recent announcement of funding for the $600,000 research fellowship, Dr Wayne Thomas, of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia.

"I am proud of the efforts and achievements of our sponsors, supporters, Trustees and especially the tireless efforts of our Fundraising Manager, Nicole Dunn, and Office Manager, Michelle Murray, and look forward to rewarding your faith and expectations in my appointment to the role of Chairman."

Our goal is to continue to fund research that could make a difference to those suffering this terrible disease.
If you wish to learn more about the Foundation’s work or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at

Michael Cherry

Alpine Classic Bike journey

On Sunday 12th February Foundation supporter Jon Michel competed in the annual Alpine Classic - a 200km Endurance Bike ride in the Victorian Alps.
After experiencing 43oc heat and with only 40% of the 1000 strong field finishing the event, Jon completed the race in 8 hrs 45 mins (10 hrs including all stops). According to him, a “character building episode not to be repeated in a hurry!“
The best news of all was the generosity shown by his friends and colleagues with almost $7,500 raised for the Cure for Life Foundation™ ....an amazing response!
We join Jon in thanking them for their generous support.

Newsletter Archives

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CURE Volume 3 Issue 1

CURE Volume 2 Issue 3