Brain Cancer Centre

“I want people with brain cancer to know that there is an army of researchers out there trying to solve the problem of how to treat brain cancer better”

Dr Jim Whittle is Co-Head, Research Strategy at The Brain Cancer Centre, Medical Oncologist and Laboratory Head Jim is currently leading a number of research projects funded by The Brain Cancer Centre, all with the goal of finding more targeted, personalised treatments for patients.

Starting his career in breast cancer research, Jim has seen the dramatic improvements observed over time when there is consistent funding and a critical mass of dedicated researchers focussed on one problem. In this same period, the emergence of targeted therapy as well as immunotherapy has introduced the possibility of treatment options for many cancers, and Jim believes the same progress is possible for brain cancer.

Now, he’s focused on developing personalised therapies for brain cancer, bringing discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic through innovative trials.

“What is incurable one day could be curable the next”.

We’re so proud to have brilliant minds like Dr Jim Whittle working hard to make brain cancer a treatable and survivable disease.

To bring patients real hope for a positive outcome.

Many minds. One focus

Thank you to a beautiful member of our BCC family Sarah Kelly raising awareness for brain cancer research and the urgent need for funding. Thanks so much for your support Sarah. We really appreciate all you do to support us while on your own brain cancer journey ❤️

Sarah is a fighter. I have the privilege of knowing Sarah for nearly 20 years, and is an inspirational young woman fighting brain cancer.

Our local Beaconsfield resident is passionately advocating for more brain cancer research and supporting the incredible work being done by the Brain Cancer Centre. Sarah has undergone chemo, and has had a large tumour removed - the size of a tennis ball.

We will follow her journey, as she embarks on future fundraising efforts and events. Brain cancer kills more children and adults under 40, than any other type of cancer, and they kill more women under 35 than breast cancer.

Her goal is to see her daughter start primary school. Their pioneering research is a cause we can all get behind. Thank you Sarah.

🤩 What a night! 🤩

A massive THANK YOU to our friends at Dine For A Cure for hosting such an awesome event and raising over $128,000 for brain cancer research 🥳👏👏

Thank you to everyone who supported Dine For a Cure and to the committee Carolyn, Cherie, Hamish, Ros & Siobhan for all the hard work and care you put into this event every year 🙏

We’re so grateful for your support.

Together we can build a brighter future for brain cancer patients and their families.

“We can solve the brain cancer problem - we just haven’t had enough research yet. With the same sort of investment [as other cancers], we absolutely will be able to translate this to brain cancer. ”

Professor Misty Jenkins AO, is the Co-Head Research Strategy at The Brain Cancer Centre and Laboratory Head WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

She and her team are currently researching the power of the immune system to discover and design new therapies to treat brain cancer, while trying to limit side effects for patients.

Huge levels of investment in research of other cancers have directly resulted in increased life expectancy for patients. With the same level of investment, Prof Jenkins is confident we will see the same improvements for brain cancer patients.

We’re so proud to have research superstars like Prof Misty Jenkins who bring real hope to brain cancer research. She is passionate about using the power of the immune system to give patients better treatment options and is determined to end brain cancer as a terminal illness.

What an awesome result 🙌🙌

A massive thank you to everyone who attended and supported The Brain Ball which raised over $85,000!! 🥳

Thank you to The Brain Ball committee Emily, Nadine, Jessica and Kelly for all your hard work putting together a beautiful event to support vital brain cancer research.

We’re so grateful for your support and the difference this will make for our research rockstars and their incredible work.

Thank you 🙏

Congratulations to our rockstar researchers, Dr Gabby Watson and Dr Alexander Davenport (both from WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) who have received new research grants from The Cass Foundation 👏

The BCC has provided funding to both these incredible researchers and it is fantastic to see them now being successful in attracting other resources to continue their cutting-edge medical research.

For Dr. Gabby Watson, this funding will allow her to build a model to answer the question: “can nanobodies improve delivery of promising anti-cancer therapies across the blood-brain barrier?”

And for Dr. Alexander Davenport, this grant will support the creation of paediatric brain cancer models, which recognises the need to differentiate between paediatric and adult brain cancer research.

Funding incredible researchers like these is critical to achieving our mission of ending brain cancer as a terminal disease.

Thank you to our partners WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and their long-term supporters, The CASS Foundation, for making progress in brain cancer possible.

What an incredible month May was for The Brain Cancer Centre!

This Brain Cancer Awareness month was one of the biggest we’ve had, and we’re so proud to share all our wonderful achievements from our community and our brilliant researchers 🌟

Sam, Carrie, and Sean took to the Great Wall of China, running the world’s toughest marathon to raise vital funds for brain cancer research.

Our exceptional BCC-funded researchers, Dr Jim Whittle, Prof Misty Jenkins, and Prof Ben Hogan, received NHMRC grants, recognising them as some of Australia’s top-performing researchers.

Our incredible community came together to support brain cancer research, including The Brain Ball, Dine for a Cure, Lachie Stephenson’s family, Liam Hickey’s Wodonga footy match and Flicker of Hope Kicking Butt fundraisers.

We hosted our annual BCC Funded Conference, bringing together over 70 researchers from 16 institutes across Australia to discuss the exciting developments in brain cancer research.

BCC-funded researcher Dr Jim Whittle and his team understand more about NF with support from our partners at Flicker of Hope.

Professor Misty Jenkins took the BCC to the world at the CYTO 24 conference in Edinburgh.

And the consumer team came together to share their experiences and give our researchers their unique insights.

After such a busy month, we’re so grateful to everyone who helped raise awareness of brain cancer or generously donated to support critical research.

These incredible achievements wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible community!

We’re so excited to build on the momentum at The Brain Cancer Centre and what the future holds for brain cancer research 🧠

Many Minds. One Focus.



Monash University The University of Adelaide The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hospital Telethon Kids Institute The University of Queensland WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation Victorian Government News University of Tasmania Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI

In great news for the brain cancer research community, CAR T Cell Therapy has shown progress in Glioblastoma, reducing tumour size in the first-in-human trial. This is the first time that the cell therapy approach has been applied to a complex area like the brain.

While more research is required, we’re so excited to see progress made and groundbreaking research published.

Our own brilliant BCC researcher Prof Misty Jenkins PhD AO reviewed the article for NEJM and together with another BCC superstar Dr Lucy Gately, provide their insights.

Prof Misty Jenkins believes the approach used by the team of researchers, which uses CAR T cells as a delivery system for another therapy to be delivered straight into the tumour, “hold a lot of promise”.

“It’s the first real demonstration that this “armoured CAR T cell approach” can be applied in a place like the brain. And I think this is really just the start of what genetic engineering can do to enhance cell therapies against brain cancer.”

Dr Lucy Gately added, “While early results such as these look promising and understandably generate significant enthusiasm, further research and optimisation are essential to achieve robust clinical responses that will improve outcomes for this devastating disease.”

Read more about the research progress and Misty and Lucy’s thoughts on cell therapy here: https://bit.ly/3UHtOmj

Car T cell therapy progress in glioblastoma - Oncology Republic Early in-human research shows engineered cell therapy can be useful for solid tumours, but we need more trials.

Content warning: the short film contains content that some may find triggering.

DAD is a beautiful short documentary following three young siblings telling the emotional story of their father, Brandon’s battle with brain cancer.

When Riley sent us his short film we were blown away and wanted to share this beautiful piece with our incredible community.

On April 28th 2020, Brandon had a seizure on his lunch break at work. By May 1st, he and his family were told he had a Grade 4 Glioblastoma Mutliforme - he was given less than 12 months to live. After several turbulent months of radiation, surgery, financial strain and heartache, all while trying to be there for his children, Brandon passed away at just 28 years old.

“Brain cancer took everything away from Brandon and our family at such a young age. Brandon didn’t get the chance to watch our children grow, he was robbed of so much, we all were.” - Brandon’s partner of 11 years.

Directed by Riley Eli Jones, DAD won Best Film and Best Director at the 2024 Canberra Film Festival. It’s a hugely impactful film shedding light on the devastation that this terrible disease leaves in its wake.

This brain cancer awareness month, to help raise awareness we’d love you to watch and share Brandon’s story too: https://bit.ly/451AAIt

The more brain cancer is seen, the sooner we can make it disappear.

DAD - A short documentary about Brain Cancer | Best Film - Lights! Canberra! Action! 2024

Consumers are patients, families & carers give our researchers a unique perspective and are integral to our research ecosystem.

Consumers are at the heart of what our researchers are working hard to achieve: a brighter future for brain cancer patients and their families.

By sharing their unique backgrounds and experiences, it gives us insight into what it's like to be a brain cancer patient, and what is important to them.

We're working hard to make discoveries that will lead to new treatments and clinical trials and bring real hope to patients.

Our CEO Sam McGuane and Program Coordinator Linda Hawkins shared updates on our exciting research developments. We’re so grateful to our consumer group for sharing their time and experience with us.

Many Minds. One Focus.

L-R: Sam McGuane BCC, Linda Hawkins BCC, Kristy Harrington, Dianne Rutherford, David Heaney, MaryAnne Hickmott, Kathy Minas, Samantha Chandler, Sharon La Fontaine, David Hay, Melissa Lavender, Sarah Kelly

WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

We were thrilled to host our 2024 Brain Cancer Centre Funded Conference last week. Over 70 of our BCC funded researchers from 16 institutes from across Australia, all engaged in BCC funded projects and clinical trials.

It was such an inspiring day to have so many of our experts and innovators together to discuss the unique challenges and developments in brain cancer.

Our mission is to drive collaboration and connection between brilliant researchers and fund discoveries that will change the lives of brain cancer patients now and into the future.

We’re funding 13 research projects and clinical trials from our 16 collaborative partners across Australia. Our rockstar researchers are passionate about improving outcomes for patients with brain cancer and we cannot wait to see what incredible advancements they make next.

With these brilliant minds working together, the future of brain cancer research is looking very bright! 🌟

Many Minds. One Focus.



Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Menzies Institute Monash University, Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Hobart Hospital, Telethon Kids Institute The University of Queensland The University of Melbourne The University of Adelaide VCCC Alliance Victorian Government WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Today is Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day.

DIPG is the most aggressive of all childhood cancers. Currently, there are no effective treatment options for patients who, on average, will have between 9 to 12 months to live after diagnosis.

Improved treatments and better outcomes for children are urgent, and we have some of the brightest minds in paediatric brain cancer research on the case.

They are dedicated to discovering treatment options for developing bodies with reduced side effects. They’re passionately working towards the goal that one day, no child will die from brain cancer.

Their innovative research is critical in developing new treatments that reduce side effects while at the same time are most effective for developing bodies. That means better outcomes for these children sooner.

This Brain Cancer Awareness Month, you can help. Whether it’s by sharing our posts to raise awareness or by donating to support this critical research.

You can help create a brighter future for brain cancer patients and their families here: https://bit.ly/3JDwE71

The prognosis for brain cancer patients is devastating and has barely improved in the last 30 years.

The Brain Cancer Centre was established to change that.

We’ve brought together 60 of the brightest minds in brain cancer research across 16 leading hospitals, universities and institutes from around Australia to end brain cancer as a terminal illness.

So far, we’ve invested over $30 million to fund new and innovative research.

This Brain Cancer Awareness month, you can help. Whether it’s by sharing our posts to raise awareness or by donating to support our critical research.

You can help us support these incredible researchers. Their brilliant minds are paving the way forward to a brighter future for patients.

Help bring us closer to our vision - that one day, no lives will be lost to brain cancer.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/3JDwE71

Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Menzies Institute Monash University Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Hobart Hospital Telethon Kids Institute The University of Melbourne The University of Adelaide The University of Queensland VCCC Alliance Victorian Government WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Every day 5 Australians are diagnosed with brain cancer.
Brain cancer kills more kids in Australia than ANY other disease.
It kills more people under 40 than any other cancer.
Survival rates have barely changed in 30 years.

The only way to improve these devastating statistics is through vital research. We’re funding 13 new & innovative research projects & clinical trials with one goal in mind - to end brain cancer as a terminal illness.

We've brought together the best and brightest minds in brain cancer research; now, we need to back them.

Not everyone can be a brain cancer researcher. But everyone’s got a fiver.

This Brain Cancer Awareness month, you can help. Whether it’s by sharing our posts to raise awareness or by donating to support our critical research.

By donating as little as $5, you can help us support these incredible researchers. Their brilliant minds are paving the way forward in critical brain cancer research. You can help create a brighter future for brain cancer patients and their families.

Donate your $5 here: https://bit.ly/3JDwE71

Awesome to see our Co-Head Research Strategy Professor Misty Jenkins WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research at the CYTO 24 conference in Edinburgh this week, talking all things brain cancer.

Misty showcased The Brain Cancer Centre’s radically different approach to brain cancer research, forging more strategic partnerships with the best research minds in the world!

It is incredible for our brilliant researchers to collaborate with world-leading experts in brain cancer, bringing together their unique perspectives to drive discoveries forward.

Many Minds. One Focus.

Congratulations to our Brain Cancer Centre research rockstars who have been awarded Investigator Grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC

Our BCC Co-Heads, Research Strategy Prof Misty Jenkins & Dr Jim Whittle WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Prof Ben Hogan Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre received grants awarded to Australia’s highest performing researchers.

We’re incredibly proud to have them as part of our team. This funding will help accelerate their research and create more opportunities for collaborations within the BCC nationally and partnerships globally.

We know that Jim, Misty and Ben are working hard to create discoveries that will impact the lives of patients and their families.

Many Minds. One Focus.

See all recipients of the 2024 Investigator Grants here:
https://bit.ly/44r1ZmV

What is The Brain Cancer Centre?

Brain cancer is a hard cancer to solve. It’s vast - a diverse group of primary brain tumours, with more than 100 varieties of subtypes. And, it’s protected. The blood-brain barrier limits the effectiveness of drug therapies, reaching tumour targets in the brain.

Research for brain cancer has traditionally been fragmented and has lacked the critical mass necessary to drive discoveries and outcomes for patients.

That’s why The Brain Cancer Centre was established in 2021. Founded by Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation and established in partnership with WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, recognising the need for a radically different approach to brain cancer research in Australia.

We bring together the best and brightest minds with a single focus: to improve outcomes for brain cancer patients NOW and in the future. Our world-class research teams work collaboratively to develop new treatments and trials so that patients diagnosed with brain cancer are given real hope.

The Brain Cancer Centre supports over 60 researchers and funds projects across 16 leading hospitals, universities & research institutes all over Australia.

These brilliant minds are all working collaboratively to change the future for brain cancer patients. Donations - small and large - are vital to help us continue to fund our research projects.

You can help support these incredible researchers at https://bit.ly/3JDwE71

Our vision is to see a world where brain cancer is a treatable and survivable disease, where no lives are lost to brain cancer.

Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Monash University Menzies Institute Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Hobart Hospital Telethon Kids Institute The University of Queensland The University of Melbourne The University of Adelaide VCCC Alliance Victorian Government WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Every day 5 Australians are diagnosed with brain cancer.
Brain cancer kills more kids in Australia than ANY other disease.
It kills more people under 40 than any other cancer.

Survival rates have barely changed in 30 years.
The only way to improve these devastating statistics is through vital research.

We’re funding 13 new & innovative research projects & clinical trials with one goal in mind - to end brain cancer as a terminal illness.

We've brought together the best and brightest minds in brain cancer research; now, we need to back them.

Not everyone can be a brain cancer researcher. But everyone’s got a fiver.

This Brain Cancer Awareness month, you can help. Whether it’s by sharing our posts to raise awareness or by donating to support our critical research.

By donating as little as $5, you can help us support these incredible researchers. Their brilliant minds are paving the way forward in critical brain cancer research.

You can help create a brighter future for brain cancer patients and their families.

Donate your $5 here: https://bit.ly/3JDwE71