Research Australia grassROOTS winter 2012

ISSUE ONE03 AusBiotech

04 Baker IDI

05 Bioplatforms

06 Burnet

07 Ingham

08 JDRF

09 Life Sciences Queensland

10 Melanoma

11 National Ageing Research Institute – Beyond Blue

12 National Breast Cancer Foundation

13 National Breast Cancer Foundation Register 4

14 Bupa

15 NeuroScience Research Australia

16 National Institute of Complementary Medicine

17 Queensland Institute for Medical Research

18 Queensland University of Technology

19 Research Australia

21 Skin & Cancer Foundation

22 St Vincent’s Institute Foundation

23 University of Queensland

WINTER 2011–2012

Welcome to our new look member magazine Grass Roots.This magazine is a vehicle for members to showcase their activity in philanthropy for health and medical research, be that either fundraising activity, awards, or the results of actual research funded by philanthropy.

This quarter we have been overwhelmed by the response to our call for articles, and I am feeling a bit like Ita Buttrose. Thank you all so much for your contributions.

At Research Australia we have been focusing on our second Cook For A Cure campaign, where this year we have had a special focus on schools, and getting our Federal MPs involved. We are also busily pulling together the speaker program for the Philanthropy for Health and Medical Research Conference in August. We have managed to secure Melissa Stevens, from FasterCures in the USA as our keynote speaker. This organisation’s ability to rapidly pull together a collaborative team to assist in finding cures for specific health and medical needs is really fascinating.

We are also hoping for a flood of nominations for the Research Australia Awards, which are due in by 1 June, including the categories for Advocacy & Leadership, and The Great Australian Philanthropy Award. If you work with an individual or organisation that you think deserves recognition in these areas, please nominate them for one of our Awards. Visit our website for more details or contact our offices for an information pack.

We have also been active in discussing with government the new Not-For-Profit legislation, in particular, the definition of Charity. Research Australia is continuing to make representations on behalf of the sector in relation to this matter.

Of course, like many of you, we are relieved to hear that the NMHRC funding was not cut in this year’s federal budget. We certainly advocate that philanthropic investment in this area is in addition to, and not a replacement for, Government support.

Thank you all again to the contributors to this new look magazine. Your willingness to share your findings and achievements with your fellow members, and the broader community is greatly appreciated.

I hope you all enjoy reading Grass Roots.

Elizabeth Foley Chief Executive Officer

SAVE THE DATES

• Cook for a CureMay 2012www.cookforacure.com.au

• Medallion Member LuncheonWednesday 20 June 2012 Melbourne

• Philanthropy in Health & Medical Research Conference 2012 – The Funding Formula13– 14 August 2012Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

• Research Australia Awards 2012

NOMINATIONS DUE

1 June 2012

AWARDS DINNER

14 November 2012Turbine Hall, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney

2 grassROOTS WINTER 2011–2012

A message from the CEO

http://researchaustralia.org/events-activities/research-australia-conference-2012-the-funding-formula/





http://researchaustralia.org/events-activities/research-australia-awards-2012.html

http://researchaustralia.org/events-activities/research-australia-awards-2012.html

AusBiotech is Australia’s biotechnology industry organisation working on behalf of 3,000 members in the areas of human health, medical devices, food technology, agriculture, environmental and industrial biotechnology, for more than 25 years.

AusBiotech is dedicated to the development, growth and prosperity of the Australian biotechnology industry, by:

• providing initiatives to drive sustainability and growth

• assisting companies in the outreach and access to international markets through prominent events such as the AusBiotech national conference

• shaping policy and providing expertise as industry advocates

• connecting people through networking events, conferences and professional development courses

• representing and supporting its members nationally and around the world.

Background on AusBiotech National Conference

30 Oct – 2 Nov 2012, Melbourne Convention Centre

The AusBiotech national conference is the premier biotechnology and life sciences conference for the Australia and Asia-Pacific Region, attracting more than 1,100 participants from throughout the Asia-Pacific region, the USA and Europe. Appealing to CEOs, MDs, Executive and Senior Managers of global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies; Biotechnologists; Venture Capitalists; Researchers; Entrepreneurs; Manufacturers; Media Professionals; Legal, Financial and other Service Providers; Patent Attorneys and Licensing Professionals the program will feature business commercialization, emerging technologies and human health presentations from the best in the world.

Event Information

Tuesday 30 October:

Professional Development Workshops; Exhibitor & Delegate Registration Opens; Exhibitor Bump-In.

Wednesday 31 October:

Conference Program Day One; BioIndustry Exhibition & Business Matching Program Opens; Welcome Reception.

Thursday 1 November:

Conference Program Day Two; BioIndustry Exhibition including Trade Afternoon; Business Matching Program and Conference Dinner.

Friday 2 November:

Conference Program Day Three; BioIndustry Exhibition; Business Matching Program; AusFoodtech Symposium, Investment Summit and Closing Reception.

Registrations now open for AusBiotech 2012, returning to Melbourne

Register Now

The biotechnology event of the year, AusBiotech 2012 national conference, is now open for registrations, 30 October – 2 November 2012, in Melbourne. Early bird registration is available now and saves you $250. AusBiotech members receive a special rate.

Exhibition & sponsorship packages

AusBiotech 2012 will see a fresh approach to exhibition & sponsorship packages with new opportunities now available, or we can tailor a package to increase your company exposure.

For more information please contact Misha Prusa on [email protected]

www.ausbiotechnc.org

“…attracting more than 1,100 participants from throughout

the Asia-Pacific region…”

3grassROOTS WINTER 2011–2012

AusBiotech

http://ausbiotechnc.org/

http://ausbiotechnc.org/exhibitors

http://ausbiotechnc.org/sponsorship

Health screening in Australia’s largest study of diabetes, obesity and lifestyle will be completed in June 2012, marking a milestone in the country’s largest longitudinal study of diabetes which will deliver an important snapshot of the nation’s health.

The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study is enabling researchers to track how many people have developed diabetes, obesity, kidney and heart disease and how many have stayed healthy over the past 12 years.

Teams have travelled the country over the past year to test more than 8,300 people in this landmark study, led by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

Participants in AusDiab, who have been involved in the study since 1999, are undergoing a range of tests examining blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They are also being asked to respond to questionnaires about diet, nutrition and physical activity.

The first two rounds of this study have already had a major impact on health care planning in Australia, alerting governments to the scale and impact of diabetes and obesity, with the results translated into national programs for diabetes screening and prevention, and into a better understanding of how physical activity, sedentary behaviour and other lifestyle factors influence health.

In 2010, the AusDiab research team was awarded $2.5 million by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council to conduct a third round of this study, which is one of the largest studies of its kind in the world.

Principal Investigator of the AusDiab Study, Associate Professor Jonathan Shaw said the testing of thousands of Australians “would enable researchers to compare the new measurements with those made at the start of the study in 1999 and develop powerful tools to predict who stays healthy and who is at risk of diseases like diabetes”.

“These tools add to our understanding of the causes of disease and make it possible for doctors and other healthcare professionals to pick out those people whose health may be heading in the wrong

direction, and to put measures in place to minimise the risk,” Professor Shaw said.

Geo-coding has been employed for the first time, enabling researchers to measure participants’ proximity to lifestyle-related amenities including walking tracks, parks, bicycle paths and food outlets to see if this impacts their health status.

The AusDiab Study will now provide data to enable researchers to closely examine the links between behaviour, clinical biomarkers and the natural and built environments.

With an ageing population, researchers are also examining the physical capacity of AusDiab participants to help determine what impact common mobility impairments and frailty might have on communities, highlighting key areas for health care planning in the future.

The first AusDiab study conducted in 1999/2000 showed that one million

Australians had diabetes and two million had pre-diabetes (in which glucose metabolism is impaired but not to the level to cause diabetes); almost 30 per cent of adult Australians had elevated blood pressure or were on treatment for this condition; one in six Australians participated in no physical activity; and more than 60 per cent of adults were either overweight or obese.

The second AusDiab study conducted in 2004/2005 showed that every day in Australia, approximately 275 adults develop diabetes; the average increase in waist circumference in Australians over five years was 2.1cm and every year, three per cent of adults developed high blood pressure.

With the first AusDiab Study showing that two million Australians are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and that figure on the increase, Professor Shaw said it was important for people to be aware that they could reduce their risk of developing diabetes through regular exercise and a balanced diet. To help identify people at risk, Baker IDI has developed an Australian

type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool which is available on the Institute’s website at http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/aus_diabetes_risk/

A modification of lifestyle and eating habits, combined with regular medical check-ups, could also help to prevent complications for people with type 2 diabetes, Professor Shaw said.

For more information, visit http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/ausdiab/ or follow AusDiab’s progress on Baker IDI’s twitter and facebook sites

“Teams have travelled the

country over the past year to test more than 8300

people in this landmark study…”

A participant undergoing health testing at the first AusDiab test site in Mordialloc, Victoria, in 2011 as part of Australia’s largest study of diabetes, obesity and lifestyle.


Australia’s largest study of diabetes, obesity and lifestyle

http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/aus_diabetes_risk/

http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/aus_diabetes_risk/

The national bioscience infrastructure organisation Bioplatforms Australia, will employ biomedical science’s most advanced analytical tools to explore the genetic and biochemical events that transform a normal pigment-producing melanocyte, or melanocyte precursor cell into a melanoma. The multi-million dollar study is led by world leading melanoma research centre Melanoma Institute Australia.

Commonwealth Government investment, through Bioplatforms Australia, will be augmented with a major philanthropic commitment from Melanoma Institute Australia, which is actively raising funds in support of this critical project.

Melanoma Institute Australia was opened in 2012 after a $40 million donation from the Australian businessman and philanthropist Greg Poche AO, the greatest gift by an Australian to a single cause in Australia’s history. Mr Poche has donated $1m to the study.

Professor Graham Mann, his colleague Professor Richard Scolyer, and Professor Nick Hayward, are three of Australia’s leading experts on the biology of melanoma. Together they have access to an invaluable resource for melanoma research: a tissue bank, containing more than 1,550 tissue samples and 3,500 blood specimens and a database of over 33,000 melanoma patients meticulously collected since the 1960s by the Sydney Melanoma Unit (now Melanoma Institute Australia).

A malignant melanoma is a fast-replicating aggregation of out-of-control cells whose genetic and metabolic activity and behaviour differs so greatly from those of healthy melanocytes, that they effectively become a hostile alien entity in the body.

“We’re going to study melanoma as an organism, to see what makes it tick,” said Professor Nick Hayward, a molecular geneticist with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, and one of the project’s leaders.

“We just can’t afford to wait another 20 years,” says Professor Graham Mann, co-director of research at Melanoma Institute of Australia. “We urgently need to understand melanoma.”

The figures, and the trend, are alarming. The incidence of melanoma in Australia, already

the highest in the world, is rising. In females, it rose by 0.7% a year between 1993 and 2003, or 6.8% overall. In men, it rose by 1.7% a year, an 18.7% increase overall.

Cancer is typically a disease of advanced age, but melanoma mainly affects people in their most productive years, between age 15 to 44. Melanoma is the most prevalent cancer in this age group. Although melanoma represents only 2.3% of all skin cancers, it accounts for almost 76% of all skin-cancer deaths. Australia treats more than 11,000 cases a year, and metastatic melanoma caused 1279 deaths in 2007 alone.

The Melanoma Genome Project will be one of Australia’s largest and most complex biomedical research projects.

Its first phase will sequence the genomes – the complete DNA blueprints – of 100 melanoma cell lines from a tissue bank established by the Melanoma Foundation 12 years ago and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. The aim is to characterise over 500 tumours and compare them with what is considered a “normal” human cell.

The task, equivalent to 200 Human Genome Projects, could not have been contemplated a decade ago. The Human Genome Project took 15 years to sequence the 3.5 billion DNA bases (“letters”) of the human genome, and cost some $3 billion when it was completed 2003.

Today, an ultra-fast next-generation DNA sequencer no larger than a desktop printer can complete a human genome sequence in a few days, for less than $10,000.

Researchers will compare patterns of mutation, and consequent changes in gene activity, protein production patterns, and metabolic activity in each line.

The aim is to characterise patterns of activity common to the majority of melanomas, while looking for atypical melanomas that have arisen through rare mutations, or reflect the influence of rare gene variants in some individuals.

Prof Hayward says the aim is to assign tumours to broad classes, for prognostic and therapeutic purposes, no two tumours will be the same because every person is genetically unique.

“A driving reason for the study is that, until recently, we have had no effective therapies for treating metastatic melanoma,” Prof Hayward said. “But we have recently seen the emergence of promising therapeutic agents that target very specific mutations.”

“We have to use our most advanced technologies to pull it apart. A comprehensive, unbiased exploration of every aspect of its development will greatly improve our prospects of making the right correlations, and drawing correct conclusions.”

“Over the next two to three years, we expect to have data on thousands of melanomas, and statistically meaningful patterns will emerge, revealing the variety of molecular abnormalities involved in initiating and driving primary and metastatic melanoma.

“It will reveal common combinations of mutations, and suggest how to deal with them. While we will target the most common mutations, we don’t want to miss the outliers.

“There are more than 20,000 human genes, so we might expect around 10% of patients to have uncommon mutations, and 1% might carry very rare mutations.”

Professor Mann said projects like the melanoma project will generate data sets linking all aspects of cellular biology. “They will be of huge value, not only for cancer research, but for researchers across the biological sciences.

“They will drive biological research for the next generation. With the data from all the experiments we do, we will have 100 times more information about cancer cells, with all their abnormalities, than we do for normal tissues, because of the sheer number of variations.

“They will give us the power to correlate what happens in cancerous cells with normal cell activity. It can be difficult to find or engineer a cell line with a particular mutation, but 20 years hence, you go to the cancer databases, you’ll have comprehensive information on the physical and metabolic effects of different mutations in your gene of interest, for as many as 1300 different human cancers.

“We predict there will be massive spinoffs that rapidly find application across the biological sciences, and in the biotechnology industry.”

Australian scientists have launched the Melanoma Genome Project, a major initiative to pry open the cellular black box of melanoma, and shed light on the mechanisms that drive the development and spread of one of the most dangerous human cancers.

Bioplatforms Australia




Bioplatforms AustraliaWritten by Graeme O’Neill1 with contributions from Andrew Gilbert2, Lisa Sampson3 and Nick Hayward4

1Science Ink, 2Bioplatforms Australia, corresponding author, [email protected], 3Melanoma Institute Australia, 4Queensland Institute of Medical Research

The 2012 Melbourne City Romp, of course!

Sunday 25 March brought a chilly, cloudy morning to Melbourne, but that didn’t deter over 4,000 Rompers, who descended on Birrarung Marr in a colourful, crazy collection of costumes, ready to take on this year’s Romp. The Melbourne City Romp is a celebration of all that makes Melbourne one of the best cities in the world and a fantastic day out for friends and family, but behind the fun is an institution working tirelessly to find cures to diseases that will help save countless lives.

Fighting the Big ThreeBurnet Institute is Australia’s leading medical research and public health institute focused on diseases of poor and vulnerable populations especially infectious diseases such as The ‘Big Three’: HIV, TB and malaria. Together these three diseases are responsible for the deaths of more than five million people every year. The quality of our research and ability to translate new discoveries into tangible long-term health benefits such as preventative measures, rapid diagnostic tests, candidate vaccines and new therapies, have been recognised by our peers and promoted by global health decision makers, including Mr Michele Sidibe´, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

With an estimated 33 million people living with HIV and millions more affected by other infectious diseases, Burnet is playing its part in trying to improve the health of disadvantaged, poor or otherwise vulnerable communities.

More than 400 staff are involved in research and public health programs in seven countries, including Australia, Burnet’s expertise lies in specific infectious diseases of global health significance – such as HIV, hepatitis, influenza, malaria and emerging infectious diseases; women’s and children’s heath; alcohol, drugs and harm reduction; young people’s health; and sexual and reproductive health. What makes Burnet’s work unique is the linking of laboratory-based medical research with field-based public health programs aimed at creating a healthier world.

“While support from organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has made a huge difference, support from the community through events such as the Melbourne City Romp makes a huge difference to our research programs, allowing us to pursue new activities and purchase equipment to fast track our research,” Burnet Director and CEO Brendan Crabb said.

Romp day was filled with fun and enthusiasm, as the clouds parted and thousands of Rompers brought the streets

of Melbourne alive. Melburnians from all walks of life came together in the spirit of supporting a great cause – Romp for a Cure – raising awareness and funds for the Burnet Institutes’ fight against the Big Three: HIV, TB and malaria.

Nik Daud and his team ‘Six of the Best’ were the highest fundraisers for the event. Nik and his team aren’t strangers to the Romp, having been the highest fundraisers in the 2010 event too. Another big congratulations to ‘Six of the Best’ who beat all other City Romp participants to the chase, using their collective brainpower to solve the clues and checkpoint challenges. Nik and his team walked away with over $4,500 of Garmin products.

This year’s Romp also celebrated the unique style and kooky costumes teams were wearing when they hit the streets of Melbourne on Romp day. Melbourne Central Fashions at the Romp judges, Emily Power, Nick Bracks, Damien Bodie

and Melissa Bergland, awarded Chris Gale and Simon Bainbridge –the two members of team Big Bubba’s Rompy Burger Girls – with a $1,000 fashion wardrobe from Melbourne Central each, with plenty of other Melbourne Central vouchers going to other participants.

A host of celebrities were also on hand to lend their support, including Romp Ambassadors Nick Bracks, Issac Smith, Emily Power and Leah de Niese, who even convinced 2011 Masterchef contestants Matt Beyer and Ellie Paxton-Hall to complete the Romp with her!

Burnet’s Director and malaria researcher, Professor Brendan Crabb was there on the day encouraging Rompers to fundraise in support of Burnet’s medical research and public health programs into the ‘Big Three’: HIV, TB and malaria. “Together these diseases cause the deaths of more than five million people each year, many of them young children,” he said.

“One of the biggest hurdles facing medical research is the lack of funding. But the generous support from the community through events such as the Melbourne City Romp allows us to pursue new research and public health activities.”

For more information on how you or your organisation can become involved in the Melbourne City Romp or the Burnet Institute, please contact [email protected] Or call Sarah on (03) 8506 2387.

www.burnet.edu.au

Big Bubba’s Rompy Burger Girls, winners of Fashions at the Romp.

“…over 4,000 Rompers, who descended on Birrarung Marr in a colourful, crazy collection of costumes, ready to take on

this year’s Romp.”


What do a group of nuns, a team of Smurfs and a family of Star Wars characters have in common?

The Ingham Institute is a health and medical research institute situated at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, NSW. A unique partnership between the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), the aim of the Ingham Institute is to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians by targeting specific disease areas across its seven research streams including Cancer, Cardiovascular Health, Mental Health, Injury, Community & Population Health, Early Years and Infectious & Inflammatory Diseases.

The Ingham Institute was formed in 1996 as a result of generous donations from two of Australia’s most distinguished philanthropists, Bob Ingham (AO) and Lady Mary Fairfax. This was later combined with the support of the government and the community. As Founding Benefactor, Bob Ingham’s vision was to create much needed medical research facility that would put the spotlight on Sydney South West and create hope for all Australians living with critical diseases.

2012 is set to be a big year for the Ingham Institute as it prepares for the official launch of its $50 million research precinct in October 2012. An initiative funded by the Australian Government, the newly developed Ingham Institute will provide a base to its 200 researchers who are currently working across Liverpool, Bankstown, Fairfield, Campbelltown and Camden Hospitals in NSW.

With a unique and modern design that is perfectly tailored to the working environments of today’s researcher, the Ingham Institute research precinct will provide the latest, high-tech amenities and equipment to enable faster and more efficient clinical outcomes that will travel from the bench, to the bedside, through to the wider community.

The Ingham Institute’s Research Director, Professor Michael Barton (OAM )added “The newly built Ingham Institute will set new benchmarks in medical research not only here in Sydney but also on the global and national stages.”

Renowned for a number of significant achievements and awards across its seven research streams, the Ingham Institute’s Cancer Research stream shone brightly in 2011 with the awarding of a top up $5.7 million program grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for the much -awaited MRI-Linac project for cancer therapy.

A pinnacle point of the new development, the MRI-Linac will be housed in the Research Bunker which forms part of the Institute’s new research precinct. An Australian-first and one of only three in the world, the MRI-Linac will combine an MRI with a linear accelerator to more accurately locate tumours during a radiation therapy treatment session in real time, offering greater potential of improving patient cancer treatment outcomes. The Ingham Institute will be the first medical research institute In Australia to develop this technology.

“Our flagship MRI-Linac project gives the Ingham Institute a real point of difference in Australia’s research community,” said Prof Barton. “This recent NHMRC funding gave us a big boost in funding to contribute

to both the infrastructure and research elements of the project.”

“Current radiation treatments don’t take into account changes that can occur to the location and shape of tumours caused by breathing, swallowing and other normal body changes. The MRI-Linac will enable us to target the tumour with the radiation beam much more accurately in real-time and improve patient outcomes.”

The Ingham Institute prides itself in putting translational research into practice. Evidence of this is the development of the Clinical Skills Training and Simulation Centre, another focal point of the new precinct.

According to Associate Professor Greg Kaplan, the Ingham Institute’s Chief Operating Officer the newly developed Clinical Skills Centre “will provide outstanding hands-on training for clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals and students while also giving them a place to collaborate and learn from each other rather than just working in silos.”

Another important building block of the Ingham Institute is the growth and development of clinical trials, an area that the Institute hopes to bolster exponentially due to the culturally diverse population of the area combined with its high disease rate.

“The Ingham Institute is at the forefront of trialling new drugs and therapies through clinical trials which will give patients access to improved and new treatments across a number of disease areas affecting the South West and also wider Australia,” continued A/Prof Kaplan.

Further, the Ingham Institute’s has Clinical Trials Group works closely with clinicians, pharmacy and pathology to enhance clinical trials capability, with plans to develop a seminar series for clinicians and clinical trials staff focused on professional development in 2012.

For further information about the Ingham Institute, its new research precinct and its various research programs please see www.inghaminstitute.org.au or phone 02 9828 4514.

On the cusp of its new $50 million research precinct to service the health concerns of Sydney’s South West, the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research is proving that it’s got its finger on the pulse in Australia’s highly competitive medical research space.

“2012 is set to be a big year

for the Ingham Institute…”


Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research

CEO of JDRF Australia, Mike Wilson, is a man who leads by example and walks the walk... or in this case, jumps the jump.

On the 10th of March 2012, Mike took part in the inaugural national Jump to Cure Diabetes and skydived from 8000 feet, all in the name of fundraising for type 1 diabetes research. He was one of nearly 150 people across Australia who took part in Jump to Cure Diabetes, raising nearly $200,000 through their fundraising efforts.

With his dedication to the cause, Mike even agreed that his highest donor would get to decide what he would wear when he jumped (within reason!). JDRF staff members threw out suggestions ranging from Spiderman, to Darth Vader and Kermit the Frog. In the end, JDRF Australia President Sue Alberti donated $1000 to Mike’s campaign, with the request that he wear fan gear from her favourite football team – a donation matched by JDRF Australia Board Chairperson Steve Higgs.

Mike’s willingness to sign up to this fundraising event encouraged other JDRF staff to take up the same challenge, and make a personal commitment to their organisation. Our National Manager of Community Fundraising, Queensland Development Coordinator, and South Australian Development Coordinator also took the plunge. Staff got friends and families involved as well – mothers, fathers, siblings, partners and other friends of JDRF staff also took part in the Jump to Cure Diabetes.

They emulated Mike’s creative fundraising methods, and went a step further than simply asking people to donate to their fundraising efforts. Our National Manager

of Community Fundraising ran a number of morning and afternoon teas with home-baked treats at the JDRF office, with gold coin donations for each treat.

This commitment by JDRF staff hasn’t ended with the Jump to Cure Diabetes though. With the Spin to Cure Diabetes (http://spin.jdrf.org.au/) coming up, JDRF staff have banded together to create a JDRF corporate team to participate in the competition. They will be competing against teams from large corporate organisations such as Boral, Westpac and Macquarie in a timed ‘spin’ fundraising

event – whoever spins the furthest in that time, wins.

Through his leadership, Mike has set an example for an organisational culture of commitment to the cause. JDRF staff are the best possible ambassadors, and their participation in key JDRF fundraising events sets an example for the type 1 diabetes community to get active and take part.

JDRF is the world’s largest charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

“…nearly 150 people across Australia who took

part in Jump to Cure Diabetes, raising nearly $200,000 through their

fundraising efforts.”


JDRF Australia

LSQ will help to shape the strategic direction of the industry in Queensland and influence public policy. It will also provide members with tools, services, market intelligence and access to an international network of life sciences organisations with the aim of identifying new business opportunities and accelerating business growth.

In a broader sense, LSQ will work to enhance Queensland’s national and international reputation as a centre of commercial and research excellence in life sciences. Unlike other local and national industry associations operating within the life sciences space, LSQ will be an industry-led vehicle, which promotes and supports all segments of the Queensland life science industry. LSQ will be officially launched in June and July 2011.

The Queensland life sciences industry is defined by entities involved in the application of ‘life science technologies’ along a commercial pathway that includes the research, development, manufacture, marketing, technology transfer and commercialisation of products and services. Sub-sectors that are illustrative of the life science industry include human healthcare (pharmaceuticals or drug discovery, complementary medicines. functional foods/beverages, medical devices and diagnostics), animal health, agricultural biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, marine biotechnology and industrial biotechnology, including bio-mining and bio-energy.

Queensland’s life sciences industry has experienced substantial growth in recent years. In the Queensland Life Science Industry Report 2010 it was estimated that total employment grew 27% from 2007-2009, to around 20,000. Additionally, total annual revenues for the Queensland life sciences industry were estimated to have grown by between 24% (lower estimate) and 58% since 2007, to between $3.9B and $4.9B. LSQ will support the industry to continue its growth and generate significant economic and social benefits for Queensland.

LSQ will engage the full spectrum of the Queensland life sciences industry, to assist the growth of individual organisations and industry segments, and to build the profile, capacity and capability of the sector to help ensure long term economic, social and environmental benefits to Queensland and its members. The primary objectives of LSQ are to:

• Develop the industry by supporting local industry forums and providing members with tools to accelerate their business growth.

• Create new business opportunities for members through market outreach (e.g. business development services, event management, a co-ordinated approach to international business meetings) that members cannot readily or cost-effectively achieve on their own.

• Play a leading role in influencing public policy so as to help ensure sustainable growth of the Queensland Life Science Industry.

To meet these objectives, LSQ will undertake a range of value-adding activities for members. For example, LSQ will support

companies to achieve business growth and open up new market opportunities through targeted activities and engagement at state, national and international levels. For research institutions, LSQ will promote its members in international markets to assist in generating new education and collaborative research opportunities. For government, LSQ will provide a conduit to industry and assist in delivering social and economic benefits for the state by bringing industry stakeholders together to share information and develop new opportunities, by promoting the industry in national and international markets, and by supporting the growth of the industry and member organisations in regional areas.

Financial contributions from the Queensland Government and 14 Foundation Supporters provide LSQ with a five year period (to FY2016) within which to become financially self-sustaining

The Queensland Life Sciences Industry and the Queensland Government have endorsed a plan to create a new independent peak industry body, called Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ). LSQ is an opportunity for industry stakeholders to come together and cooperate to grow their businesses and help create a dynamic, internationally competitive and sustainable life sciences industry in the State.


Life Sciences Queensland

As a truck driver living in Sydney’s south west, Jay Allen would never have predicted the path his life would take. In 2008 at age 32, Jay’s life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma.

“I had a mole on my ankle that had been there my whole life, but then it began to get itchy, scab up every now and then, and bleed,” Jay recalls. “I thought nothing of it – that it was from my work boots rubbing against the skin.” But his wife, Janine, insisted he get it checked out and so Jay finally went to the doctor. The doctor insisted that it was removed immediately.

A few days later, Jay received news that the mole was actually a 1.95 mm-deep melanoma and he underwent surgery to remove it. After two major operations, Jay found out the melanoma had metastasized to the lymph node in his groin. “I had no idea a mole on your body could turn into something so deadly,” Jay remembers. “I thought that melanoma was something you just get cut out and then you’re fine. I had no idea it could be so lethal.”

As the most common cancer in Australians aged 15 to 44 years, Jay is not alone. Every year 11,000 people in Australia are diagnosed with melanoma. Sadly 1,200 people will die from the disease.

But Jay was one of the lucky ones. After the surgery, which left him with a 30 cm scar from his stomach to thigh, and chemotherapy, Jay has now been cancer-free for almost four and a half years.

As a frequent user of indoor tanning beds in his youth, Jay was horrified to learn that this was a likely contributing factor to him developing melanoma.

Research has shown that indoor tanning beds cause 76% of melanomas in people aged 18 to 29 years who have ever used an indoor tanning bed1. The ultraviolet radiation (UV) intensity of indoor tanning beds can be 10–15 times higher than that of the midday sun. As a result, the annual dose of UVA radiation received by frequent indoor tanners may be up to 4.7 times those received from the sun, in addition to the UV radiation already received from the sun1.

With the unrestricted use of tanning beds, Jay could not rest knowing that other people are putting their lives at risk through this high-intensity exposure to UV radiation.

Jay became determined to lobby the NSW Government to introduce legislation and ultimately ban tanning beds. In 2010, Frank

Sartor, the former Minister for Cancer and the Environment, agreed to introduce legislation banning users under the age of 30 years. However, with a change in government, the proposed changes to the regulation were discarded.

Disheartened by the news, Jay and his supporters chose to not give up the fight. Instead he fought harder to campaign against the use of commercial tanning beds.

On 4th February 2012, Jay finally won his battle: Environment Minister Robyn Parker made an announcement at Melanoma Institute Australia that the NSW State Government would ban commercial solaria tanning units effective from December 31, 2014. The decision was groundbreaking: Australia was the second country in the world, after Brazil, to pass the legislation.

Melanoma changed Jay’s life and has set him on a different path. His close call with melanoma ignited a passion to spread awareness of the disease and to

help others in the same situation. Jay is now campaigning with people from all over Australia to have sunbeds banned in every state.

Jay also facilitates melanoma support groups throughout NSW and works for Melanoma Institute Australia part-time, spreading the awareness message to the broader community. He is also involved in fundraising to support vital research at the Institute, hoping that one day there will be a cure for this deadly disease that nearly cost him his life.

Melanoma Institute Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated

to preventing and curing melanoma through innovative, world-class research, treatment and education programs. Based in the Poche Centre, the world’s largest melanoma research and treatment centre, Melanoma Institute Australia relies on the generosity of individuals, organisations and government funding to continue its ground-breaking work into this potentially devastating cancer.

To support Melanoma Institute Australia and Jay’s work, visit www.melanoma.org.au.

1Cust, AE et al. (2011) Sunbed use during adolescence and early adulthood is associated with increased risk of early-onset melanoma. Int. J. Cancer, 128: 2425–2435.

“…indoor tanning beds cause 76% of melanomas in people

aged 18 to 29 years who have ever used an indoor

tanning bed.”


A Different Path

Additionally, some people consider depression to be a weakness of character and not a health problem, so they don’t talk about how they’re feeling.

However, depression is not a normal part of ageing. It’s an illness, and with the right treatment, most people recover.

A beyondblue funded study by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) titled, Depression in Older Age: A scoping study, aimed to identify gaps in knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety among older people, in order to identify priority areas for further research into depression in older people.

One of the primary components of the study was a review of published literature about depression in older people. This review found that certain groups of older people are more at risk of depression and anxiety, including those living in residential aged-care facilities or those in hospital.

Whilst we don’t know the precise rates of depression and anxiety in older people, it is thought that between 10 and 15 per cent of older people experience depression and approximately 10 per cent experience anxiety. However, the rates of depression among people living in residential aged-care facilities are believed to be considerably higher, ranging from 34 to 45 per cent. Moreover, many of these older people experiencing depression within an aged-care setting may not be receiving the necessary mental health care and treatment.

These figures give cause for concern, however there is much that can be done to improve the mental health of residents of aged-care facilities – such as assisting aged care workers to recognise the symptoms of depression in order to improve residents’ access to treatment, and improving access to primary mental health care.

The NARI study found that several factors contributed to the high rate of depression in aged-care facilities, including a poor understanding of mental health by both residents and carers, a lack of professional training and stigmatisation around the illness of depression. These are all factors

which can be addressed and rectified by education about the illness, its symptoms and effective treatments.

What is depression?Depression is more than just a low mood – it’s a serious illness that makes it hard for people to function every day, and can have serious effects on both physical and mental health.

Whilst depression is not a normal part of ageing, it is nevertheless common in older people and may occur for different reasons. There are certain risk factors in later life that can greatly increase people’s chances of developing depression, including:

• an increase in physical health problems and chronic illness

• side-effects from medications

• social isolation

• change in living arrangements or admission to hospital or aged-care facility

• reduced physical functioning

• particular anniversaries and the memories they evoke.

How can aged-care providers and staff help?The NARI study recommends that professional carers working in aged-care receive appropriate training in depression awareness, diagnoses and treatment, so they have an improved standard of mental health knowledge.

Therese Fitzpatrick, Program Manager with beyondblue, says it’s important for health care workers to recognise the common signs of depression and to ensure older people get appropriate assessment and treatment.

“If an older person is showing common signs of depression (such as loss of appetite, shifting sleep patterns or changes in behaviour) for a period of two weeks or more, aged care workers should ensure that the person is referred to a GP or health professional,” says Ms Fitzpatrick.

Research also suggests that appropriate training in depression can improve carers’ sensitivity in detecting the signs and symptoms of depression, leading to an increase in earlier detection and treatment.

Ms Fitzpatrick added: “It’s important to be proactive in reducing the rate of depression in aged care facilities. Early detection and appropriate treatment is important for recovery. Focusing on positive social connections, diet and exercise can be effective protective factors.”

Other current research studies conducted into the high prevalence of depression in residential aged-care include:

• The effectiveness of “best practice” talking and medication treatments of depression in aged residential facilities

• The effectiveness of group counselling in reducing levels of depression and anxiety in the spouses of people living in aged residential facilities

• Reviews by GPs of antidepressant prescriptions in residential aged care facilities

• The effectiveness of Montessori-type activities in reducing agitation in people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities

• Humour intervention for depression in nursing homes*

More than one million people in Australia live with depression and two million with anxiety, but with the right treatment most people recover.

beyondblue is working with Council on the Ageing (COTA) and other community organisations throughout Australia to raise awareness of depression in older people. FREE information on depression and older people is available from the beyondblue website and infoline.

To find out more about depression/anxiety and related disorders in older people, phone 1300 22 4636, or to download Depression in Older Age: A scoping study, visit www.beyondblue.org.au * More information about these research studies can be found in the study, Depression in Older Age: A scoping study, available on the beyondblue website.

Research carried out by beyondblue: the national depression initiative shows that it is a commonly-held view among people of all ages – including older people – that as we age, we experience accumulative losses, and it is therefore normal for people to become depressed as they reach later life.


Depression in older people, and the impacts on aged-care

A group of Australia’s peak cancer charities has begun developing a national plan for cancer research, claiming better coordination and collaboration is needed to boost progress in cancer control.

The Cancer Research Leadership Forum (CRLF) says a nationally coordinated strategic approach to cancer research funding will enhance support for researchers and infrastructure, and identify and address gaps in funding.

The CRLF is an alliance of national community-supported cancer organisations, formed in 2009 to improve coordination of investment in cancer research and collaboration between funders. Current members are Bowel Cancer Australia, Cancer Council Australia, Cure Cancer Australia Foundation, Leukaemia Foundation, Melanoma Institute Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

In response to the growing burden of cancer in Australia, almost $300 million was awarded in 2011 to Australian cancer research projects, programs, infrastructure and support by a large group of government agencies, cancer organisations and other bodies providing funding.

Over $80 million of that funding came from the community-supported sector. The CRLF believes that a national approach and more collaboration will ensure that cancer charities’ research funding is most effectively used, by reducing unnecessary competition, duplication, inefficiencies and imbalances of funding.

The CRLF, with seed funding from the Macquarie Group Foundation, has developed a discussion paper outlining the need for and expected outcomes of a national cancer research plan. It was released for public consultation in February 2012.

In the discussion paper the CRLF says a strategic approach to funding cancer

research in Australia is needed to optimise use of existing resources, maintain and build the research workforce, develop research assets, and ensure an appropriate balance of funding allocated to research into different cancers and across the research spectrum.

Carole Renouf, Chair of the ‘Towards a National Cancer Research Plan’ Steering Committee and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, said the CRLF members decided to take the lead in developing a research plan because of their duty to their constituents, supporters and donors.

“Our promise to them is that we will use their funds to make the greatest possible difference,” Ms Renouf said.

“We are committed to driving development of a national plan that will, at the very least, inform our own funding strategies and ensure that singly and collectively – and wherever possible, also collaboratively – we make the most of every dollar the community gives us to improve cancer prevention, treatment and care.”

The CRLF says maintaining and enhancing Australia’s international reputation in cancer research achievements requires greater investment in the current and next generation of researchers and research infrastructure. A national plan would also support development of national research assets, such as bio-specimen banks and data registries, and of sustainable career pathways to address skills shortages and attract, nurture and retain talented researchers.

Many current funding schemes are unable to support the creation and sustenance

of long-term, large-scale collaborative projects – often requiring cross-sector and/or international partnerships – that are necessary to advance cancer prevention, treatment and care.

National cancer plans have been successfully implemented in the UK, US and Canada. The partnership between the UK’s National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) and National Cancer Research

Network (NRCN), which produced a common plan for cancer research 10 years ago, has been credited with achieving an increase in annual cancer research funding, a four-fold increase in the recruitment of cancer patients into clinical trials, and more funding directed to specific cancers and areas (such as prevention) that were historically not well funded.

The discussion paper, ‘Towards a national cancer research plan’, is now available for public consultation. The CRLF is seeking input from consumers, researchers and funders.

The CRLF is convening National Cancer Research Summit in September 2012, to bring together key stakeholders to agree on national cancer research priorities and develop a framework for coordinating funding. A report of the outcomes will be published in early 2013.

For further information or to comment on the white paper, visit http://www.nbcf.org.au or contact the CRLF Secretariat at 02 8098 4800.

“…almost $300 million was

awarded in 2011 to Australian cancer research projects,

programs, infrastructure and

support…”


Cancer charities call for national plan for cancer research

Register4 provides a faster and more streamlined recruitment process and gives approved researchers access to a diverse database, including healthy individuals and those with special characteristics.

The first project, the Baseline Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire was launched in October 2011, and nearly 6000 members have taken part. NBCF CEO Carole Renouf

says ’Acceleration of research is exactly what we need now, and that’s exactly what Register4 was conceived to do. We trust that researchers will embrace this new and different way to recruit people for their projects’.

Researchers are encouraged to become a ‘Researcher member’ of Register4 at www.register4.org.au and apply to include their projects on Register4.

Members of the public 18 years and over who want to take an active role in research are also encouraged to join Register4. From the city to the outback, those with and without breast cancer are encouraged to join.

Breast cancer survivor, Sarah Singer, 41 year old mother of two is just one of

the 28 000+ members keen to make a difference to breast cancer research. “If my information can in any way help answer questions to breast cancer, that in turn give a better future for my daughters, then Register4 is worth joining’.

For more information visit www.register4.org.au

Tens of thousands of Australians have volunteered to participate in breast cancer research via Register4. The online initiative of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), called Register4, aims to find a cure for breast cancer by matching researchers and people willing to participate in their studies.

“Breast cancer survivor, Sarah Singer, 41 year old

mother of two is just one of the 28 000+ members keen to

make a difference…”


Fast tracking research with Register4

Advancements in long-term health issues such as skin cancer, autism, mental illness, sleep apnoea and macular degeneration may be closer following the announcement of the Bupa Health Foundation 2012 Health Awards.

Over the past seven years, Bupa Health Foundation, one of the country’s leading charitable organisations dedicated to health, has invested around $19 million into health research and health programs.

“Bupa Health Foundation invests in initiatives and partners that have the potential to make a real difference to improving Australian health and healthcare. This support means that great ideas are turned into real action,” said Dr Christine Bennett, Chair of the Bupa Health Foundation Steering Committee.

“We are very proud of our achievements in tackling major health challenges for Australians.”

“The ongoing commitment and achievements of Bupa Health Foundation demonstrate the vital role independent charitable organisations can play in developing forward thinking initiatives that will make a real difference to health and healthcare.

“While government funds a significant amount of health research each year, more and more researchers are turning to the Foundation to support their vital work. We’ve seen an 83 per cent increase in applications over the past 3 years, and are excited to be working with such high calibre partners,” Dr Bennett said.

Bupa Health Foundation’s investment is directed to partnerships that make a difference through translational research, educating the community in health or investing in health programs that impact on policy and practice.

2012 Health Award recipients

Inventor of the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer tackles skin cancer

Professor Ian Frazer, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute

Professor Ian Frazer, the inventor of the cervical cancer vaccine and 2006

Australian of the Year, will examine skin cancers, their precursor lesions for genetic signatures of viruses, and protein signatures of specific immune responses, which might predispose patients to developing squamous skin cancer. Understanding and targeting these viruses could hold the key to developing preventions and cures for skin cancer sufferers.

If proven, this project has potential to influence development of a vaccine for skin cancer with very significant national and international health impacts.

Novel biologic treatment for autism in children being tested – a world first

Associate Professor Adam Guastella, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney

This project will pilot the effectiveness of a novel biologic treatment for autism in children. Oxytocin nasal spray powerfully impacts a range of social cognition and

social behaviour variables relevant to the diagnosis of autism

If proven, this project will offer a practical option in behaviour management and significantly enhance the quality of life for children with autism and their families.

Teaching kids how to be brave now, to reduce mental illness later

Professor Gavin Andrews AO, Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) UNSW at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney

Very recent evidence suggests that children who learn to overcome fears prior to adolescence have a reduced risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders as adults. This program will

develop, pilot and evaluate an online program to empower children in the identification and management of anxiety. . The program can be accessed by primary school children, their parents and teachers. The short-term success of the program will be evaluated in a randomised control trial.

If successful, the program has the potential to be rolled out nationally, providing an affordable healthcare delivery method.

Australian developed, world first laser technology could prevent Australia’s leading cause of blindness

Professor Robyn Guymer, Centre for Eye Research Australia

This study will be the first in the world to demonstrate whether Australian developed nano second laser technology can be used to successfully slow, or even reverse, the progression of age related macular degeneration (AMD) in its early stages. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Australia and is increasing with an ageing population. While there are treatments available, there is no cure and there is usually a need for ongoing injections into the eye, which does not prevent eventual vision loss.

National approach to reducing impact of hip fractures

Associate Professor Jacqueline Close, Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales

There are approximately 17,000 new hip fractures in Australia each year. A hip fracture is a devastating event for an older person causing poor functional outcomes, loss of independence, impaired quality of life, and often results in entry into residential aged care facilities.

This project will develop national guidelines and quality standards for care of hip fracture patients and design a national hip fracture registry. This will monitor practice and standards of care with the ultimate goal of achieving maximal recovery for hip fracture sufferers and minimising the incidence of further falls and fragility fractures.

Bupa Health Foundation announces winners of 2012 Health Awards

“…Bupa Health Foundation, one of the country’s leading

charitable organisations dedicated to health, has

invested around $19 million into health research and

health programs. “


Australian health initiatives to receive $2.5m boost

Study to examine maternal Vitamin D in pregnancy and childhood

Associate Professor Julie Pascoe, Deakin University

This project extends a study initiated in 2002 which demonstrated that maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) (Vitamin D) levels during late gestation was associated with infant long bone length at birth. The infants in this birth cohort turn nine between 2011 and 2013. This study will assess the group whose mothers had known Vitamin D status in pregnancy to detect changes and outcomes in bone health since birth, and inform public policy on Vitamin D during pregnancy.

Screening for under-recognised yet growing chronic health problem to improve

Professor Paul Zimmet AO, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute

This program will develop a more accessible and less costly pathway for screening for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which affects up to 24 per cent of men and 9 per cent women (nearly two million Australians). Undiagnosed OSA is a currently a major problem due to its lack of awareness among the community and health professionals, and limited screening access.

A more accessible and less costly pathway for screening is the first step

towards addressing the heavy toll OSA has on community health. Health benefits include improved sleep, reduced daytime sleepiness, and better management (and possibly prevention) of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart failure.

Consumers to be better informed when it comes to health decisions

Carol Bennett, Consumers Health Forum of Australia

This project aims to empower consumers and provide them with resources which assist them make informed healthcare decisions. The project will review current evidence regarding informed consent and informed financial consent when receiving healthcare; consult with Australians about these issues and identify areas for improvement; scope existing resources and develop new resources to fill gaps; and work with health organisations to improve practice.

Total grants awarded: $2,494,252

For more information please visit www.bupa.com.au/foundation

Research volunteers at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) play a critical role in helping us advance our understanding of many brain conditions. Valerie Ardler participates in our healthy ageing research.

Long time La Perouse resident, Valerie Ardler, hasn’t quite gotten used to being called an elder by her community. She is, as she puts it, “not that old yet!” A member of the ‘La Pa’ Aboriginal community, Valerie has lived in this southern Sydney suburb for most of her life. At 67, Valerie has survived breast cancer, a double mastectomy and triple bypass surgery. Her mind and memory, however, are still sound. “There’s a lot of memory problems going around now,” she says. “That’s one thing I wouldn’t like to get.”

Valerie is a participant in NeuRA’s Koori Growing Old Well Study. With the help of

600 Aboriginal participants aged 60+ years in NSW, the study is looking at what leads some Indigenous Australians to develop age-related problems like memory loss and dementia.

Valerie says that, as an elder, she feels it’s her responsibility to get people thinking about their health. “At first, when I had cancer, people were uncomfortable because they didn’t know how to talk to me. Now people can see how good I’ve come and when I tell them, they go and get a check-up.”

For Valerie, participating in research is one more way to promote the value of keeping healthy to her community. “I’m just glad that

I can be helpful, because they need to find out these things about health and getting older. Otherwise, how are they going to learn, especially about my people?”

At NeuRA, we have recently launched a research volunteer registry to recruit healthy people to participate in our research. Although our research at NeuRA focuses on disorders of the brain and nervous system, healthy volunteers are essential as a comparison group to measure changes in affected individuals. The volunteer registry is just one of the ways that we engage the community in our organisation’s activities. Find out more at www.neura.edu.au

LEFT TO RIGHT Front Row – Professor John Wark, University of Melbourne (co-investigator Deakin

University);Professor Gavin Andrews AO; Professor Robyn Guymer; Professor Paul Zimmet AO; Associate Professor Jacqueline Close; Ms Carol Bennett. Back Row – Professor Ian Frazer; Professor Peter Soyer, co-investigator University of Queensland; Stephen Murby, Chair, Consumers Health Forum of Australia; Professor Ian Hickie, Brain and Mind Research Institute


Recruiting research volunteers at NeuRA

This funding will ensure NICM can continue to drive the complementary medicine research sector in Australia and provide a vital link between researchers, practitioners, industry and government.

The major part of the funding has been received from the privately owned Jacka Foundation of Natural Therapies (JFNT). Their $2 million bequest will be used to establish The Jacka Foundation Chair in Complementary Medicine in partnership with the University of Western Sydney (UWS). UWS has committed to endowing the Professorial Chair to support research undertaken by NICM. The Chair will oversee NICM operations and provide clear, expert support for research development and integration of evidence-based complementary medicine into healthcare services.

Leading companies Flordis, Blackmores and Catalent will become supporting partners of NICM, each committing additional financial support.

According to NICM’s interim executive director Professor Alan Bensoussan, the landmark donation from JFNT combined with industry and university support will secure NICM as a strong, national agency for Australia.

“This is an extraordinary gift and it is truly exciting to see this level of philanthropic support for complementary medicine research in Australia,” said Professor Bensoussan. “Our supporting partners recognise the importance of NICM’s work and the need for a national agency.”

“Our primary goal will still be to increase the integration of well-evidenced complementary medicine into routine healthcare by enabling translation of evidence into clinical practice and relevant policy to benefit the health of all Australians,” he continued.

NICM will continue to work alongside government and other industry agencies to guide sector reform and policy development, review and develop clinical practice guidelines, disseminate information on relevant evidence-based research and encourage further investment in the sector.

Priority will be given to the identification and refinement of research priorities and the development of clinical guidelines. Further studies on the cost effectiveness of complementary medicines in the prevention and treatment of a range of health conditions will also be undertaken.

Ongoing philanthropic support for complementary medicine research is critically needed in order to build and support the scientific evidence base.

Complementary medicine at a glanceThe complementary medicine (CM) sector is an important contributor to the Australian economy. It is a $3.1b industry that provides employment for 29,000 Australians. It is estimated that 2 in 3 Australians use CM each year and 42% do so to prevent or manage chronic conditions identified as national health priorities. This is one of the highest consumption rates per capita in developed nations and the CM sector is expected to continue to grow at 6 percent per annum over the next few years.

These high usage rates have lead to 90 percent of medical practitioners expressing an interest in increasing their understanding of CM. There is also growing evidence that CM can make a significant, cost-effective contribution to chronic (non-communicable) diseases. There is a need to strengthen this evidence and identify and utilise validated interventions.

Australia has significant strengths in complementary medicine research. However, there is a pressing need to build critical mass and better co-ordinate research effort.

The National Health and Medical Research Council 2010-2012 Strategic Plan includes a focus on examining the evidence underlying the alternative medicines most highly used in order to provide advice to assist informed decision-making and improved self-management.

Development of NICMThe National Institute was established at the University of Western Sydney in 2007 after a decade of agitation by researchers and industry to have a coordinating, oversight agency that could contribute to policy development, national research priorities, clinical guidelines development and many other aspects that were desperately needed in the field. NICM was seeded with two years of funding in a joint, bipartisan support from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

During its first three years of operation NICM established three Collaborative Centres with

additional industry funding, demonstrated the cost effectiveness of a range of complementary medicine interventions in collaboration with Access Economics, funded several integrative healthcare pilot studies (two with the National Breast Cancer Foundation) and galvanised a $75M strong Cooperative Research Centre bid. The Institute has provided the vital link between researchers, practitioners, industry and government.

The Collaborative Centres have supported the professional development of 13 PhD students and 21 postdoctoral fellows and research associates. NICM has made significant progress in advancing a collaborative approach to complementary medicine research aligned with national health priorities. It has also established a reputation as an independent, authoritative voice for the complementary medicine sector.

Over the next three years (2012-14) NICM will focus on guiding sector reform, including creating better incentives to invest in research and improved integration of evidence-based interventions into mainstream practice. The Institute will continue to identify and refine national research priorities, contribute to the development of clinical practice guidelines and work alongside government, consumers, industry and other stakeholders to strengthen relevant policy.

The Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies (JFNT)JFNT is a not-for-profit company and charitable fund that aims to improve awareness, understanding and use of natural therapies within the Australian community and to improve the knowledge and educational base underpinning their use. It was formally established in May 2010 by a company of members of the previous entity, the Southern School of Natural Therapies Ltd, who have a long history of involvement in complementary medicine education.

The Foundation’s key goals include supporting relevant research and educational activities that improve understanding and effective utilisation of complementary medicine. JFNT’s support of NICM is its single biggest investment in complementary medicine and demonstrates its support for the integration of evidence-based complementary medicine into mainstream healthcare.

In a major boost to the complementary medicine research sector the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) has received $2.9 million in funding from philanthropic and industry supporters.


$2.9 million committted to complementary medicine research sector

History was made in Brisbane during August 2011. Australia/Queensland’s single largest fundraising event took place raising $4.7 million for cancer research at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research (QIMR).

Charity based cycle rides are nothing new, but the inaugural annual Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer offered participants something different. Riders were asked to not only ride 200 kilometres over two days and camp overnight at Somerset Dam, they also had to raise $2500 to participate in this groundbreaking event.

QIMR’s Senior Manager External Relations, Vivienne Johnson said participating in the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer was a big commitment for riders.

“Raising $2500 and riding 200 kilometres is no mean feat, but it is small compared to those battling cancer,” Ms Johnson said.

“Those that rode, volunteered or donated to our riders have made an enormous impact in supporting the vital cancer research we undertake at the Institute.”

With one in two Australians developing cancer in their lifetime, the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer was a powerful call to action with funds raised from the two-day cycling event supporting a wide range of cancer research projects at QIMR – one of Australia’s largest and most successful medical research institutes.

QIMR’s Director, Professor Frank Gannon said the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer was a wonderful event that attracted support and participants from all walks of life.

“People rode to support friends or family that were battling cancer, in the memory of loved ones lost to cancer or because they had battled or were battling cancer themselves,” Professor Gannon said.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the amazing support from the community. To look out on that early Saturday morning in August and see over 1300 riders, their families and friends and the many volunteers that helped make the event happen was truly humbling and amazing.

“And what is even more exceptional is that QIMR now has projects that can make a difference to the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of many different types of cancer underway.”

QIMR currently has 36 projects being carried out researching a range of cancers including breast and ovarian cancer, bowel cancer, blood cancers such as leukaemia, brain cancer and skin cancers including melanoma.

Professor Gannon said that QIMR’s vital research relies on the support of the community and corporate sponsors such as Rio Tinto, who were title sponsors for the event.

“Rio Tinto’s support actually allowed us to get this event off the ground and helped us create history by holding the inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer event in Australia,” Professor Gannon said.

“We were extremely grateful to all the riders and their supporters, Rio Tinto, and all the encouragement and best wishes we received from members of the community during the ride.

“On behalf of QIMR I want to thank everyone who has been involved –

including the volunteers and crew who made the event possible and the thousands of people who have donated generously to our dedicated riders.

“We are gearing up for our second ride and looking forward to seeing last year’s participants joining in again and welcoming new riders to this wonderful community event that will help bring better outcomes to those suffering cancer.”

The second annual Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting QIMR is being held 18-19 August 2012. To register call 1300 117 433 or visit www.conquercancer.org.au.

QIMR gratefully acknowledges all event sponsors Rio Tinto, Sunsuper, Ausenco, Scody, Dibbs Barker, VWR, Excel, The Villager, Simon George & Sons, Channel Ten, and Triple M.

“Raising $2500 and riding

200 kilometres is no mean feat,

but it is small compared to those battling

cancer…”


Queensland Institute of Medical Research

The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) at Queensland University of Technology recently completed a study into how and why Australians structure their giving, supported by the Perpetual Foundation, the EF and SL Gluyas Trust and the Edward Corbould Charitable Trust. The Foundations for Giving report is based on 40 in depth interviews conducted during 2010 and 2011. It offers fascinating insights into the journey undertaken by individuals, families and companies that make the decision to create a structure for their philanthropy. A broad range of types of structures was reported, including private ancillary funds, corporate foundations, and management accounts within community foundations and trustee companies.

Four key themes emerged from the study:

• Why does philanthropy happen? the power of values;

• Decision moments – events, people, choices and influences;

• Procedural and operational decisions; and

• The environment around giving.

Looking within the theme of procedural and operational decisions, this article reports the study’s findings regarding collaborative funding from trusts and foundations, and the role this joint funding plays for philanthropists.

Recent U.S. research in this area (Major 2011) identifies the two main benefits for nonprofit organisations of co-funding by trusts and foundations as being: more money through the influence of philanthropists on each other’s grantmaking; and more efficient money through lower administration costs for both grantmakers and grantees.

Respondents in the Foundations for Giving Australian study generally speak enthusiastically about working with other philanthropic funders, business partners and/or government to fund NPOs and projects. They draw inspiration from their peers, and are keen to learn from sharing experiences. However, they raise some organisational issues to be overcome.

On the positive side, collaboration is seen as leading to greater confidence in grantmaking. Respondents gained skills and knowledge from others who were more experienced givers.

I guess I had the comfort there that they already knew about it. There were other organisations involved so it was a simple thing for me to say, yep I’d like to – count me in I’ll sort of – I’ll chip in for that one too. So that’s happened over a few years now.

The idea of less duplication of effort is also attractive to grantmakers, when they trust the judgement of their co-funders. This applies both to the work of grant making, and to the programs and services by charitable and nonprofit organisations.

Oh, definitely. Yeah, particularly if it’s somebody that I respected. The fact that they’ve done due diligence, and they’ve been convinced it was good, that would actually short circuit a lot of the due diligence that I’d need to do.

I know one thing that’s probably going to eventuate because it’s certainly been big in just general charities themselves and that is just the overload of the people trying to do the same thing.

...we’re mindful of that cross-over with the other foundations...there are many foundations already in existence and...we’ll probably play different roles in different regions...we may not want to duplicate those relationships, we might try to actually partner with potentially with that organisation.

Those interviewed also see that collaborative funding could result in higher total funding for the beneficiary. Bringing other funders ‘to the party’ is also seen as a way for a smaller foundation to make a meaningful difference to a charitable organisation through this form of advocacy.

There’s a colleague of mine who’s also got a substantial foundation, and ...we basically made a decision that between us and in principle we will fund things where we can together as a way of actually getting larger amounts into the hands of projects that we think are really good projects.

... we convened a meeting of a number of people and had a presentation, and that helped provide the resources.

We helped generate much larger amounts from ... a trust with much more resources to give.

The concept of ‘matching funding’ was also raised by some respondents, where there is a link to a workplace giving program or to government funding. Finally,

respondents highlighted a social benefit from collaborative funding, resulting in a sense of collegiality with peers.

You know, more PAFs should get together and maybe do things a little bit together maybe to save some time and energy. If you’ve got like minded friends that have maybe set them up, think about supporting the same sorts of charities, that sort of thing.

On the negative side, the interviewees highlight potential issues and challenges when funding collaboratively. These include the difficulty of identifying suitable partners to collaborate with on a particular grant.

I’m hoping that I might be able to find a partner who might match the amount that I’ve given to the [name of national arts organisation] to make it a bigger fund... That’s a slow process. I’m looking into it. It’s not easy for me to locate, but anyway, I’m working on that.

Other respondents identified the challenge of ensuring co-operation at all levels within the co-funding organisations.

So it’s very fickle and working with other trusts and foundations you’ve got to work...not only at the employee level, you’ve got to work at the trustee level. Even then you could get to the final line and not get a resolution because of quirky circumstances.

There are also logistical issues, such as the timing of grant rounds to be overcome.

But it’s not easy to organise. Different organisations do funding – do it quarterly. We do it annually. Ours is 30 June, some are 31 December. So you’ve got all sorts of – and we can’t really do our distribution until we’ve finalised what our...accountant says in the will you know. The income has got to be determined in accordance with and signed off by the auditors, and the best will in the world, you can’t do that much before 30 September or 30 June.

In an environment where philanthropy in this country becomes gradually more open and less siloed with each passing year, the possibilities of collaboration are an important topic for both the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors to consider.

For interested readers, the full Foundations for Giving report can be downloaded from QUT’s ePrints service http://eprints.qut.edu.au/48801/

“...collaboration... we should do that a bit more, or we should look at that a bit more, I’d like to. But you’ve got to bite off small chunks.”

References:Major, D. (2011). How Can Grantmakers Aggregate Resources to Grow Impact? Reframing the conversation: A GEO Briefing Paper Series on Growing Social Impact. No. 6. Washington D.C., Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. http://www.geofunders.org/storage/documents/GEO_SWW_AggregateResourcesToGrowImpact.pdf


Collaborative giving in Australian philanthropyBy Alexandra Williamson and Wendy Scaife

Here at Research Australia we’ve been busy with launches, lunches and talking to the community about the many great events they will be hosting to support Cook for a Cure in 2012. Over 80 events have already been registered to support one of the 13 health and medical research projects who are our partners and beneficiaries for the campaign.

Research Australia CEO Elizabeth Foley has attended two key events in Melbourne to launch this year’s campaign. The public event at the famed Prahran Markets starred Masterchef favourite Alvin Quah. Alvin cooked his signature Malaysian Hawker Noodles and talked about his personal passion for research, especially in relation to diabetes which he has experience of in his family. Also paying us a visit was Deborah Anderson of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute who talked about the food allergies and asthma project Cook for a Cure is supporting. Deborah had some sage advice for those worried about food allergies in kids and joined the team handing out flyers and samples of Alvin’s delicious creation.

Elizabeth also toured the research laboratories at Walter & Eliza Hall Institute where they have recently made an exciting breakthrough into one of Australia’s deadliest cancers. The institute’s researchers believe that they have found the Achilles’ heel of an aggressive cancer affecting children and adults alike. Acute myeloid leukaemia is the most common type of acute leukaemia in Australia. Fewer than one in six people with the most severe types of AML will survive five years after diagnosis.

The month of May is at the halfway point, and so is our second Cook for a Cure campaign.

L-R Elizabeth Foley, Alvin Quah, Deborah Anderson (MCRI)

L-R Dr Simon Glaser, Elizabeth Foley, Xania Alexander

“Over 80 events have already been registered to support one

of the 13 health and medical research projects… ”


Cook for a Cure

The study investigating the role of ‘pro-survival’ proteins in AML cells has uncovered what may be the key to new targeted therapies for this and a number of other blood cancers that currently have low success rates with traditional chemotherapies. Dr Stefan Glaser and colleagues have discovered that a specific ‘pro-survival’ protein, Mcl-1, keeps the cancerous AML cells alive and, by blocking it, they may be able to open a ‘treatment window’ to kill the cancer cells much more effectively.

“We found that many types of AML cells were very dependent on Mcl-1 to survive. Without Mcl-1, AML cells rapidly die, which is exciting because it identifies Mcl-1 as a potential target for new anti-cancer medications. We are optimistic that in the future, Mcl-1 inhibitors may improve the outlook for AML patients, who currently have a very poor prognosis,” says Dr Glaser.

Dr Kylie Mason, a leukaemia researcher at the institute and clinical haematologist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, said that she is hopeful about the development of new treatments that could change the future of those facing cancers like leukaemia.

Hosts can register themselves and then set up one or more events by visiting www.cookforacure.com.au

Research Australia challenged the nations high schools, and they respondedA key difference in Cook for a Cure 2012 is the Schools Engagement Program. Upon closing the National Youth Ambassador Program at the end of last year, Research Australia wanted to maintain our engagement with high schools to encourage young people to get interested in science and scientific careers. We wrote to schools across the country asking them to participate in Cook for a Cure and get their students involved. A Schools Pack was also created to make the planning and delivery of events easier, and included a template letter to parents, timeline and checklist, and template event poster.

More than 30 schools have already registered to host Cook for a Cure events, integrating the planning, preparation and excution for these into the curriculums of subjects such as Food Technology, Community Studies, Health Studies and Commerce. Last year’s highest individual fundraiser was Andrew Hasselgrove, a Research Australia Youth Ambassador who ran a bake sale at his school raising over $1,000 in the process. Research Australia is delighted to see so many young people engaging with the important issue of health and medical research and taking positive action to benefit the community.

You can view the Schools Information Pack by visiting the Schools Page on the Cook for a Cure website.

Elizabeth Foley & Dr Kylie Mason

Andrew Hasselgrove

“Research Australia is delighted to see so many

young people engaging with the important issue of health

and medical research…”

grassROOTS WINTER 2011–201220

https://www.cookforacure.com.au/home/schools

The Rotary Club were pleased to contribute $70,000 towards the new facility as the Foundation continues to develop research programs primarily focusing on skin cancer and skin disease.

“We felt very strongly about supporting The Skin & Cancer Foundation with their new research centre. It aligns with our core values and we understand the importance of skin health within the community. We are delighted to see the results of our fundraising and feel proud to be able to encourage and support the ongoing studies and research into skin health,” explains Austen Burleigh, President of The Rotary Club.

Mr Davis said skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it is still the most common form of cancer in Australia.

“The Baillieu Coalition Government is committed to reducing the burden of skin cancer on our community through research, prevention, early detection, treatment and support,” Mr Davis said.

The new purpose-built facility will house the Foundation’s current research team,

led by Associate Professor Peter Foley and the Occupational Dermatology Research & Education Centre (ODREC), headed by Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon. It also aims to attract visiting researchers

from Australia and abroad. The facility will allow the Foundation to expand its relationship with The University of Melbourne, Monash University and major teaching hospitals in Victoria and opens up more opportunities for collaborative research, applying for joint research grants and close relationships in teaching dermatology in Universities.

The new Centre will lead to the Foundation expanding its current clinical trials division

and allow for the increase in educational seminars and meetings. It will also support the research and work of the University of Melbourne’s first full Academic Chair in Dermatology, who will be part time on-site and closely involved with the Foundation. The two way support will allow for collaborative research efforts and specialist training for registrars, GP’s and consultants in all aspects of Dermatology.

The Skin & Cancer Foundation’s Executive Director, Chris Arnold said, “We are thrilled with the generous support of The Rotary Club of Melbourne. This new facility will allow for us to build on our national leadership approach to skin health and continue to support the Victorian Government’s initiatives in reducing skin cancer and preventing skin disease.”

On the 22nd February 2012 the Victorian Minister for Health & Ageing David Davis has joined the President of the Skin & Cancer Foundation Associate Professor Peter Foley and President of The Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc. Austen Burleigh to officially open The Rotary Dermatology Research Centre at the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc.

“The Rotary Club were pleased to contribute

$70,000 towards the new facility as the Foundation

continues to develop research programs…”


Minister for Health opens new research centre

As the Chair of the St Vincent’s Institute Foundation Board I have had the privilege of seeing into the future of Type 1 diabetes research, through pathways to treat, prevent and cure the chronic disease.

Type 1 diabetes affects more than 120,000 Australians, with at least six more diagnosed every day. I have experienced the devastation it can cause first hand, having lost my only child Danielle to the disease at just 32 years of age. Since then I have devoted my life and considerable resources to the search for a cure, which may be unfolding before our eyes thanks to a group based around St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) in Melbourne.

In late 2007, a woman living in the Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverly, Elaine Robinson, became one of the first Australians to be successfully transplanted with insulin-producing islet cells through the Australian Islet Transplantation Program (ITP).

This type of transplant surgery helps people with the most severe form of Type 1 diabetes and is carried out through a consortium involving groups at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI), St. Vincent’s Hospital and Austin Health in Melbourne, Westmead Hospital in Sydney and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide. The ITP Consortium has carried out a total of 38 transplants into 18 patients.

Eight recipients are now completely insulin independent!

Islet transplantation is a therapy for Type 1 diabetes that is currently used when insulin treatment fails. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas ceases to produce insulin, which must be administered several times a day, lifelong, to reduce blood sugar

to healthy levels. In some people, this insulin treatment can drop blood sugar levels suddenly to dangerous levels, leading at times to a life-threatening loss of consciousness through severe hypoglycaemia.

The ITP program is currently aimed at people with severe hypoglycaemia but further research may lead to a more generally available clinical procedure.

Much of the funding for the program so far has been provided by the Federal Government, with the former Minister for Health and now Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott making the

initial $30m commitment. State Governments also have contributed.

These arrangements are transitioning to a new funding model and there has been considerable concern as to how a shortfall might impact on a program which has already been so successful. Through a major contribution from me and other generous donors around Australia, as well as fundraising events like the annual Ball I host each year, we are endeavouring

to cover the shortfall to ensure the program continues to deliver hope for Type 1 patients.

Having had a close association with Elaine Robinson and other ITP recipients I know what a difference it has made to their day to day lives.

All proceeds from this year’s Susan Alberti Charitable Foundation Signature Ball will benefit the Islet Transplant Program. The event will be held on

Saturday August 4 at Melbourne’s Crown Towers. For further information visit www.susanalbertifoundation.org.au or to learn more about the work of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research visit www.svi.edu.au.

Susan Alberti AO is the Chair of the SVI Foundation Board, National President of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Managing Director of DANSU Group.

“I have experienced the

devastation it can cause first hand, having lost my

only child Danielle to the disease

at just 32 years of age.”


How philanthropy is supporting Type 1 diabetes research successby Susan Alberti AO

Mr and Mrs Cyril Golding of Gladstone will help to improve the way doctors currently identify bacteria afflicting patients through a generous donation to the University.

Professor Matt Cooper from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Professor David Paterson from University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) will use the funding to study the genetic code of bacteria.

“This will enable us to recommend to the treating clinician which antibodies to administer to a patient, instead of the doctor having to guess and possibly

use an ineffective treatment,” said Professor Cooper.

A crucial part of the project is increasing the speed at which this diagnosis is made. Traditional methods of bacterial diagnosis can take weeks, whereas next-generation DNA sequencing can currently produce results within two to three days, with a realistic aim of six to eight hours in the near future.

“The first week is critical in treating a bacterial infection and ensuring it doesn’t progress,” Professor Paterson said.

“This project will benefit patients, doctors and researchers throughout Australia. We are very grateful for the generosity of the Goldings for making the research possible. There is still a lot that needs to be done, but this is enabling a solid start.”

Mr Golding was inspired to donate to the research after suffering an antibiotic-resistant infection himself.

“I was never sure whether to believe the doctors when they told me what I was

infected with, because they were just guessing based on my symptoms,” Mr Golding said.

“I wanted a way for doctors to diagnose infections based on science, not guesswork, and I hope this method will prove successful.”

Mr Golding founded an earthmoving company in 1942 and was part of some of Central Queensland’s largest civil works projects.

UQ researchers have begun work on a method to quickly and accurately diagnose superbug infections, thanks to a recent philanthropic donation.

“I wanted a way for doctors to diagnose infections based on science, not guesswork, and I hope this method will

prove successful.”


Donation to help with ID checks on superbugs

www.cookforacure.com.au


www.cookforacure.com.au

Research Australia grassROOTS winter 2012

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