Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

27/02/2026

Understanding how ovarian cancer treatment succeeds or fails may be the key to improving outcomes for this devastating disease.

This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we acknowledge the many women and families who have faced ovarian cancer. The deadliest cancer affecting Australian women, nearly half of all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer sadly do not survive.

New treatment approaches are urgently needed. We’re proud to spotlight the Bowtell Lab at Peter Mac and its work to transform ovarian cancer outcomes, by uncovering how treatment resistance develops, what drives long-term survival, and advocating for genetic testing.

Learn more about our research to improve the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment and bring new hope for women diagnosed: https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/finding-new-hope-for-ovarian-cancer-patients

25/02/2026

Could exercise be part of the key to managing the significant side effects of an innovative blood cancer treatment?

Although CAR T-cell therapy has been revolutionary in blood cancer treatment, it is associated with significant symptoms such as pain, extreme fatigue, confusion and difficulty walking. Exercise has been shown to help manage symptoms and improve physical function for people receiving other blood cancer treatments, but we don’t yet know how effective it is for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy.

As the number of patients with cancer receiving CAR T-cell therapy continues to grow, Peter Mac researcher and Foundation Grant recipient Associate Professor Lara Edbrooke is eager to explore if exercise can help these patients manage the unpleasant side effects.

Using a remotely-delivered exercise intervention, Associate Professor Edbrooke will study changes in patients’ exercise and behaviour before and after they receive CAR T-cell therapy. The intervention will include supervised exercise to manage symptoms and improve physical function, and strategies to help sustain long-term exercise.

This research – the first of its kind in Australia – can potentially create valuable knowledge that improves the experience of patients with blood cancer being treated with CAR T-cell therapy. Thank you for supporting research that finds new ways to improve care and treatment for people with cancer.

24/02/2026

Congratulations to this year’s Lea Medal recipients, Dr Deborah Meyran, Associate Professor Safeera Hussainy and Dr Aparna Rao!

The Peter Mac Foundation is proud to fund the Lea Medal, which has been providing support to talented female-identifying cancer researchers at Peter Mac for a decade now. Thank you to our wonderful donors for supporting funding initiatives that strengthen lifesaving cancer research.

We’re proud to celebrate Dr Aparna Rao, Dr Deborah Meyran and Associate Professor Safeera Hussainy, who have been awarded the 2026 Lea Medals.

First awarded at Peter Mac a decade ago in response to historic gender imbalances in the senior ranks of health and science, the Lea Medal is designed to raise the profile of our female-identifying, early to mid-career researchers at a critical stage in their careers.

Dr Deborah Meyran will advance her research into immunotherapy for childhood cancers, strengthening international collaborations and deepening understanding of how the immune system interacts with paediatric tumours.

Associate Professor Safeera Hussainy will progress research focused on improving sexual health care for people affected by cancer, translating findings into practical outcomes including training and future service development.

Dr Aparna Rao will further her research into how cancer and immune cells use energy in melanoma, using advanced imaging to uncover new targets for future therapies.

Congratulations to these outstanding researchers whose innovative work and leadership continue to drive progress in cancer research and care.

Each recipient receives $50,000 to support their career advancement, made possible through the generosity of donors to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.

Read more: https://www.petermac.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/details/recognising-three-outstanding-researchers-with-the-2026-lea-medal

12/02/2026

We are delighted to share our new Peter Mac Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation strategy!

Every day, people affected by cancer face some of the toughest moments of their lives. Support from our incredible community helps make world-leading research, innovative treatments and compassionate care possible.

Our new strategy sets forward how your generosity will continue to make a real difference for patients and families, today and into the future. By working closely with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, we’re ensuring your support drives the breakthroughs that matter most.

Together, we’re helping shape the future of cancer care and research – and creating hope where it’s needed most. Thank you for being part of this journey.

To read our new strategy visit https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/foundation-strategy-2026-and-beyond

04/02/2026

This World Cancer Day 2026, we are United by Unique.

We often hear from our incredible community of Peter Mac supporters about their personal journeys with cancer. And every story we hear reminds us that no two cancer journeys are the same.

These stories show us why research into personalised cancer care is so vital. Cancer doesn’t affect people in one way, and the best treatment recognises and responds to each person’s uniqueness.

That’s why Peter Mac’s researchers are developing therapies shaped by each person’s needs, keeping people at the heart of all we do.

Today, we recognise all Peter Mac supporters and the many different experiences and motivations that unite them. Thank you for helping advance cancer treatment and care shaped around each individual.

30/01/2026

What if we could see exactly how cancer behaves once it reaches the bone? New research can help us map what happens next and develop better treatments for advanced cancer.

When cancer spreads to the bone, it can cause serious complications and become incurable. This is particularly common in hormone-driven cancers like breast and prostate cancer.

Interestingly, although many cancer cells can enter the bone, only a small number will aggressively spread. This process, often taking months or years, suggests the bone marrow environment plays a key role in keeping cancer cells dormant or triggering ‘bone metastases’.

But bone tissue is extremely difficult to study, making it hard for researchers to understand how this spread occurs. Because of this, there are currently no effective treatments for bone metastases.

Dr Joan So was recently awarded a Peter Mac Foundation grant to help overcome this challenge. With grant funding, Dr So will use samples from breast cancer patients who have suffered bone metastases to study how cancer cells interact with the surrounding cell types in the bone marrow.

Using cutting edge technology to see which genes are active in individual cells and how these cells behave in bone tissue, Dr So will generate a detailed “Google Map” of breast cancer that’s moved to the bone. This will help to identify which cells and molecular pathways influence the switch between dormant and growing cancer.

The potential insights from Dr So’s work may open a new world of research opportunities and reveal new approaches for treating cancer that has spread to the bone. Thank you for supporting work that provides hope to people facing advanced cancer.

29/12/2025

As another year draws to a close, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation thanks our amazing supporters for your outstanding generosity this year.

In 2025, your support has allowed lifesaving cancer research at Peter Mac to grow and thrive. Whether it was donating, leaving a gift in will, volunteering, running a marathon, rallying the community or sharing your story – you have all played a vital role in shaping a brighter for people affected by cancer.

On behalf of Peter Mac researchers, clinicians and all people affected by cancer: thank you sincerely for your amazing support in 2025. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2026.

24/12/2025

“Big thanks to everyone who’s donated to Peter Mac research this Christmas. Your support means we can make greater discoveries to help cancer patients all over the world.” – A message from Associate Professor Ben Tran, Medical Oncologist at Peter Mac.

Read more about Ben's work here: foundation.petermac.org/ben_christmas

20/12/2025

Finding a ‘peek behind the curtain’ for CAR T-cell therapies may be the answer to new ways of treating solid cancer tumours.

CAR T-cell therapy has been a game-changer in treating blood cancers. Patient immune cells are modified to recognise cancer cells and attack them. Unfortunately, it has not been as successful in treating solid tumours. One potential reason is that not enough of the immune cells travel to the tumour to be effective. There is currently no method for locating and tracking these cells in real-time, making it hard to understand why CAR T-cell therapy is largely ineffective at treating solid tumours.

With the support of a Peter Mac Foundation Grant, Dr Rebecca Abbott is exploring if a molecule called a ‘tracer’ can be used to watch CAR T-cell therapy in action. This could potentially be a powerful tool in providing insights on why CAR T-cell therapy often doesn’t work in solid tumours, and how we can design CAR T-cells which are more effective.

Dr Abbott’s research can help to change the course for CAR T-cell therapy and expand treatment options across more cancer types. Thank you for supporting groundbreaking research that helps people with all cancers.

19/12/2025

Warragul was buzzing with energy on Sunday as the Western Oval came alive for the 10th Annual Hallora Marathon Festival. From the epic 42km and 24km runs from Hallora to Warragul, to the 16km, 8km, 5km, and the adorable Kids Dash across the oval – every stride told a story of determination and community spirit.

✨ Together, Hallora Marathon raised an incredible $35,700 for cancer research at Peter Mac.

A huge thank you to event organisers, Laura and Daniel Pratt, all 800 runners, the 50 volunteers, and spectators who made this day memorable despite the squally winds and rain, in support of life-saving cancer research. 💜

18/12/2025

We are excited to announce our new national partnership with Oolio Giving, bringing life saving cancer research a little closer with every coffee, meal or drink.

Through Oolio's donation technology available on payment terminals, venues across Australia can now invite customers to round up or donate at checkout, with 100 percent of funds supporting The Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.

A small act at your local café or restaurant can help drive big impact for people facing cancer.

Want to get your favourite local cafe or restaurant involved? Learn more here https://www.oolio.com/solutions/payments/oolio-giving

15/12/2025

Together, with our Parkville Local Health Service Network, we extend our thoughts and deepest sympathies to all those impacted by the devastating attack in Bondi last night.

Everyone has a right to feel safe and welcome in our community regardless of their religion, background, identity or beliefs. To our Jewish community, we are here for you. Everyone is always welcome here.

Events like this can be deeply distressing. If you, or someone you care about, needs support, confidential help is available.

Beyond Blue -1300 224 636
beyondblue.org.au
13YARN - 13 92 76
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
For children and young people aged 5 to 25
Open Arms - 1800 011 046
For current and former ADF members and their families
If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000.