Improving cancer survival through world-class research in 2024/25 

Since our inception 70 years ago in 1955, Cancer Council NSW has become the largest non-government funder of cancer research, supporting research projects to find better ways to detect and treat cancer. 

This year, we achieved many significant milestones in cancer research, from new patents and clinical trials to exciting new long-term projects. 

Driving towards the next big cancer research breakthrough 

Since Box Rallies was launched in 2009, it has been a winning formula of hard work, fun and fundraising with participants testing themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. The rallies are not a race, rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable… To drive a car worth just $1,500 or one that’s older than 25 years across Australia via some of its most formidable roads.  

During FY25, Box Rallies proudly celebrated the remarkable achievement of raising over $50 million for Cancer Council, fuelling groundbreaking cancer research across Australia.  

In further exciting developments, the inaugural Lunchbox Rally was held this year as a special event for one adult and one child per team to experience a family-friendly adventure through outback Australia, building a future generation of rally fundraisers.  

Thanks to the drive of founder James Freeman OAM, who set up Box Rallies after both his mother and father died to cancer in 12 months, the rallies have grown exponentially. Starting from a single rally in 2010 that raised $104,000, the Box Rallies have now expanded to five annual events. This year alone, they raised an impressive $9 million, all of which goes directly to Cancer Council NSW, funding 13 of the most promising new research projects in Australia across a range of cancers. 

Pioneering new cancer treatments 

Together, we are accelerating breakthroughs in cancer care through our support of research projects across the country. This year, many exciting milestones were achieved, including in these three projects. 

Professor David Gottlieb’s research^* into CAR T-cell immunotherapy attained TGA approval, and has begun benefitting children and adults with hard-to-treat leukaemia and lymphoma. Their world-first clinical trial is also helping bone marrow transplant patients like Madeline survive deadly fungal infections. 

Meanwhile, Professor Paul Keall was recognised with the Sally Crossing AM Award this year. Prof Keall and his team have successfully patented and licensed their beam adaptation technology that tracks and targets moving tumours in real time, which will reduce side effects associated with radiotherapy. 

Finally, Professor Marina Pajic and her team* have identified a key protein that makes pancreatic cancers resistant to chemotherapy. The team is now working towards a clinical trial of a promising new personalised treatment that targets this protein, which may help thousands of Australians currently living with pancreatic cancer. 

*This project was proudly funded through our partnership with Box Rallies.  

Could we one day have a simple test that can detect many different cancers? 

Early detection improves outcomes from almost all cancers. However, there is currently no screening program for most cancers in Australia. Multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests have the potential to change this, with the ability to identify people with a wide range of cancers who do not have symptoms yet. 

Associate Professor Julia Steinberg of the Daffodil Centre is leading on research into whether and how MCD tests could improve cancer outcomes in Australia. It is an exciting and ambitious 5-year project, with over 35 collaborating researchers across the Daffodil Centre, Australia, UK, France and Singapore. It would not be possible without a new $3 million grant from the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund.  

“Our work will establish an evidence-based Roadmap with recommended next steps in MCD test evaluation and trials, to help maximise the potential of MCD tests for patient-friendly and more effective early detection of cancers.” – A/Prof Steinberg