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26-10-08  FORUM TO FOCUS ON BRAIN TUMOUR PATIENTS AND CARERS

Leading clinicians, patients and carers will meet in Sydney tomorrow to discuss breakthroughs and new ways of helping those affected by brain tumour.
The Cancer Institute’s NSW Oncology Group Neuro-Oncology will host the Brain Tumour Support and Education Forum with the aim of raising vital awareness of brain tumours and the affects on patients and carers.

Chief Cancer Offi cer and CEO, Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Jim Bishop AO said the forum will highlight the latest developments in brain tumour research, treatments and support for patients and carers.

“Malignant brain tumours will be diagnosed in around 1500 people in Australia this year and, unfortunately, most patients will die within twelve months and only 20 per cent will be alive in fi ve years,” said Professor Bishop.

“Brain tumour is a truly life-changing diagnosis for patient and their carers. But there is hope with new treatments and research through a glioma tissue bank initiative between NSW and WA, which we hope will unlock the genes and processes associated with this terrible disease.”
Speakers at the forum:
Dr Charlie Teo, leading NSW neurosurgeon and Director of the Cure for Life Foundation.
▪ Marcella Zemanek, wife of the late Stan Zemanek.
▪ Dr Eng-Siew Koh, radiation oncologist.
▪ Dr Helen Wheeler, medical oncologist.
▪ Dr Lesley Ashton, Head of Molecular Epidemiology, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia
▪ Prof. Lyle Palmer, internationally renowned geneticist.
▪ A/Prof Andrew Cole, Director of Medical and Allied Services, Hope Healthcare Group.
▪ Kaye Duffy OAM, former chair of Brain Tumour Australia.

The Brain Tumour Support and Education Forum will be held on Tuesday 28 October 2008, 9am–4pm at the Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh.

26-10-08  CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
 
Brain tumour patients are hailing 2008 as the year for optimism.
 
Scientists in the USA were asked in 2006 to give priority treatment to glioblastoma brain tumours and last month The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network announced the identification of key genetic characteristics which could lead to more beneficial targeted therapies. Another group of US scientists also released information in September about the gene sequencing of glioblastomas.
 
The announcement of the first results of the TCGA’s large scale, comprehensive study of glioblastoma brain tumours and this other research could prove vital in dealing with a cancer that has proved very intransigent, according to Denis Strangman, Chair of the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA).
 
In 2008 approximately 1,300 Australians will be diagnosed with this type of tumour and 1,000 of these people or those diagnosed earlier, will die. The most lethal type are called glioblastomas.
 
Brain tumours can strike anyone, US Senator Ted Kennedy and international golfer Seve Ballesteros, being two recent well-known examples.

Denis lost his wife in 2001 to a glioblastoma brain tumour and has been a brain tumour advocate since that time.
 
The last major breakthrough came in 2000 when researchers identified the usefulness of the chemotherapy temozolomide, when administered conjointly with radiation therapy and for a period afterwards. That was hailed as the first breakthrough in thirty years.
 
In order to raise awareness about the nature of this disease the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA) has organised the Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours and the International Brain Tumour Awareness Week, which takes place during 26 October to 1 November.
 
The World Walk has actually been going on all through 2008 and by the end of the Awareness Week we expect over 100 walks to have taken place. People undertake a sponsored walk and donate the mileage to the World Walk target which is three times the distance around the Earth at the Equator or 120,000 kms . We ask them to donate the funds raised to a local brain tumour research or support organisation.
 
To date, 27,859 walkers in various countries have covered a combined total of 106,159 kms and have raised $4.5m for brain tumour causes. We are in striking distance of achieving our target. This is a remarkable accomplishment by patients, families, caregivers, medical professionals and thousands of others around the world who want to see better outcomes for this devastating disease.
 
The Awareness Week commences in Australia at Centennial Park, Sydney, on Sunday morning when walkers cover a 2 kms route to raise funds for the major Australian brain tumour foundation, Cure for Life, formed in 2003 by neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo.
 
As the sun moves across Australia and the world, other events will be held, including gatherings of brain tumour patients and their families in Adelaide and Perth, and later on in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and North America. (A listing of Australian events and the relevant contact details is available at: http://www.theibta.org/AwarenessWeekAust08.html )

While we advocate for better treatments for brain tumour patients everywhere in the world we are acutely aware that in some of the low and middle income countries the situation can be horrific. Archbishop Desmond Tutu pointed out recently that Africa has only one neurosurgeon for each 1.2 million people, Mr Strangman said.
 
Obviously, many people miss out on the standard of care we would expect in a developed country. The needs of these people are often for access to palliative medications in the terminal stages, such as dexamethasone for brain swelling, anti-convulsants for seizures, and morphine for pain control.
 
In some countries brain tumour patients suffer from unnecessary pain because of a lack of access to controlled substances which could ease their pain. More could be done at the international level in this area, to ease the plight of the estimated 200,000 people each year who develop a brain tumour, 70% of whom are in low and middle income countries, Mr Strangman said.
 
Canberra
Contact: Denis Strangman, Chair IBTA, Phone 61 + 2 + 62583912. Mobile: 0438583912

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10-6-08 Unlocking the tragedy of brain cancer

UNSW and the Cure for Life Foundation are tackling the rising incidence of brain cancer by establishing a research facility in neuro-oncology.

Two million dollars will be spent over the next five years in establishing a Chair in neuro-oncology and strengthening research in the field at the new Lowy Cancer Research Centre at UNSW.

“It’s important for Australians because unfortunately brain cancer incidence is increasing here as well as in developing countries. We have an opportunity to 'nip it in the bud' so to speak before it becomes an even greater health issue,” says renowned neuro-surgeon and the founder of the Cure for Life Foundation, Dr Charles Teo.

“This is an important initiative because historically a lot of ground breaking research has come from centres of excellence. This happens because these centres enable many great minds to gather in one place and create a 'think tank' where resources that are essential to scientific research can be maximized,” says Dr Teo, who is also a conjoint senior lecturer at UNSW.

“We are proud that the Cure for Life Foundation will become an integral part of the research team here at UNSW,” says Professor Peter Smith, Dean of UNSW's Faculty of Medicine. “Initially the research will focus on brain tumour causes and treatment, with a particular emphasis on Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), one of the most aggressive brain tumour cancers.”

The Lowy Cancer Research Centre will be an Australian first, bringing together childhood and adult cancer research at one site. Housing up to 400 researchers from UNSW and the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA), the Centre will be one of the largest dedicated cancer research centres in the Southern Hemisphere.

Construction of the $100 million-plus facility is now underway, with the Centre to be completed by late 2009 

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8-6-08 Zemanek's hope to quell the rise of brain tumours
Sarah Price, Sydney Morning Herald 

THE fight against the rising incidence of brain tumours has been boosted by a $2 million donation to pay for a new research professor at the University of NSW.
A chair in neuro-oncology will be established at the $100 million Lowy Cancer Research Centre now being built at the university.
The donation came from the Cure For Life Foundation, founded by renowned brain surgeon Charles Teo.
Dr Teo said the incidence of brain tumours in Australia was growing. About 300 children each year are diagnosed with brain cancer.
"We have an opportunity to nip it in the bud, so to speak, before it becomes an even greater health issue," Dr Teo said.
Marcella Zemanek, who lost her husband, Sydney radio talk-back personality Stan, to a brain tumour last year and who sits on the foundation's board, hopes the donation will help those struggling with the painful disease.
"All cancer is horrendous," she said. "But I just think this is such a great step forward for neuro-oncology. With brain cancer, most people die from it.
"My story's no different to anyone else who's going through this."
The dean of the faculty of medicine at UNSW, Peter Smith, said it was not known why the incidence of brain tumours was increasing.
"The Lowy Cancer Research Centre will be the largest cancer research facility in the southern hemisphere," Professor Smith said.
"Brain tumour surgery has been very difficult and complex and even in the best of hands, [the tumours] often come back and lead to the death of the patient.

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13-3-08 Latest Gala Ball sponsors announced

We are proud to announce that Emirates, Palazzo Versace, Australian Technology Park, Sydney Cricket Ground Trust and Angove's Wines will be supporting Cure for Life Foundation at our 2008 Gala Ball Music for Life.  The event will feature Marcia Hines, Mental As anything and a host of Australian performers in what should be another fun night of fundraising for the Foundation. For more details or to reserve your table click here

With the support of DDB Advertising, Cure for Life Foundation commenced advertising on television throughout NSW in early 2008.

This is an exciting new phase in the growth of Cure for Life as an important charity, and we hope that this will help us reach our goal of creating a brain tumour research centre of excellence within the next 2-3 years.

More details about the campaign will be available very soon.

Aaron McMillan, internationally renowned Australian pianist and composer has passed away at 30 years of age.

After leaving school in 1996, Aaron gave over 500 solo recitals and concert performances in Australia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

In August, 2001 Aaron’s life was devastated when he was diagnosed with an extremely large brain tumour. He was told that an operation was essential with the possibility that he might never play the piano again. The high-risk operation was undertaken by neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo. Just four weeks later he was performing with the Canberra Youth Orchestra. more 

The Spice for Life Gala Ball exceeded expectations by selling out 2 weeks prior to the event and raising $300,000 from the night. Organisers wish to thank all those who kindly offered donations and supported this event.

For the Cure link  click here to go to the latest newsletter

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