Children's Cancer Institute, Minderoo Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 55 Botany Street, Randwick (2026)

15/10/2026

For some children with cancer, a clinical trial may be their best, or only, treatment option. Yet too often, the right trial isn't available in Australia.

We're proud to share the release of Building a Future of Life-Saving Clinical Trials for Children with Cancer, a new white paper that sets out a roadmap to attract more industry-sponsored paediatric oncology clinical trials to Australia and improve access to innovative treatments for children and young people facing cancer. Children’s Cancer Institute participated in the roundtable that informed the white paper.

Australia has built one of the world's most advanced paediatric oncology ecosystems, supported by initiatives including the Zero Childhood Cancer Program (ZERO), which has already analysed cancers from close to 4,000 children and young people. Yet only seven industry-sponsored paediatric oncology trials were active in Australia in the 12 months to June 2026.

The white paper identifies four practical reforms to help Australia become a global destination for children's cancer trials, ensuring more children can access potentially life-saving therapies closer to home. These include better coordination across the sector, stronger data integration, expanded access through teletrials and shared-care models, and regulatory and reimbursement reforms that better support paediatric medicine development.

Meaningful change will require industry, clinicians, researchers and governments working together. Because where a child lives should never determine whether they can access the most promising treatments available.

Find our more or read the white paper at https://ow.ly/wV8Y50ZXSkb

14/10/2026

This Sunday, we walk for Anya. 💙

There’s still time to be part of the 2026 19 for 19 Challenge, a special event held in honour of Anya Zuber, whose courage and determination continue to inspire everyone who knew her.

Whether you join in Armidale for the spectacular 19km bush walk (or 7.5km family-friendly walk) at Warrane Station, or take part virtually from wherever you are, every step will help support research into osteosarcoma and bring hope to children and young people facing this devastating disease.

We're also delighted that Dr Emmy Fleuren, who leads the Anya’s Wish research team,
will be joining on the day, giving participants the opportunity to meet one of the researchers working towards better treatments and outcomes for children with cancer.

Can't make it to the event? You can still get involved through the online silent auction, featuring a fantastic range of prizes. Bidding closes at 6pm on Monday 19 October.

Sign up: https://www.tourderocks.com.au/19-for-19
Take part virtually or donate: https://www.ccia.org.au/event/19for19/home
Silent auction: https://www.32auctions.com/19forNineteen2026

12/10/2026

Last week more than 230 children rolled up their sleeves and put on their scientist hats when the Minderoo Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre (MCCCC) Outreach team joined the Souths Cares School Holiday Clinic.

From dry ice and liquid nitrogen demonstrations to pipetting challenges and hands-on science experiments, children aged 5-13 had the chance to discover what it's like to think and work like a researcher.

The clinic, delivered by Souths Cares, brought together sport, STEM, cultural and inclusive activities to inspire curiosity and learning across the community. It was a fantastic opportunity to share our passion for research and help make science accessible, relevant and fun for every child.

🔬 Who knows? We may have met a few future childhood cancer researchers!

07/10/2026

Three-year-old Tashy was a happy, energetic little girl who loved dancing, riding her bike and spending time with her siblings. Then one winter, an illness left her pale, exhausted and feverish. Her mum Kat, a paramedic, couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

After multiple hospital visits, more tests than the family could count and days spent waiting for answers, Kat received the phone call every parent fears: doctors believed Tashy had leukaemia.

On 10 September 2025, that diagnosis was confirmed. Tashy had B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). What followed was a whirlwind of chemotherapy, repeated hospital admissions, dangerous complications and months spent taking life one day, and sometimes one hour, at a time.

Today, Tashy is receiving maintenance therapy, but as her family has learned, childhood cancer doesn't simply end when treatment becomes less intensive. The impact remains for the whole family. As Kat says, "How could you ever call a cancer good? It's a whole childhood that just vanishes, and you don't get it back."

Throughout Tashy's treatment, research has provided answers, reassurance and hope for the future. Now, Kat wants to see a world where children diagnosed after Tashy face kinder, safer and more effective treatments.

💛 Read Tashy's story and see why research matters for every child diagnosed with cancer: https://ow.ly/J9rM50ZVelq

04/10/2026

A huge congratulations to Professor Michelle Haber AM, who has been awarded the 2026 Outstanding Female Researcher Medal by the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. The award recognises a leading woman researcher who has made sustained, exceptional and influential contributions to health and medical research, alongside outstanding leadership and mentorship.

For more than four decades, Michelle has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for children with cancer. From becoming the inaugural postdoctoral researcher in Children's Cancer Institute's first laboratory in 1984 to leading the Institute as Director from 2000-2025, her research has helped advance our understanding of childhood cancers including neuroblastoma and leukaemia and contributed to new treatment approaches that have improved survival.

This recognition is a testament to Michelle's extraordinary impact on childhood cancer research and to her unwavering commitment to giving every child the chance of a long and healthy life.

Congratulations, Michelle.

Read more at https://ow.ly/AF5M50ZTNcp

02/10/2026

What an incredible result. 💙

An extraordindary community came together for River's Race, a special event created in loving memory of River Watkins and for every child facing a DMG/DIPG diagnosis.

Thanks to the passion, generosity and determination of River's family, friends and supporters, an extraordinary $240,000 has been raised for vital DMG/DIPG research at Children's Cancer Institute.

River's Race was founded on a powerful mission: to help change the future for children diagnosed with one of the most devastating childhood cancers and give families more hope, more options and more time.

Every step taken, every dollar donated and every volunteer who gave their time is helping drive the research needed to tackle a disease that currently has so few treatment options. Donations remain open via https://www.ccia.org.au/event/view/rivers-race-event.

To River's family, thank you for turning your love for River into a lasting legacy that will help children and families for years to come. We are deeply grateful to everyone who walked, ran, volunteered, donated and got behind this remarkable event.

💙 For River. For all children with DMG. For a cure.

29/09/2026

As has drawn to a close, we want to thank all the oncology families around Australia for everything you've done to shine a light on the devastating impact a childhood cancer diagnosis brings upon a family.

Childhood cancer is so much more than bald heads and a bit of nausea. The vast majority of the population will never truly be able to comprehend what goes on behind the scenes.

It is only because of YOU - the amazing families who share your stories with such courage, strength and vulnerability - that the rest of the world can even catch a glimpse of the depth of this fight.

So to all those children currently facing cancer, to those whose cancer may be behind them but are still carrying the physical and emotional toll, and to those who have tragically lost their children to this devastating disease, Children's Cancer Institute is with you.

Our researchers are working incredibly hard every day...
🔬 To find treatments where there currently are none
🔬 To find kinder, safer, gentler treatments that don't have such a devastating impact on our children's growing bodies - now and in the future
🔬 To discover new hope and possibilities so that parents no longer have to hear the words "I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do"
💚 And to ultimately find a cure for every child with cancer.

If you meet any of our researchers, you will feel their absolute passion and dedication to this mission.

Thank you to all of our supporters for your generous donations.

We believe that together, we can and WILL cure childhood cancer. It's not if, it's when!

Donate today to support our research at ccia.support/CCAM26FB

29/09/2026

Two years after her first visit to Children's Cancer Institute, Novalie recently returned to check out our new home at the Minderoo Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre and to catch up with A/Prof Charley De Bock, who leads our Functional Genomics of Leukaemia Group.

In this moving conversation, Novalie reflects on seven years of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and CAR T-cell therapy, while sharing her hopes for a future where children can access kinder, less toxic cancer treatments. Together, she and Charley discuss why research is so important and how we're working towards better outcomes for every child diagnosed with cancer.

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we're thinking of Novalie. Following a bone marrow transplant, she's currently in hospital in isolation and facing some incredibly tough days. We're encouraged to see early signs of engraftment, an important milestone in her recovery, and we're sending Novalie and her family all our love, strength and support as she continues to heal.

Novalie's story is a powerful reminder that the childhood cancer journey is measured in years of treatment, uncertainty and resilience. That's why Childhood Cancer Awareness Month matters. It's a chance to stand with children like Novalie, raise awareness of the challenges families face, and support the research that will help create safer, more effective treatments for every child.

Novalie, we're all behind you. 💛

27/09/2026

After many conversations in Australian Parliament over the years, last week it was great to welcome Dr Mike Freelander MP to our new home at the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

It was a valuable opportunity to show him firsthand the work underway across the Centre to transform outcomes for children with cancer, including the life-saving research taking place right here in our labs.

Dr Freelander has been a paediatrician for 37 years and has dedicated his life’s work to make sure kids get the best start in life. We’re incredibly grateful for his ongoing support and advocacy.

25/09/2026

There is still time to join CEO Dare to Cure!

Join an inspiring group of CEOs and business leaders who are stepping outside their comfort zones, taking on a dare, and helping to fund the groundbreaking research giving children with cancer access to better treatments, greater hope, and brighter futures.

📍 Sydney | 23 October | Centennial Park

Take on a dare. Together, we can ensure every child gets the chance to live a long, healthy life.

DM us if you'd like to join or know someone who should today!

With special thanks to our Presenting Partner, SHARON AI for helping us to bring this event to life.
And our Major Partners Brickworks Building Products, Healius Pathology, In Vitro Technologies Life Science, media partner The CEO Magazine and Affiliate Partner Abundium. We simply couldn’t do it without you all.

Children's Cancer Institute

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

12/10/2026

07/10/2026

04/10/2026

02/10/2026

29/09/2026

29/09/2026

27/09/2026

25/09/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request