This year’s Christmas Appeal shares the story of Matilda who was diagnosed with stage four bone cancer at age nine. Matilda's story highlights why continued investment in cancer research is so important: donations ensure Cancer Council ACT can continue funding research breakthroughs and work towards our vision of a cancer free future.
Every cancer treatment that is saving lives today began because someone like you chose to invest in research.
That's the extraordinary power of your generosity. You help transform bold thinking into earlier diagnoses, safer treatment and longer, healthier lives.
Going forward, the scale of your impact could be enormous.
With investment from caring people like you, Cancer Council ACT is committed to funding vital cancer research.
And so, as Christmas approaches, and many of us turn our thoughts to the people in our lives who cancer impacts, we wanted to write to you with a special request.
Please, will you make a gift to vital cancer research this Christmas?
The next great breakthrough isn't waiting for a better idea.
It's waiting for our committed community to drive it forward. It's waiting for investment. It's waiting for you.
Maria Kavallaris' pioneering work is developing safer, more targeted treatments for children with aggressive cancers, offering them the hope of surviving cancer with fewer long-term effects.
Childhood cancers kill more children than any other disease in Australia.
Life-saving breakthroughs, like those Professor Kavallaris is exploring, could lead to a gentler, safer path through treatment, and a healthier future afterwards for children with cancer.
And not only for children with specific aggressive cancers. The benefits of Professor Kavallaris' work may also extend to other childhood and even adult cancers.
The truth is that ground-breaking discoveries like Professor Kavallris' only happen because people like you believe in them, and help make them possible.
It's support like yours that allows Cancer Council to be Australia's largest non-government funder of cancer research.
It means we're uniquely placed to support the most promising research and researchers, with a long track record of turning today's most promising discoveries into the treatments that change lives tomorrow.
Your generosity helps bring us closer to a future where cancer no longer defines lives.
Matilda was just nine years old when her life changed with a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Persistent pain in her ankle led her to being diagnosed with stage four bone cancer.
Matilda, now 18, underwent years of treatment, including three types of chemotherapy and 32 surgeries to save her leg.
''I spent a lot of time on and off crutches because my bones were so fragile that even something as simple as walking could cause them to break,'' says Matilda.
Her body endured enormous strain. She had a feeding tube fitted. A port was put beneath her skin so her medical team could give her medicine without constant needles. She lost her hair.
During this time, doctors also removed part of her ovary to preserve her future fertility.
While the physical toll was immense, the emotional impact became especially visible during her teenage years, when Matilda experienced significant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health challenges.
It's not hard to see why Professor Kavallaris wants to find new ways to help children like Matilda not only survive cancer, but thrive.
Let us tell you more about Professor Kavallaris' research.
She and her team are investigating a new, highly targeted approach to identify the genes that a particularly aggressive childhood cancer (neuroblastoma) needs to survive.
Then, they design tiny molecular particles that silence these genes.
''They're like small molecular 'off switches' that can be delivered directly to the tumour, sparing healthy cells,'' she explains.
It's an approach that has the potential to be adapted for other childhood and adult cancers.
The team's ultimate goal is a precision medicine treatment that is more effective and far less toxic.
It's not easy. One of the real challenges of dealing with the specific cancer Professor Kavallaris is researching is that each tumour can behave differently.
More investigation is needed. And so more investment is required.
Right now, Professor Kavallaris' team is at the stage of validating key genes and testing their function.
''Then we will test combinations of these genes using 3D 'mini-tumour' models made from patient samples. We will then develop and use our antibody-targeted nanoparticles to treat neuroblastoma in mouse models,'' said Professor Kavallaris.
Soon, they hope to have a new treatment option ready for clinical trials.
Professor Kavallaris was asked her views on why investing in cancer research is so important.
''Your support directly fuels discoveries that can change the lives of children and families facing cancer,'' she said.
''Every breakthrough starts with someone choosing to invest in research, and that generosity brings us closer to a future where children survive cancer with fewer side-effects and more hope''.
We couldn't have put it better.
Christmas is a very special time, one of the key points of focus each year when our incredible supporters come together, generously donating to ensure cancer researchers have the resources they need to make big things happen.
The search for answers is an ongoing effort. The ideas are already out there. Professor Kavallaris' research is one of many examples.
What's needed now is persistent, committed investigation, a long-term effort, built piece by piece on the strength of people's belief. And their willingness to invest.
What's needed is people like you.