Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

26/07/2025

July 27 is World Head and Neck Cancer Day, which raises awareness of these complex cancers which can affect areas such as the throat, mouth, nose, and salivary glands.

In 2024, an estimated 5,530 Australians were diagnosed with a head and neck cancer. We're sharing an infographic with key facts and highlighting Peter Mac’s research into new treatments to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

You can learn more and download the full PDF version here: https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/world-head-and-neck-cancer-awareness-day-25

24/07/2025

Tonight, we celebrate our board member, Sam Docherty on a remarkable career as he plays his final AFL game.

Following two bouts of cancer, Sam has been an inspiration to many and a real driving force behind the Peter Mac Cup - the longest running AFL/VFL charity match between Carlton Football Club and Collingwood Football Club.

In recent years Sam's tireless support has helped the match to achieve record fundraising results and shine a light on the importance of cancer research to improve outcomes for people with cancer. Go well Sam!

Photo credit: Jonathan Di Maggio JDM Photography

22/07/2025

At 36, Leigh felt happier, fitter, and healthier than ever. But in the shower after a long day of golf, he discovered a lump in his groin. Soon after, Leigh was given the news, “you have cancer”.

Leigh was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma.

A whirlwind of chemotherapy followed, and Leigh was given the “all clear”.

Leigh and his partner Megan celebrated by setting off on a dream road trip around Australia. But they didn’t get very far. The pain returned and so did the cancer.

Leigh’s second round of treatment included a stem cell transplant at Peter Mac. It was effective, but exhausting. And he knows there’s always a chance the cancer could come back.

💬 “I’ll be monitored. I’ll be at risk for the rest of my life,” he says.

Today, Leigh is thankful – not just for his recovery, but for the life-saving cancer research that made it all possible.

💬 “Life for me now is better than it has ever been. I'm full of energy and have a newfound perspective that helps me value every little moment. Moments I have, because of Peter Mac and its supporters,” says Leigh.

After all that Leigh has been through, he’s committed to supporting cancer research, to help the next person like him.

💬 “I've decided to leave a gift in my Will because I like the idea that, after I’m gone, I'm still helping fight the good fight with so many others,” he says.

Read more about Leigh’s inspirational story here: foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/hope-for-aggressive-blood-cancer-leigh-s-second-chance-thanks-to-cancer-research

21/07/2025

This Head and Neck Cancer Awareness month, we are pleased to spotlight head and neck cancer patient Derrick, whose friends recently honoured him with a surprise fundraising gig in support of Peter Mac.

Derrick, a lifelong musician and showman, has been receiving treatment for tongue cancer, and was recently touched when his friends organised a surprise fundraising gig in his honour.

Derrick has faced a challenging cancer journey over the past four years which has included an array of intense treatments, needing to be fed through a tube for a year, and his cancer growing back after he was able to start eating again.

To celebrate and support Derrick, his friends and bandmates organised a surprise fundraising gig, with all funds raised to support cancer research at Peter Mac. With many from the community showing up in support of Derrick, the gig raised almost $3000 towards lifesaving cancer research.

Read more: https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/a-rocking-tribute-to-support-cancer-research

17/07/2025

Jennifer Doubell OAM, who served as Executive Director of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation from 2008 to 2021, has been named this year’s Distinguished Fellow of Peter Mac.

This honour, which is the highest awarded by Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s Board, recognises Jennifer’s invaluable contributions towards furthering cancer research through fundraising and philanthropy. Under her leadership, the Foundation significantly increased its donor base and fundraising income, and secured many philanthropic investments that allowed Peter Mac to pursue vital research and care initiatives.

A key achievement under Jennifer’s leadership was a $50 million campaign to establish Peter Mac’s state-of-the-art facility in Parkville, which currently serves as Peter Mac’s main treatment centre and is home to the groundbreaking research that improves the treatment and care of people with cancer.

Jennifer’s leadership was instrumental in setting up the Foundation for fundraising success, which in turn ensures that Peter Mac can continue to save lives through research and clinical care. Congratulations to Jennifer on this well-deserved honour.

You can read more here: https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/former-foundation-leader-honoured-by-peter-mac

15/07/2025

We're seeking individuals, current or past patients of Peter Mac, to share their story. Everyone’s cancer experience is different - and sharing your Peter Mac story can make a real difference.

Whether you're a patient, carer, family member or supporter, your experience with Peter Mac can help raise awareness, support others, and highlight the importance of world-class cancer research and care.

If you’re ready to share your Peter Mac experience - visit: https://foundation.petermac.org/get-involved/share-your-story

11/07/2025

Longtime supporter, former patient, and volunteer at Peter Mac, Mary was recently featured in The Senior Magazine, where she shared her journey of living with lymphoma, and talked about why she is including a gift to Peter Mac in her Will.

Giving up a career abroad because of health became "the best decision".

09/07/2025

Making a difference for people with cancer can be as simple as following what you enjoy.

That has certainly been true for Michael, who tapped into his love of cars to create the yearly Drive for Cancer event over fifteen years ago.

Each year, Drive for Cancer participants drive to raise funds for lifesaving cancer research at Peter Mac. At its most recent event in March this year, Drive for Cancer successfully raised an incredible $20,000 towards improving treatment and care for people with cancer.

Keeping the momentum going, Michael plans to keep hosting Drive for Cancer every year to support a better future for everyone affected by cancer. He encourages everyone to follow what they love doing to help create a cancer-free world.

To read more about Drive for Cancer and how you can turn to your passion into purpose for Peter Mac’s research, https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/hitting-the-road-with-hope-drive-for-cancer

04/07/2025

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a landmark cancer treatment that boosts the immune system as it fights cancer. It has succeeded in treating many patients who were not responding to conventional treatments. However, not all patients respond to ICB, and there is still a long way to go in understanding how the immune system responds to these therapies at the cellular level.

That’s why Dr Dane Newman is now investigating this knowledge gap with the support of a Peter Mac Foundation Grant. Following a recent discovery that a subset of stem cell-like immune cells (often referred to as ‘Tpex’) greatly influence ICB treatment, Dr Newman is using advanced drug discovery technology to learn how we can effectively harness Tpex during ICB treatment.

In gathering these insights, Dr Newman’s research can benefit even more patients whose cancers were previously difficult to treat. Thank you for supporting researchers such as Dr Newman, whose lifesaving work is made possible thanks to our generous donors.

03/07/2025

In 2021, Vince was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which he underwent treatment for at Peter Mac. Two years later, Vince, along with his family and friends participated in Run Melbourne 2023, raising more than $12,000 for cancer research.
Sadly, on 10 September 2024, Vince passed away from his cancer.

Kara and her sisters share, "our dad fought bravely against this terrible disease, giving it everything he had. Until the very end, he remained determined not to give up—for his three daughters, three grandchildren, and another grandchild on the way."

This year, Kara and her sisters Jazzmine and Jamie will be leading a team at Run Melbourne next Sunday 13 July in honour of their father.

"If it weren’t for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre that fought hard with us, we wouldn’t have had that extra time with our father, and for that we will forever be thankful for."

You can read more about Team Vince La Rocca here: https://foundation.petermac.org/about-us/news/details/team-vince-la-rocca-takes-on-the-challenge-at-this-years-run-melbourne

03/07/2025

With the critical support of our donors, we are proud to help advance the groundbreaking work of the Beavis and Darcy Labs at Peter Mac, whose latest breakthrough is making headlines today.

In the news today: A game-changer in cancer treatment led by Peter Mac’s Associate Professor Paul Beavis and Professor Phil Darcy.

Their lab has found a way to fight solid tumours using CAR T-cell therapy – a revolutionary immunotherapy.

Using CRISPR gene editing, the team created smarter immune cells that only activate powerful cancer-fighting proteins at the tumour site – not in healthy parts of the body.

They’ve named them Precision Guided Munition (PGM) CAR T-cells – think of them like immune cells with a GPS that targets cancer directly.

The results? In lab models of breast, colon and ovarian cancer, these cells wiped out tumours with cure rates close to 100%!

This breakthrough could make CAR T therapy safer, more targeted, and available for more types of cancer – bringing real hope to people with breast and other solid cancers.

While this is an important early signal of effectiveness, this approach is yet to be tested in humans.

Read more, including the full paper: https://www.petermac.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/details/finding-a-way-to-fight-solid-tumour-cancers-with-car-t-cell-therapy

23/06/2025

A year ago, Danielle was like so many of us – busy juggling work, life and kids. With one minor difference.

For 4 years, she’d been in the care of an oral surgeon. He was monitoring some lesions on her tongue discovered during a routine dental checkup.

So, when a strange soreness developed in Danielle’s tongue, she knew who to call. A biopsy confirmed what she feared: cancer.

Danielle was rushed into surgery to remove the almost-invisible tumour on her tongue, expecting it to be a minor procedure. But when she woke up, she knew it was anything but minor.

The tumour was bigger than expected. And so was the margin needed to remove it.

As Danielle relates, “When they took out the tumour, they ended up needing to take out the floor of my mouth, and the maximum amount of my tongue that they could. And you can’t grow your tongue back.”

Danielle then received 6 weeks of intense radiation therapy. But there’s still a chance her cancer could return.

She's been in the clear with every check so far. But if it does come back, she can’t have radiation again. And there’s limited surgery that can be done.

Every check is incredibly daunting. Life can change so quickly…

For Danielle, and every person facing a cancer diagnosis, research is the way forward. The way toward kinder treatments and more cures. Without lifelong side effects.

“I just have to hope that research will discover kinder and easier treatments for all cancers soon, but especially for head and neck cancers. That would be fantastic,” says Danielle.

You can help accelerate Peter Mac research to discover kinder treatments for people like Danielle.

Donate now: give.petermac.org/donate