Children's Cancer CoLab

04/03/2026

Are you a childhood or adolescent cancer survivor, or a family member, open to sharing your story publicly?

We’d love to hear from you.

We will be rolling out a national survivorship campaign in the coming weeks to raise awareness of the lifelong consequences of childhood and adolescent cancer, and your story can help shape the future of survivorship research and care in Australia.

👉Contact us here - www.cccolab.org.au/contact-us

Children's Cancer Foundation Kids Cancer Support Group

03/03/2026

This statistic is a powerful reminder of why collaboration is essential. Through our MOU and joint clinician-researcher fellowship with Maddie Riewoldt's Vision, we’re committed to driving research that accelerates discoveries and brings hope to families affected by rare cancers and Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

Every three days, an Australian is diagnosed with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome.

Behind every diagnosis is a family facing an overwhelming and deeply isolating journey.

Maddie Riewoldt's Vision is the only organisation in the country providing tailored support services to patients and families while accelerating critical research to find better treatments.

This National Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Awareness Week, we’re calling on all Australians to Raise Your Voice. Save Lives. Join us in the fight against Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

To find out how you can make an impact visit🔗💜https://loom.ly/wUCviZg

Stem Cell Donors Australia Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

02/03/2026

Children's Cancer CoLab is proud to announce $690k in funding for the Victorian Childhood Cancer Outcomes Registry (VCCOR), officially launched last week at the PICS Annual Forum.

Supported by our major partners, the Victorian Government and Children's Cancer Foundation , VCCOR is a database that securely streamlines information on children’s cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up over time across Victoria's major children's cancer centres, driving cutting-edge research to improve outcomes for children with cancer.

Up to 80% of childhood cancer survivors face long-term health challenges. Until now, the data needed to address this has been scattered and difficult to access at scale. VCCOR changes that, giving clinicians and researchers the complete picture they need to improve care, identify gaps, and support long-term survivorship care.

Congratulations to the incredible PICS team for leading this project.

👉Learn more about VCCOR - tinyurl.com/VCCOR

Children's Cancer Foundation The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Monash Children's Hospital Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

25/02/2026

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 | 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 - 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Children's Cancer CoLab launched with a bold mission to accelerate research, innovation and collaboration in children's cancer care. Today, we're proud to share the impact of our first year.

Our Board Chair, Prof Brendan Murphy AC, recaps the highlights from our first year of operation:
▪️7 research projects funded
▪️3 funding and program partnerships established
▪️29 childhood cancer jobs supported
▪️$5.6M awarded to childhood cancer research

This wouldn’t have been possible without our wonderful community. We thank all the researchers, clinicians, survivors, families, advocates, scientific advisors and partners for your contributions.

👉 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 – tinyurl.com/CoLabReports

Victorian Government News Children's Cancer Foundation The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Monash Children's Hospital Monash University Hudson Institute of Medical Research Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre The University of Melbourne WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Monash Health Maddie Riewoldt's Vision Kids Cancer Support Group

24/02/2026

🗞️The February edition of CoLab Connect is out now!

Read our news here –tinyurl.com/CoLabConnectFeb2026

In our latest edition:
✅ CoLab’s first Impact Report – watch the highlight video
✅ CoLab Forum 2026 – registrations open and call for abstracts
✅ National landscape assessment - proposals invited

Subscribe to receive future editions: cccolab.org.au/stay-informed

Children's Cancer Foundation

19/02/2026

📢 Call for Expressions of Interest | Apply now

To strengthen childhood and adolescent cancer survivorship care across Australia, we need a clear picture of what exists today.

Children’s Cancer CoLab is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) to conduct a National Landscape Assessment of survivorship care and services for childhood and adolescent cancer survivors and their families in Australia.

This project will map existing post-treatment survivorship care, identify gaps and best practice, and generate evidence-based recommendations to strengthen equitable care nationwide.

EOIs close: 20 March 2026
Project start: May 2026
Funding available: ~$150,000 over 12 -18 months

Read the full EOI brief and submission instructions to apply - www.cccolab.org.au/grant-funding/funding-opportunities

Children's Cancer Foundation The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Hudson Institute of Medical Research Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Monash Health Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

14/02/2026

International Childhood Cancer Day – 15 February 2026🎗️

Australia has one of the highest childhood cancer rates in the world. Three children die every week from cancer and 80% of children who survive cancer have long-term effects.

But we're determined to change this reality.

We’re transforming how childhood cancer research is funded and delivered in Australia. By fostering collaboration and innovation across sectors and disciplines, and ensuring survivors and families shape our decisions, we're creating a future where every child and adolescent with cancer can survive and thrive.

Learn more about our initiatives – www.cccolab.org.au

Children's Cancer Foundation TeamRiver Lucy Fay Francazio Bridgette Veneris The Miranda Foundation Childhood Cancer International International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP

11/02/2026

Different perspectives. Shared purpose. Improved outcomes for children and families affected by childhood and adolescent cancer.

The CoLab Forum brings people from across research, care and lived experience within the childhood cancer community together to reconnect, meet new colleagues and build partnerships that accelerate progress in childhood cancer research, care and innovation.

Be part of these important conversations.

Anyone working in, advocating for, or impacted by childhood cancer is invited to join us at the CoLab Forum on 28 May 2026 at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Registration information
Thanks to the support of our major partners, this fully catered event offers heavily subsidised registration fees.
• Clinicians, healthcare professionals and researchers: $30
• Students, patients, families, advocates and charity staff: FREE

Register by 30 April 2026 for Early Bird door prize eligibility.
Seats are limited! Registrations close 21 May 2026.

🔗Register now: www.cccolab.org.au/event/colab-forum-2026

Children's Cancer Foundation The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Hudson Institute of Medical Research Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Monash Health Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

03/02/2026

World Cancer Day 2026🎗️

To every child and family impacted by cancer, to every researcher, clinician, advocate, and supporter working to improve childhood cancer outcomes, we see you and stand with you.

At Children's Cancer CoLab, collaboration is how we create meaningful change. We fund innovative research that meets rigorous scientific standards, facilitate partnerships that break down barriers, and are guided by the lived experience of childhood cancer survivors and families.

Today and every day, we reflect on the strength of our community and the shared hope for a future where children diagnosed with cancer can survive and thrive.

Children's Cancer Foundation World Cancer Day TeamRiver Kids Cancer Support Group

02/02/2026

At Children's Cancer CoLab, we know cancer's impact extends far beyond treatment, especially financially for survivors and their families.
Canteen Australia is inviting people aged 16 to 25 to share their experiences with cancer's financial impact to help shape meaningful support. Please complete the survey in the post below or share it with someone who'd like to contribute.

📢 Calling young people aged 16–25 impacted by cancer.

We know cancer comes with a price tag. Whether it’s your own diagnosis or that of your parent/caregiver or sibling, the costs can quickly add up - from travel and treatment to lost income, extra expenses, and long-term impacts on health and wellbeing. That’s why Canteen is conducting a study to understand how cancer affects young people financially and what support is needed most.

We’d like to hear about:
💚 The money stress you’ve experienced
💚 The support you received – and if it helped
💚 What financial support would be most helpful now

This research will help shape future financial assistance programs and advocate for better support for young people impacted by cancer.

🕐 The survey takes around 15 minutes and participants can go in the draw to win one of five $100 gift cards. 🎁

Please share this post with a young person in your life who may be interested.
Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/49Lcq7S

30/01/2026

📢 CoLab Forum registrations are now OPEN!

Join us on Thursday, 28 May 2026 at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne for a day of connection, collaboration and innovation in childhood cancer research and care.

The CoLab Forum welcomes anyone working in, advocating for, or impacted by childhood cancer – researchers, clinicians, survivors, families, charity staff, students, policy-makers and more.

Thanks to our major partners, we are able to offer hugely subsidised registration fees for this catered event.
• ‍Clinicians, health professionals and researchers: $30
• Students, patients, families, advocates, charity staff and others: FREE

🎁Early bird bonus: Register by 30 April 2026 to enter the door prize draw!

Seats are limited, register today!

➡️ www.cccolab.org.au/event/colab-forum-2026

Stay tuned for program and speaker announcements!

Children's Cancer Foundation The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Hudson Institute of Medical Research Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Monash Health Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

29/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming Kara Nell to our Patient and Family Advisory Committee.

Kara joins us from Western Australia, bringing lived experience as a bereaved parent. Her son Kai was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Karyoblastic Leukaemia at age two and passed away just before his fourth birthday.

After the devastation of his loss, Kara dedicated herself to ensuring no family faces childhood cancer alone. For the past eight years, she has served as a committee member with Kids Cancer Support Group and now works with the organisation, supporting hundreds of families at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and throughout the Western Australian community. She is particularly focused on supporting and advocating for children and families with trauma and mental health recovery post treatment.

Kara also represents families on numerous childhood cancer consumer committees and has supported fundraising for research through ‘Kai’s Big GOLD Ball’. She is passionate about elevating lived experience voices and advocating for whole-family support.

Welcome, Kara. Thank you for bringing your strength, compassion and experience to our committee.

Children's Cancer Foundation Kids Cancer Support Group Perth Children's Hospital and Health Service Kai’s Big GOLD Ball