Leaders

Children are our future, but cancer is impacting far too many of them

Published

3 years ago

December 13, 2022

Children are our future and that’s why investing in childhood cancer is critical to improving treatments and research

Cancer does not discriminate. It is a major cause of death in children worldwide. While there has been tremendous progress in fighting childhood cancer, significant investment is required to improve access to treatments and diversify research.

Lance Kawaguchi, who heads Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is passionate about raising awareness and funds to beat childhood cancer.

“It’s critically important that we invest more in childhood cancer…I want to make sure that we can have enough funds to support not just certain types of cancer… But also the ones that have less volume.”
Lance kawaguchi, ceo, cure brain cancer

Why invest in Childhood Cancer?

Childhood cancer is a major cause of death in children worldwide, impacting children aged 0-14.

The most common cancers diagnosed in children is leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), brain and nervous system cancers.

Significant investment is required to improve access to treatments and diversify research.

Often, certain types of cancers remain underfunded and under-researched. However, just because they’re less common, shouldn’t mean they’re less important.

Brain Stem brain tumours like DIPG, primarily affects children, with most diagnoses occurring between 5 and 7 years of age.

It makes up approximately 10-15% of all brain tumours in children. Unfortunately, fewer than 10% of children survive.

Simon Gray lost his son Tom when he was seven years old, and is on a mission to prevent other parents from going through the same grief.

We need to raise more funds for this kind of cancer… We don’t want another parent to have to sit in a room with a bunch of doctors and be told ‘just go create some memories, there’s no if buts or maybe, he’s just going to die’
Simon Gray, cancer advocate

Need For More Specific Paediatric Cancer Treatments

There is a need to develop cancer treatments specifically for children and invest more in enabling this to happen effectively.

A relative lack of cancer research in children limits how to treat them. As a result, some children with cancer are dealt adult treatments, which are often ineffective.

Childhood cancer treatments very rarely reach FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) or EMA (European Medicines Agency) approval.

Therefore, it’s critical that more money is invested into treatment and research for childhood cancer.

Katie Banovich’s 6-year-old son Greyson is a cancer survivor. Greyson has emerged as an inspiration to all those who hear his story. His courage and resilience are a testament that no one should ever give up hope when confronted with adversity.

Katie believes it is through our collective efforts that we will continue to make strides in the fight against childhood cancers.

“Get involved, everyone can help. Awareness of the problem leads to motivation to solve it. And motivation leads to action.”
Katie banovich, cancer advocate

Any family can be impacted by childhood cancer, it does not discriminate. For some they have a positive outcome, but for many they are forced to live out a nightmare.

It’s crucial that we make the fight against childhood cancer a global fight.

“In our experience, the key flaws have been a lack of options for treating paediatric brain cancers.

Our daughter Olivia was diagnosed at 18 months… It’s very high risk giving children radiation at such a young age... We had limited options.“
Andrew macphillamy, cancer advocate

Centres of Excellence fighting childhood cancer

1. Australia – Children’s Cancer Institute

The Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) in Australia is celebrating thirty years of working with like-minded individuals and organisations to fund innovative research projects, world-class clinical care, and quality family support programs. To date, the foundation has raised over A$60.5 million. This capital was spent on a range of programs that align with the CCIs goals of improving the lives of children affected by cancer.

2. Qatar – Sidra Medicine

Sidra Medicine, located in the innovative Education City in Qatar is a benchmark for family healthcare in the Middle East. This 400-bed medical centre caters solely to women and children, offering state-of-the-art health care in a collaborative, research-driven environment. Sidra Medicine aims to establish itself as a global leader in the research of cancer and precision medicine. In September 2022, the institute published a study highlighting the successful use of precision medicine to guide the treatment of some paediatric cancers.

3. US – National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death resulting from illness in children aged four to fourteen in the United States. Sadly, only 4% of the billions of dollars spent on cancer research annually go to funding research for paediatric cancers. The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) formed an innovative collaboration called the Sunshine Project. The primary goal of this project is to fast-track a more targeted and less toxic cure for paediatric cancer by bringing together the nation’s foremost researchers and medical professionals. Since 2005, the Sunshine Project has funded several clinical trials and translational studies in excess of US$ 33 million.

4. The European Society for Paediatric Oncology

The European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) was established to ensure optimal care and outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer in Europe. The society is active across many areas including research, care, training and education, and EU advocacy. They are driven to facilitate collaborative research across the European continent as well as the promotion of novel treatment modalities in use in clinical trials. Seated in Brussels, SIOPE is ideally situated to promote and advocate better policies for children with cancer to EU policy makers.

Report contributed by Holly Stearnes, Lance Kawaguchi and Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.

Leaders

The new rules reshaping the gaming landscape

Published

4 hours ago

October 24, 2025

ticker NEWS

Global tech regulations reshape video game creation, boosting developer opportunities and improving player experiences through alternative payments and privacy compliance.

In Short:
– Governments are enforcing stricter regulations on digital platforms, impacting video game creation and distribution.
– Developers gain more control over payment methods and must navigate privacy laws while enhancing safety in multiplayer games.

Governments worldwide are tightening regulations on digital platforms, greatly affecting video game creation and distribution.

In the US, changes come after court rulings, including a recent Supreme Court decision denying Google a request to alter specific rules. This has resulted in Apple, Google, and other digital gatekeepers having to allow developers more control, such as directing players to alternative billing methods and accessing player data.

Chris Hewish from Xsolla joins us to unpack how regulation could redefine the future of gaming, from monetisation models to the next wave of innovation.

Leaders

Simple messaging solutions for small business owners

Fext offers simple messaging automation for small businesses to improve customer connections without complicated technology

Published

2 weeks ago

October 8, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Fext offers simple messaging automation for small businesses to improve customer connections without complicated technology

In Short:
– Small business owners seek simple tech solutions for customer connections, avoiding complex systems.
– Fext offers automated messaging, allowing users to communicate efficiently without group chats.

Small business owners often seek straightforward solutions to connect with customers using minimal technology. Gonenc Mete from Fext discusses how these owners tend to avoid complex tech systems. His experience in Silicon Valley highlights the desire for simple, effective tools to manage everyday tasks.

Currently, many small business owners manage customer communications primarily through their phones. They often resort to sending repeated messages by copy-pasting, which can be time-consuming.

The solution with Fext is a messaging automation feature. Users can compose a single message and send it to multiple recipients without the hassle of group chats..

The Fext app is available internationally, with strong user bases in Australia and New Zealand.

Leaders

Cyber security shifts redefine critical infrastructure in APAC

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats

Published

3 weeks ago

October 2, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats.

In Short:
– Cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific redefine critical infrastructure, expanding its scope beyond just industrial machinery.
– New strategies emphasise visibility to protect crucial sectors like banking, finance, and telecommunications from cyber threats.

The rise in cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific is reshaping the definition and protection of critical infrastructure. New digital and operational technology risks are prompting stakeholders to reconsider conventional beliefs that critical infrastructure is primarily industrial machinery behind high fences.

Michael Fisher from Garland Technology discusses this evolving landscape. Critical infrastructure now encompasses essential services such as banking, finance, and telecommunications, expanding beyond traditional definitions.

The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks increases cyber security risks. Many OT services were not designed with cyber security in mind, leaving them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, banking, finance, and utilities, where any disruption can significantly impact society.

Increased Visibility

Fisher highlights that traditional cyber security alone is insufficient to secure these infrastructures. Effective protection requires a new approach focused on visibility. Garland Technology’s mission is to provide visibility to upstream cyber security platforms, eliminating blind spots.

Governments and businesses must recognise their roles in combatting cyber threats. Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure Act is a step towards increasing corporate responsibility in recognising critical infrastructure and ensuring compliance with security measures.