- More than $4 million awarded across seven child health research projects
- Matched funding provided by Cook Labor Government and Channel 7 Telethon Trust
- Cook Labor Government supporting innovation and better health comes for children across WA
Boosting children’s ear health, fighting cancer with a gentler form of immunotherapy and empowering families are among seven important research projects to receive new support from Telethon and the Cook Labor Government.
Through the WA Child Research Fund (WACRF), the Cook Labor Government and Channel 7 Telethon Trust are continuing to support world-class research that improves health outcomes for Western Australian children and young people.
The WACRF provides grants of up to $600,000, with this year’s funding totalling $4,083,373.80.
Through the WACRF, Western Australian researchers and their teams are tackling important health challenges and opportunities, helping to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people across the State.
As part of this latest round, seven projects were selected for funding. Among the funded researchers are:
- Professor Christopher Brennan-Jones – trial of a device to help clear fluid build-up in the ears of children with otitis media with effusion (glue ear);
- Dr Omar Elaskalani – project to explore a gentler immunotherapy that helps children’s immune cells fight cancer longer without burning out;
- Professor Fenella Gill – project to support earlier recognition of clinical deterioration in Aboriginal children by strengthening partnerships between families and healthcare professionals with a practical intervention toolkit;
- A/Professor Willem Joost Lesterhuis – work to develop safe and effective immunotherapy for children with sarcoma;
- Dr Sbastien Malinge – work to accelerate the development of Immunotherapies for children with acute myeloid leukaemia;
- Professor Peter Richmond – optimising maternal pertussis immunisation for infants; and
- Professor Britta Von Ungern-Sternberg AM- project to reduce breathing problems in children after surgery.
To read more visit www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/U_Z/WA-Child-Research-Fund .
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The WA Child Research Fund plays a vital role in supporting world-class research that is improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people across Western Australia, while strengthening research capability across our State.
“Through the continued partnership between the Cook Labor Government and the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, we are investing in research that addresses important health challenges and delivers real benefits for WA children and families.
“Western Australia is home to exceptional research talent, and this funding is helping researchers translate new ideas into better care, healthier futures and improved outcomes for children across our State.”
