National Press Club of Australia

Charlie Teo Foundation funded researcher Prof Matt Dun today gave the televised National Press Club address in Canberra, and was presented with the 2024 Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Medal.   Our CEO Alana Phadke was honoured to attend the National Press Club of Australia as a guest of the University of Newcastle together with representatives of Prof Dun’s philanthropic funders including RUN DIPG, Little Legs Foundation, The Kids' Cancer Project, Isabella and Marcus Foundation and Rare Cancers Australia.   We are proud that Charlie Teo Foundation’s philanthropic support of close to $2 million has enabled Prof Dun’s exceptional brain cancer research and advocacy work being recognised today on a national level!   Matt is a man on a mission. He shared his experience as a scientist who dedicated his life to DIPG research when his daughter Josie was diagnosed with DIPG in 2018. Josie passed away 22 months post-diagnosis, forever 4 years old. We heard stories of HOPE and PROGRESS being made in DIPG/DMG research. We passionately share Matt’s plea that all of this is only possible if vital brain cancer research receives MORE FUNDING.   We are honoured to fund scientists like Prof Dun who display courage and humanity in their quest for a cure. Thank you Prof Dun for your recognition of Charlie Teo Foundation’s funding in your national address – to our supporters and donors, we could not do this without you!   Thank you also to University of Newcastle for acknowledging Charlie Teo Foundation’s funding of Prof Dun’s ambitious research into DIPG/DMG. We are immensely proud to work together to save our children’s lives.     “University of Newcastle is honoured to thank you for the generous support of the Charlie Teo Foundation to continue the ambitious I-DIMENSIONS project.   As you know, we believe this project represents an important step forward in our understanding of, and ability to effectively treat, DMG tumours. Your support is vital to completing this crucial piece of work.   Thank you for being part of our strong community of friends, alumni, staff and student supporters who are united to help those in need. Together, we can change lives and create a better future for generations to come.” -  University of Newcastle

Today I joined Professor Matt Dun at the National Press Club of Australia as he shared his experience as a paediatric cancer researcher who was confronted by his young daughter’s diagnosis with the most aggressive and currently incurable form of paediatric cancer, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). In the wake of Josephine’s diagnosis and passing, Professor Dun has used his personal and professional experience to create new hope for those diagnosed with DIPG through advocacy and his research, which has developed new treatments for DIPG and identified genomic dependencies. Professors Dun’s address was powerful, thoughtful and inspiring. #medicalresearch #DIPG #leadership