Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

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.

11/12/2025

Thank you to the Laanecoorie Gold Bash, who once again struck gold for cancer research!

The annual Laanecoorie Gold Bash event brings together over 600 gold enthusiasts from across Victoria to enjoy prospecting, information sessions, market stalls, food and entertainment.

At this year’s event, the Gold Bash celebrated its highest-ever fundraising result of $60,703. This brings their overall fundraising contribution to Peter Mac’s cancer research to an incredible $347,307.

This is an amazing effort from the committee, volunteers, sponsors and participants, who have held this fundraising event 15 times now. Thank you to Laanecoorie Gold Bash and Bendigo Prospecting Club Group for their enduring support for life-changing cancer breakthroughs.

08/12/2025

Decades of research mean that testicular cancer is survivable – but the toll can last for years. One research is working to change that.

Associate Professor Ben Tran is one of Australia’s leading testicular cancer researchers. His work focuses on improving treatments for testicular cancer – not just for the body, but the mind also.

“Testicular cancer tends to affect young men, just as they’re stepping into the prime of their lives – starting careers, families, and shaping their futures. It’s devastating,” – A/Prof Ben Tran

A/Prof Tran is leading several innovative studies. He’s aiming to:

✓ detect cancer earlier,

✓ safely spare some patients from invasive treatments, and

✓ ultimately give patients better quality of life after treatment.

Without vital funding for cancer research, essential projects like A/Prof Tran’s could be set aside, or abandoned altogether, delaying much-needed new treatment options.

This Christmas, your support can help fund the next breakthrough – and the brilliant minds behind it.

Read more: foundation.petermac.org/aprofbentran

Testicular cancer disproportionately affects young men. It often strikes in the teens, twenties and thirties, just as they are beginning their adult lives and building their futures.

04/12/2025

Meet Dr Julia Lai-Kwon, one of our inspiring 2025 Discovery Partner Fellows.

Dr Lai-Kwon, a medical oncologist at Peter Mac, is focusing on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and how we can best integrate them into routine care. Through her work, she wants to ensure that the patients’ voices are at the heart of care.

At Peter Mac, Dr Lai-Kwon draws on expertise from across the precinct, from biostatisticians to digital health specialists to turn her research into real impact.

Thank you to our amazing group of supporters who choose to give a monthly gift to Peter Mac through our Discovery Partner Program.

You can support life-changing research like Dr Lai-Kwon’s by becoming a Discovery Partner today via this link: https://foundation.petermac.org/ways-to-donate/make-a-monthly-gift