It is run by RPA Neurosurgeon Dr Brindha Shivalingam and RPA Neuropathologist Dr Michael Buckland. Brainstorm was founded in December, 2012, as a joint enterprise between Dr Brindha Shivalingam and Dr Michael Buckland. As one of Australia’s leading neurosurgeon, Brindha has been intimately involved in the surgical treatment of brain cancer, while Michael, head of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s neu
ropathology department, has dedicated much of his professional career to attempting to elucidate the pathological mechanisms which make brain cancers so deadly. Together, they identified a disparity between the impact that brain cancer can have on the lives of patients and their families, and the amount of funding directed towards its research. Brain cancers, while rare, are the leading cause of cancer death in Australians under 40. Unlike other forms of cancer, they tend to strike young and middle aged patients who are at the height of their professional and family responsibilities. Limited treatment options means that the outlook is often bleak. The five-year survival rate for all types brain cancer in Australia is 22%, however for some subtypes, this falls to single digits. Despite this grim prognosis, research for brain cancer receives less than 5% of government cancer funding. This imbalance is what Michael and Brindha sought to remedy when they founded Brainstorm. By combining their unique, locally-focused expertise in one of Australia’s leading research and clinical hubs, they have succeeded in creating a specialised and highly efficient charity. With minimal overheads, access to the plethora of resources afforded by both the University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital, and a team of dedicated and brilliant staff, Brainstorm is able to channel the vast majority of all donations directly to where they’ll be needed. This streamlined, local approach is what sets Brainstorm apart. In 2014, Dr Kim Alexander joined the Brainstorm team. An expert in molecular neuropathology and proteomics, Kim’s expertise has proven to be the perfect complement to Michael and Brindha’s clinical know-how. Through the use of protein analytical techniques, Kim has been able to probe tumour tissue and its derivatives at a higher-than-ever resolution, discovering never-before-seen clues to the pathology of brain tumours. She now leads a research team located at the Brain and Mind Centre in Sydney, and with Brainstorm’s support will be able to continue to investigate these tumours, opening new avenues for treatment. Since its inception, Brainstorm has been fortunate to receive incredibly generous support from a number of donors and fundraising events. The Wellington Brain Ball, hosted by Georgina Cross in 2013 and 2014, has been a phenomenal source of support. Other highly notable events include Brainswim, in 2015 and 2016, Mel’s “Go Grey In May” from 2015-2017, Lizzy Rich and Fifty Shades of Grey Matter in 2015, and the 2016 Brain Benefit. In addition to the above events, their organisers, and patrons, Brainstorm wouldn’t be where it was today without the help of a small number of very generous donors, including Education Online, The Pratten Foundation, The Deloitte Foundation, and Nola Pittorino. These patrons, along with all donors, have helped to create a highly specialised, highly focused charity -- one which is taking the fight to brain cancer every day.
