The Brain Cancer Centre was founded by Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer and established in partnership with WEHI.

Launched in October 2021, the Centre brings together the brightest medical research minds to end brain cancer as a terminal illness.

The two organisations have been working closely together for many years, with a focus on investing in vital brain cancer research and with a shared vision: that one day no lives will be lost to brain cancer.

The Brain Cancer Centre was established with an initial commitment of $40 million, including a foundational gift from Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, made possible thanks to the generosity of its donors and supporters. The remaining funding includes a $16 million commitment from the Victorian Government and additional support from WEHI and partner organisations.

WEHI Director and Head of The Brain Cancer Centre Professor Doug Hilton AO said improving outcomes for children and adults with brain cancer required a sustained, coordinated and long-term commitment to collaborative research and discovery.

“The Brain Cancer Centre will provide the increased momentum and collaboration needed to take our vision of ending brain cancer as a terminal illness and make it a reality,” Professor Hilton said.

“By combining the scientific knowledge and clinical expertise of Australia’s top brain cancer researchers and training the next generation of leading brain cancer experts, the Centre will have the best chance of making the long-term and transformative discoveries that will have a real impact on brain cancer patients, now and in the future.”

When Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer founder Carrie Bickmore OAM started her fundraising mission in 2015, her vision was to raise awareness and much needed funding for vital brain cancer research.

Ms Bickmore said she was excited to see The Brain Cancer Centre brought to life after years of fundraising efforts.

The Victorian Government committed $16 million in funding to support Brain-POP (brain perioperative clinical trial program). The clinical trial program will deliver innovative, perioperative clinical trials with paediatric, adolescent and adult patients that will help researchers to create a holistic picture of brain cancer treatment that has so far been missing from research.

Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, The Hon Jaala Pulford MP, said the Victorian Government investment would be used to deliver a globally unique program set to save the lives of more children, adolescents and adults.

“We urgently need to find more effective and curative treatments for brain cancers. As a global leader in cancer care and medical research, Victoria is perfectly positioned to lead this ground-breaking work,” Ms Pulford said.

The Brain Cancer Centre includes research collaborations between WEHI, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Monash University, the University of Queensland and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

The Brain Cancer Centre will continue to drive outcomes in partnership with the Australian Brain Cancer Mission and Cancer Australia.

Join us in ending brain cancer as a terminal illness. 

www.thebraincancercentre.org.au