Scaring Cancer

Local charity, Kids with Cancer Foundation, raised $42,000 at its Scare Cancer Charity Ball held at the Castle Hill RSL on 30th April to fund a world first clinical trial to cure Paediatric Ependymoma.

Around 200 people, dressed in their scariest make up and costumes and dug deep to raise essential funds for this vital research at The Kids Cancer Centre in Sydney Children’s Hospital.

Ependymoma is an aggressive brain cancer and is usually treated with surgery and radiation. Around 60 per cent of all children diagnosed with this are less than five years old, the cause of this cancer remains unknown.

Devastatingly, one in three children will relapse and there are currently no other options for treating reoccurring Paediatric Ependymoma.

The Australian world first clinical trial, being funded by Kids with Cancer Foundation, will test a groundbreaking new formulation of an existing drug making it more effective with less side effects. Initial tests have shown the new formulation to be extremely potent against Ependymoma making this research vital in saving children’s lives.

Assoc Professor David Ziegler from the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital said: “Without the support of the Kids with Cancer Foundation we would not be able to do this trial”

Kids with Cancer Foundation’s Scare Cancer Charity Ball was supported by 140 businesses from Castle Hill and the surrounding areas with donations of products and vouchers. Patrons were entertained by Rob Shehadie as the MC as well as the Jon Elms Trio who playing music throughout the night.

The Charity Ball was originally scheduled to take place in October 2020, to coincide with Kids with Cancer Foundation’s annual Scare Cancer October campaign – which invites Australians to team up with friends, workmates or sports and social clubs to hold a morning tea, barbeque, or charity Halloween Party to fundraise to support Kids with Cancer Foundation. The 2020 Charity Ball was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions and then again in October 2021.

Kids with Cancer Foundation has been helping families of kids with cancer and paediatric oncology hospitals across Australia since 1998. Having donated $28 million so far, with $17 million going to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network.

The Foundation helps families pay their household bills, rent/mortgage, car repairs – in fact anything that the family needs and can’t afford. In addition, salaries for specialist nurses, oncology fellowships, research and social workers are provided by Kids with Cancer on a yearly basis.

Donations made to Kids with Cancer Foundation are tax-deductible, and 100% of direct donations go directly to helping children with cancer and their families.

To find out more or make a donation visit kidswithcancer.org.au