Australia’s premier cancer clinical trials centre recruits patients
Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC (front centre) with dignitaries for the launch of NORTH STAR VNP
Three cutting-edge clinical trials have begun following the launch of a world-leading cancer clinical trials centre at RNSH.
Her Excellency Governor General Sam Mostyn AC joined more than 200 people for the historic launch of NORTH Sydney Trials and Research Van Norton Poche (NORTH STAR VNP), which was made possible by a $20 million gift from the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO and her husband Greg. It was Kay’s vision to establish a clinical trials centre to ensure equitable access to the very latest treatments for all Australians, especially those in rural, regional and Aboriginal communities. The centre is a ground-breaking partnership between NSLHD and the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. It is based across both Royal North Shore and North Shore Private hospitals.
NSLHD Chair of Research Professor Bruce Robinson said the centre can fast-track access to international clinical trials, offering hope to patients and their families across the country. “We’re looking to improve collaboration between hospitals, doctors and allied health professionals so every patient can participate in clinical trials, no matter where they live,” he said. “Encouragingly, the centre will help to accelerate research progress and help find a cure for cancer in this lifetime. “The initial trials will aim to improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancers, breast cancers and upper gastric cancers. “NORTH STAR VNP will be moving quickly to expand enrolment of
patients from Sydney to other parts of NSW including Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Dubbo.” NSLHD Chief Executive Adjunct Professor Anthony Schembri said the district had some of the best cancer survival rates in Australia and had been at the forefront of research for more than a century. “NORTH STAR VNP will increase survival rates for Australians living with cancer and accelerate the work already underway at NSLHD alongside other premier institutes,” he said. NORTH Foundation CEO Gilbert Lorquet said Kay and Greg’s passion for philanthropy and their deep empathy for people had set a standard of giving that would hopefully inspire others for years to come.
Australians can build upon this legacy and help create a future without cancer by donating to the NORTH Foundation today: https://northfoundation.org.au/northstar
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