Eradicate Cancer 2020

Cure Cancer: The Importance of Funding Early-Career Cancer Researchers  (73633)

Nikki Kinloch 1
  1. Cure Cancer, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Cure Cancer is the only charity in Australia dedicated exclusively to funding early-career cancer researchers.

 

  • Every 4 minutes, 1 Australian receives a life-altering diagnosis: cancer. That is an estimated 145,483 members of our community this year alone. Further complicated by the challenges of the global pandemic, patients are more isolated and vulnerable than ever due to compromised immune systems and socialisation restrictions.

 

  • The only way to improve the outlook for patients is by investing in trailblazing research and support services.

 

  • In 2019 however, only 11.8% of research projects from early-career cancer researchers were funded by the government, leaving a huge wealth of ideas at risk of going unexplored.

 

  • As the only organisation in Australia who exclusively fund these incredibly talented scientists, Cure Cancer provides vital opportunities for breakthroughs to be made.

 

  • Without our funding, many of the researchers who we took a chance on early in their careers may have been forced to move overseas to continue their work, or leave research altogether. Instead, they are leaders in cancer research globally, whilst still based in Australia.

 

  • Since its founding 53 years ago, Cure Cancer has remained committed to identifying, assessing, and funding ground-breaking cancer research with the best chance of finding a cure, whilst providing care and hope for those experiencing it now. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and neither do we. Our young researchers cover all cancer types, including rare cancers.

 

  • Cure Cancer is the crucial catalyst to future research success. If we do not fund the next generation of outstanding scientists, we cannot create a pipeline of mid-to- late career researchers, putting the future of Australian cancer research in jeopardy.

 

  • By coming together to support out-of-the-box thinking and novel ideas from our brightest young minds, we can make a significant impact and mitigate that risk.