Shearing for Kids with Cancer funds contribute to valuable research

It takes a rare kind of commitment to conquer children’s cancers, and that is exactly what’s been made by My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, with the establishment of an Australian first for childhood cancer research. And our own Rushworth ‘Shearing for Kids’ team has contributed to the charity’s ability to make such a commitment.

Thanks to an extraordinary funding commitment by the charity My Room, the Hudson Institute of Medical Research will be home to a new Children’s cancer research fellowship and laboratory.

My Room has been one of the valuable childhood cancer support charities that has benefitted from the local fund-raising efforts Shearing for Kids with Cancer.

The five-year, $2.25 million children’s cancer research fellowship will fund the establishment of a dedicated My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Laboratory at Hudson Institute, with childhood cancer specialist Assoc. Prof Jason Cain the inaugural My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Fellow.

My Room’s CEO, Margaret Zita OAM, said the organisation was proud to be able to create something new in the fight against childhood cancer.

Ms Zito acknowledged the efforts of the Rushworth fund-raising team, saying “they have been incredible supporters of My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.”

Explaining the origin of the 30 year old charity, she said “Having a child diagnosed with cancer is a gut-wrenching experience. It’s especially tough when you’re stuck in a hospital room that doesn’t feel like home.”

Three families in this situation decided to make a difference by creating a more homely setting for families dealing with childhood cancer.

“So, in 1993, they started raising money to renovate the Royal Children’s Hospitals’ cancer ward. They reached their goal, but they knew they couldn’t stop there. That’s why they created My Room.

The name was inspired by the idea of making hospital rooms feel just like home – a warm, comfortable, safe space for families in difficult times.

“Over the past 30 years, we’ve raised over $33 million to improve the quality of life for children and families affected by childhood cancer across Australia,” said Ms Zito.

“While our impact has increased significantly, our passion, commitment, and mission to beat childhood cancer remain unchanged.”

The charity supports a wide range of causes, ranging from their Samaritan Fund to high-quality clinical care and innovative medical research, trials and equipment, all with the aim to give children the best possible chance of beating cancer.

My Room holds a deductible gift recipient status (DGR1) and is also registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

About Hudson Institute of Medical Research

A global bioscience medical research leader, Hudson Institute’s sole focus is on powering breakthrough scientific discoveries into improved health care that will transform lives. We strive to improve human health through ground- breaking, collaborative, medical research discoveries and the translation of these to real world impact. Hudson Institute scientists research five areas of medical need

• Inflammation
• Reproductive health and pregnancy
• Infant and child health
• Cancer
• Hormones and health