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

Experts question social media ban’s effectiveness for youth

Debate over social media ban: Alex Coates advocates education over enforcement, warns of risks for youth and community connections

Published

4 days ago

December 5, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Debate over social media ban: Alex Coates advocates education over enforcement, warns of risks for youth and community connections

In Short:
– The ban aims to enforce social media protocols for the younger generation.
– Alex Coates argues for education over enforcement, highlighting challenges in monitoring restrictions.

A new ban on certain social media platforms aims to establish protocols for children’s online usage, but experts question its effectiveness.

Alex Coates from Interactive Australia highlights the challenges of policing such restrictions and suggests that education on safe social media habits may be more effective than enforceable laws.

Emerging platforms like Yope and Lemonade are already attracting young users looking to bypass the initial bans, raising concerns about enforcement. Coates points to the lack of a reliable digital ID system as a significant hurdle, making it difficult to control who accesses certain platforms.

Marginalised and regional communities could face unintended consequences, as social media often serves as a key communication tool. Experts warn that failing to discuss online safety at home may exacerbate domestic issues, while the shift to less regulated platforms could increase risks to mental health, cybersecurity, and digital resilience.

Coates encourages families and individuals to seek more information and join the ongoing dialogue with Interactive Australia.

For more information, visit Interactive.

Leaders

AI scams target Australian shoppers during festive season

AI scams surge as Australian retailers prep for record holiday spending, risking consumer losses and heightened fraud detection challenges

Published

1 week ago

December 1, 2025

Harvey Vargas

AI scams surge as Australian retailers prep for record holiday spending, risking consumer losses and heightened fraud detection challenges

In Short:
– Australian shoppers are projected to spend $6.8 billion over Black Friday to Cyber Monday, attracting fraudsters.
– Australians are losing nearly $1,700 per person to sophisticated AI-generated scams, nearly double last year’s loss.

The Australian Retail Association projected shopper spending at $6.8 billion over Black Friday to Cyber Monday, viewed as a prime opportunity for fraudsters. According to Adyen country manager, Hayley Fisher, recent Adyen Index findings reveal Australians lost nearly $1,700 each to scams, primarily driven by AI technologies. AI advancements are making scams more convincing, leading consumers to fall victim to fraudulent emails mimicking trusted brands. Retailers face sophisticated fraud leveraging AI, with scams designed to mimic genuine shopping behaviours. The festive period is crucial for retailers seeking new customers while managing the challenge of distinguishing legitimate shoppers from fraudsters.

Consumers are advised to be vigilant during this shopping season, verifying URLs and being cautious with card details. Retailers are urged to employ advanced AI-based fraud detection tools, moving away from outdated methods that fail to combat modern fraud tactics.

Adyen implements its “Adyen uplift” method, incorporating behavioural signals to enhance fraud detection and prevention. Retailers should evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies post-Black Friday to refine approaches for Cyber Monday. Additionally, there is a push for improved customer experiences as retailers streamline payments both online and in-store to manage customer flow efficiently.

For more information, visit Adyen.

Leaders

Regional small businesses thrive through digital marketing strategies

Regional small businesses thrive as marketing improves and technology enhances growth potential amid rising city living costs, says Sarah Cann

Published

2 weeks ago

November 28, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Regional small businesses thrive as marketing improves and technology enhances growth potential amid rising city living costs, says Sarah Cann

In Short:
– Small businesses outside major cities are growing due to better marketing, streamlined systems, and strategic focus.
– The internet enables regional businesses to connect with wider audiences and scale operations effectively.

Small businesses outside major cities are experiencing rapid growth due to enhanced marketing, streamlined operations, and focused strategies. Rising living costs in urban areas are prompting many entrepreneurs to seek opportunities in regional markets.The internet and technological advancements enable these businesses to reach local, national, and international audiences more easily. Transitioning from local to national mindsets is facilitated by digital marketing and online platforms.

Sarah Cann from Powered by Sarah Cann, highlights the importance of effective, integrated marketing for small businesses. She refers to this as “functional marketing,” stressing the need for a solid marketing foundation rather than reliance on trends. Expert marketing advice is recommended for sustainable growth.

Regional businesses often benefit from authenticity, as owners typically serve as the face of their brands, fostering strong connections with customers. Their agility allows them to adapt quickly compared to larger enterprises. Building community, both online and offline, is vital for cultivating loyalty and customer relationships.

Cann offers a comprehensive approach to marketing, including market research, strategy, product development, and digital advertising. She provides flexible services, functioning as a fractional chief marketing officer or collaborating with existing teams.

For more information, visit Powered by Sarah Cann