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

SMEs struggle in global supply chains: Building national trade resilience

Bronwyn Reid highlights challenges for SMEs in global supply chains and the need for national trade resilience

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Bronwyn Reid highlights challenges for SMEs in global supply chains and the need for national trade resilience

In Short:
– Bronwyn Reid highlights challenges SMEs face in global supply chains, including unclear requirements and limited capacity.
– Trust and ESG compliance are critical for SMEs, requiring large companies to simplify their demands for better relationships.

Bronwyn Reid from Small Company, Big Business highlights the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face within global supply chains and emphasizes the importance of building national trade resilience.

Reid identifies a “gap effect” in the relationship between large firms and SMEs, consisting of three key disconnects. Large companies often impose stringent requirements on SMEs, which may lack the resources to meet them, resulting in unclear expectations and frequent changes. Many SMEs struggle to keep up due to limited capacity and staffing constraints.

Significant potential

She stresses that national trade resilience depends on the depth of supply chains, not just cost efficiency. Shallow supply chains are vulnerable, as demonstrated during the disruptions caused by COVID-19. In Australia, the economic relationship between large companies and SMEs is valued at around $500 billion, highlighting significant potential to strengthen these partnerships.

Trust has become a critical factor in supply chain relationships, alongside delivery times and pricing. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 78% of people trust their employers, while only 64% trust businesses more broadly. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance has also become essential, but SMEs face challenges navigating complex and shifting requirements. Reid advises SME owners to simplify their approach to ESG, while urging large companies to adjust their expectations to better support smaller partners.

For more information, visit Bronwyn Reid.

Leaders

Co-Living: A modern solution to Australia’s housing crunch

Published

3 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Yannick Ieko highlights co-living as an evolved, secure housing solution for mature renters in Australia’s tight market

In Short:
– Co-living is an upgraded rooming house offering safe, shared accommodation for mature tenants needing housing.
– Properties accommodate up to nine households and feature hotel-like suites alongside shared living spaces.

Co-living is emerging as a smart, modern alternative to traditional housing, offering safe and high-quality shared living spaces.

Unlike student accommodations focused on socializing or parties, this model is designed for mature individuals navigating Australia’s tight housing market and seeking affordable, comfortable homes.

A typical co-living property accommodates up to nine households while retaining the exterior of a standard home. Interiors are thoughtfully designed to balance privacy and community living, featuring five to nine hotel-quality suites, each with a spacious bedroom, en-suite bathroom, and kitchenette. Common areas include a main kitchen, living room, and outdoor space, creating a welcoming environment for residents to connect.

High demand

According to Yannick Ieko from The Harmony Group, co-living offers cost-effective housing solutions for tenants, with room prices averaging around $200,000 in desirable locations. Investors also benefit, as properties in prime areas tend to appreciate over time. Multiple households renting simultaneously generate strong cash flow, while the model’s low vacancy risk makes it a relatively safe investment. High demand and limited supply further enhance its appeal to property buyers.

Regulatory requirements classify co-living houses as 1B residential dwellings, ensuring safety standards are met while streamlining construction and approval processes. One of the main challenges for expanding co-living is the limited availability of specialized funding from lenders.

For more information, visit theharmonygroup

Leaders

Sendle’s closure impacts Australia’s small business logistics

Jimmy Wu discusses Sendle’s closure and its negative impact on small businesses and competition in Australia’s logistics sector

Published

7 days ago

January 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Jimmy Wu discusses Sendle’s closure and its negative impact on small businesses and competition in Australia’s logistics sector

In Short:
– Sendle’s closure highlights challenges for Australian startups and small businesses, reducing competition and raising prices.
– Small businesses struggle with Australia Post’s dominance, lacking volume for bargaining and support.

The recent closure of Sendle has cast a spotlight on the increasing pressures facing startups and small businesses in Australia’s logistics sector. As competition shrinks, delivery costs are rising and service levels are declining, leaving businesses to navigate a more challenging landscape.

For many small enterprises, reliable logistics is critical—not just for day-to-day operations, but for the growth of their ecommerce operations.

Jimmy Wu from Zappy Australia joins Ticker to explain how these changes are impacting small businesses differently from larger players. Startups often face tighter margins and fewer alternatives, meaning that even small increases in shipping costs or delays in service can have outsized effects. “For smaller businesses, every delay or extra cost compounds quickly,” Wu explains. “This can influence customer satisfaction, cash flow, and ultimately the ability to scale.”

Potential solutions

The current situation echoes earlier exits in the industry, such as Temando in 2019, which also left gaps in logistics services for smaller enterprises. Wu suggests that the future of ecommerce growth in Australia will depend heavily on innovation in logistics, from more flexible delivery options to technology-driven efficiency improvements. Potential solutions may include collaboration between smaller logistics providers, increased use of digital platforms, and alternative shipping models tailored for startups.

As the sector evolves, small businesses must remain nimble and proactive in adapting to these challenges. Understanding the shifting logistics landscape and exploring innovative solutions will be key for companies looking to thrive in Australia’s increasingly competitive market.

For more information, visit Zappy.

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