Students at Kinross Wolaroi School have heard about improvements in treating children with cancer as part of National Science Week.
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Associate professor Daniel Catchpoole from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead specializes in paediatrics and child health and told the students about his work when he visited on Tuesday with the founder of national charity The Kids’ Cancer Project, Col Reynolds.
Professor Catchpoole is leading the development of a Tumour Bank, a collection of small pieces of tumour tissue that are stored and made available to scientists, at the hospital.
“The work of the Tumour Bank means that leading international researchers are studying biospecimens donated by patients from across NSW and making big discoveries that have advanced our understanding of childhood cancer and its treatment for the better,” he said.
The study is being funded by The Kids’ Cancer Project, an independent national charity dedicated to funding leading scientific studies specifically in childhood cancer.
Charity founder Mr Reynolds visited the school in his bright yellow bus, which he’s driving 10,000 kilometres around Australia to bring attention to the disease which kills more Australian children than any other.
“The purpose of our road-trip, which will take us down the east coast, is to tell everyone that science is the solution to finding better treatments and a cure for childhood cancer,” he said.
“It’s vital we get the message out there so more people support the science that will save our kids.”
He said he included Kinross Wolaroi School in his itinerary because during the past five years, the school’s students have baked up a storm and raised more than $2500 for childhood cancer research through his charity’s annual Cupcakes 4 a Cure fundraiser.
“I wanted to come and thank them personally for all their hard work. For making a difference for kids with cancer,” Mr Reynolds said.
People are encouraged to visit www.thescienceproject.org.au and sign a pledge to show kids with cancer they’re not alone.
The Kids’ Cancer Project has more than $36 million committed in funding and the team is committed to helping the 950 new kids diagnosed with cancer each year.