International Childhood Cancer Day

15th February 2010

RING A BELL FOR BEN

'research is the cure'

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The Oncology Children's Foundation (OCF) is recognising International Childhood Cancer Day in 2010 by holding its flagship national event - Ring a Bell for Ben on 15^th February. Cathedral and church bells will be pealing throughout the day in cities around the country to raise awareness about the importance of childhood cancer research.

Celebrities will be lending a hand to assist bellringers on the day. The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers (ANZAB) is facilitating the event.

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The hashtag for the event is #ringabellforben

The hashtag for global awareness is #kidscancercure

In pursuit of a cure

OCF is a successful Australian charity willing to journey to the edge of science to find cures for childhood cancer. OCF targets those cancers with the lowest survival rate. The very nature of these cancers means cures don't come easily. To answer the challenge OCF identifies some of Australia's most progressive researchers and gives them the independence and the funds to do some of their best work. And it is delivering results.

CEO, Mr Ross Lewis said: "This Foundation would not exist without the generosity and support of individuals in our community. We aren't government funded, we're community funded. We simply would not have achieved what we have if Australians were not compelled to make a difference in the lives of our young people diagnosed with cancer. Five years ago OCF was able to donate $70,000 for research and equipment. In the financial year that has just finished a record $2.3 million was donated to our research partners at The Children's Hospital at Westmead and UNSW."

Today's research is tomorrow's medicine

Last year as part of an initiative for better governance OCF invited some of the most experienced paediatric, oncology researchers in the world to form a Research Advisory Committee to oversee the allocation of research funding.

"I first want to congratulate you again on the most impressive job you have done building the Oncology Children's Foundation. While the advisory committee report hopefully communicated our collective and individual enthusiasm for the exciting research programs you are supporting, I want to add my personal admiration for both the excellent work you have done raising money and for the progressive way in which you are investing in innovative research. It was a privilege to be asked to contribute."

Professor Jon Izant PhD, Vice President and COO, Sage Bionetworks. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Seattle, Washington, USA.