WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre officially launches.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre officially launches.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
This month, supporters, researchers, clinicians, families and partners gathered at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) to mark a significant new chapter in childhood cancer care and research in WA, with the official launch of the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre.
For children with cancer and their families, the Centre means childhood cancer research and care working together, so more kids can access less toxic, more effective treatments closer to home.
The Centre draws on the clinical excellence of PCH, the research expertise of The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia, alongside the generous support of major funders the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Carrick Robinson said the launch marked the culmination of years of collaboration and more than 18 months of intensive establishment work.
“The Centre represents what’s possible when world-class researchers, clinicians and supporters come together,” he said. “Our heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in bringing the Centre to life. At PCHF, we are proud to play a part in a project which will be truly transformative for WA families – supporting innovative work on the frontline of childhood cancer research and care, helping turn discovery into better outcomes for kids across the state.
“We also extend our sincere thanks to PCHF’s funding partners who have helped make this possible to date, including BIG W, Bambi Mini Co, Prime Global Logistics and the wider WA community.”
At the launch event, Elizabeth Perron, Executive Chair of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, also highlighted the Foundation’s commitment of $135.5 million over ten years – one of the largest investments in health research in WA’s history. Supported by PCHF funding and co-investment from UWA, it stands among the largest health research investments in WA history.
WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre Clinical Director Professor Nick Gottardo said childhood cancers were fundamentally different from adult cancers, requiring a dedicated research approach.
“In children, cancers are very different to those in adults – they develop differently, spread faster and often appear to strike at random,” Professor Gottardo said. “Yet most treatments are developed for adult cancers and are decades old. It’s not just about survival; it’s about quality of life. We want a future where we have more weapons against this disease that are more specific and much less toxic.”
What is a Comprehensive Cancer Centre?
Comprehensive Cancer Centres are widely recognised as the gold standard in cancer research and care, bringing research and clinical care together into a single, integrated system. Rather than operating in silos, these centres unite researchers, clinicians, health professionals and support teams with a shared goal: accelerating discovery, improving treatment, and delivering better outcomes for patients.
Internationally, they are proven to deliver stronger short‑, medium‑ and long‑term outcomes by removing barriers between discovery and delivery, enabling faster and safer innovation, more personalised care, improved outcomes for hard-to-treat cancers and better long‑term quality of life for patients.
WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre – Key priorities:
- Access to breakthrough treatments
The Centre gives children access to additional cutting‑edge treatment options close to home, without the need to travel interstate or overseas. Research discoveries can also be rapidly and safely translated into clinical trials and new therapies.
- Personalised, kinder care
Every child’s cancer is different. Through advanced genetic and cellular analysis, the Centre aims to better understand the unique biology of each child’s cancer and tailor treatment accordingly – improving outcomes while reducing unnecessary side effects.
- Care that extends beyond treatment
Care extends to include mental health, nutrition, pain management, reproductive services and survivorship support, ensuring the long-term wellbeing of children and their families.
- Community at the centre
Through highly integrated Community and Consumer Advisory Groups, families have a clear pathway to voice their priorities and shape the Centre’s work. Families contribute to clinical, laboratory and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs, helping ensure care remains compassionate, safe and centred around the needs of the community.
- Best and brightest talent
The Centre brings together the brightest minds and kindest hearts in kid’s cancer research, delivering innovative care with global reach and local compassion. We are built on world-leading science, delivered by the people who treat and research – side by side.
- First Nations focus
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with cancer face poorer outcomes and that needs to change. Through strong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities, we are developing culturally safe, effective treatments.
For more information, please visit: WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre.