University of Newcastle: Leading Minds Convene to Address Brain Cancer Challenges at International Summit
Five Australian charities and research centres collaborated to pool resources and create the event specifically dedicated to advancing brain cancer research, with a focus on paediatrics.
Founders and researchers from the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle, The Brain Cancer Centre (founded by Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer), Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, Isabella and Marcus Foundation and the Children’s Cancer Foundation united in a common cause to seek better treatments and ultimately outcomes for the brain cancer community.
Mark and Kirralee Hughes and the team at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, attended the summit.
Foundation MHF Chair in Brain Cancer and Centre Director Professor Mike Fay said the summit offered a unique platform to share insights and foster collaboration.
“It was an inspiring day and valuable opportunity for researchers and clinicians alike to discuss and explore the latest developments, challenges and opportunities in brain tumour research,” Professor Fay said.
Thanks to the international speakers who came to share their knowledge with their Australian peers: Associate Professor Tim Phoenix, University of Cincinnati, Professor Dieter Henrik Heiland The University of Freiburg, Dr Rameen Beroukhim Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr Nada Jabado, McGill University, and Assistant Professor Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
“Among the impressive lineup of speakers were our colleagues Dr Chen Chen Jiang and Professor Matt Dun who presented at the summit.”
The Brain Cancer Centre Chief Executive Officer Sam McGuane said the feedback on the summit demonstrated athirst for multi-disciplinary but disease focused platform discussion.
“One of the most positive parts of this experience, which was particularly evident on Tuesday, was the united voice through which we spoke to our audiences and community,” Mr McGuane said.
“We all know the responsibility and trust they have in us to deliver opportunities to advance our shared cause. I hope they understand how important these events are and how much progress is made.
“As an approximate volume of engagement across platforms – we had well over one million impressions with key images and videos shared over 50 times by our respective brands, researchers and community members.”
Kylie Hugo, Liz Dawes, Kirralee Hughes, Jaala Pulford, Mark Hughes, Sam McGuane, Khush De Rose, Rob De Rose, Daniela Ruberto and Mike Fay.
The MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research team paid tribute to The Brain Cancer Centre for organising and hosting the event.
The summit was staged at the Woodward Conference Centre, Law Building at the University of Melbourne on 6 February.