Researchers at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) have welcomed a major investment in paediatric cancer research, to help increase the number of survivors of childhood cancer.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll announced the establishment of the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium Limited (VPCC Ltd), thanks to a $35 million funding boost from the Victorian Government as well as $10 million from the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Since it was established in 2021, the Consortium has brought together researchers from the RCH, The Hudson Institute, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Monash Children’s Hospital, the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

The Consortium will be led by CEO Dr Udani Reets, with the Board of Directors including former Federal Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy AC as Chair. The new board will also include representation of lived experience of childhood cancer.

_{Professor Eisenstat is pictured alongside Professor Brendan Murphy AC and Dr Udani Reets.}

Director of the RCH’s Children’s Cancer Centre Professor David Eisenstat said the investment will allow researchers at the hospital to make significant advances to increase the number of survivors of childhood cancer.

“Although over 80% of children with cancer survive at least 5 years, those with recurrent, progressive or relapsed disease fare very poorly,” Professor Eisenstat explained.

“Survivors of childhood cancer suffer from long-term side effects as well as increased risks of infertility and the development of second cancers during their lifetime.

“The VPCC will be investing in the RCH’s ability to open more clinical trials for children with cancer, support important survivorship research, and enable the recruitment and retention of outstanding young investigators through VPCC clinician-scientist fellowships.”

Professor Eisenstat will represent the hospital on the new VPCC Consortium Partnership Committee.

You can read the full media release from the Victorian Government at Victoria Leading The Fight Against Childhood Cancer | Premier.