New funding announced for Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre

In a step closer in the fight to end childhood cancer, the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCCC) - a partnership between the Kid’s Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick, Children’s Cancer Institute and UNSW Sydney - has received a $20 million gift from the Minderoo Foundation to elevate clinical care, research and education.

This week, the Honourable Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Aged Care announced the major philanthropic donation for Australia’s first CCCC which will be integrated into the new redevelopment for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and the UNSW Health Translation Hub, as part of the wider Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct.

The gift is in addition to a $658 million investment in paediatric healthcare at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and CCCC which includes: $478 million from the NSW Government; $100 million from the Commonwealth Government; $25 million from Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation; $25 million from Children's Cancer Institute and UNSW is providing a $30 million in-kind contribution for the CCCC within the adjacent UNSW Health Translation Hub.

To bolster the generous funding commitments, a further $50 million is required from philanthropic donations to complete the centre and enable even greater investment in technology, research and services to offer the best possible care for sick children.

It was announced Minderoo Foundation will donate $20 million with Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO and Co-Chair Nicola Forrest AO lending their patronage to help attract the final $30 million required. In recognition of this philanthropic leadership the centre will be known as the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

UNSW’s Chancellor, Mr David Gonski AC, said that a key component of the centre will be the education and training of future generations. “Our brightest minds will be trained as future leaders in this vital quest to advance the treatment and prevention of childhood cancers.”

The 20,000 sqm centre will be the first of its kind in Australia: a fully integrated cancer centre, combining world-leading clinical care, with ground-breaking research and education, to change the face of paediatric cancer and ultimately, put an end to childhood cancer.

Professor Michelle Haber AM, Executive Director, Children’s Cancer Institute said, “building on decades of success between Children’s Cancer Institute and Kid’s Cancer Centre this centre will be globally leading with positive impact for children with cancer in Australia and internationally”.

“The vision for the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre is to be the leading children’s comprehensive cancer centre world-wide providing for the seamless integration of clinical care and research, with the goal of putting an end to childhood cancer.”

Professor Tracey O’Brien, Director of Kids Cancer Centre said, “Care for kids with rare cancers, requires pushing the boundaries of science, safe use of cutting-edge therapies in hospital and strong collaboration across differing specialities with hospitals and local communities.”

“The ability to deliver integrated, specialist cancer treatment, education and research to transform the lives of children with cancer in a purpose-built centre will help us achieve the best possible outcomes for patients and their families.”

Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt said the partnership of Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and UNSW, “will provide the depth, breadth and excellence of research, clinical and education-focused child cancer activities that will position the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre amongst the leading paediatric cancer centres in the world.”

The centre is expected to open in 2025. You can read more about the project here.