Lisa Graham, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Molecular Biologist & Clinical Trials Coordinator

Over the past three years, the Twin Towns Services Community Foundation has continued its strong commitment to provide much-needed funding for some of Australia’s world-leading medical research institutes.

The latest round of grants from the Community Foundation takes the total donated to medical research to over $1.5 million, with five national institutes recently receiving news of a financial boost, thanks to Twin Towns.

Twin Towns Board Director and Secretary of the Community Foundation, Dr John Griffin, said that whilst the Foundation predominantly delivers funding to local charities and community organisations, the Board has adopted “a more holistic approach”.

“Medical research into cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other debilitating diseases can bring widespread benefits to people on a global level.

“These donations have allowed the Foundation, on behalf of Twin Towns members, to play an integral role in assisting these teams who have the potential to develop life-saving treatments for people worldwide.”

Professor Lisa Horvath, Director of Research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, said she and her team are so grateful to have the support of the Twin Towns Services Community Foundation for their important research.

“It has enabled our investigation into a very challenging area of clinical oncology, the role that fatty acid plays in cancer biology.

“We already know that fat cells play a critical role in the growth of some cancers, and this study will help us better understand this relationship.

“With this knowledge, we will be able to develop new metabolic-based therapies for cancer and identify patients who are most likely to respond to these new treatments.

“The Twin Towns Services Community Foundation has been pivotal to this exciting and ground-breaking research,” Professor Horvath said.

The medical research projects which will be receiving funding from the Twin Towns Services Community Foundation include:

University of Queensland, $50,000 per year for three years for clinical studies relating to chronic kidney and heart disease (total $150,000).

Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, $50,000 per year for two years for research into colon cancer (total $100,000).

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, $50,000 per year for three years for prostate cancer biomarker research (total $150,000).

Florry Institute of Neurosurgery and Mental Health, $50,000 for research into the relationship between good cholesterol and dementia treatment.

Garvan Institute of Medical Research, $50,000 per year for five years for research into diabetes and Parkinson’s disease (total $250,000).

For more information on Twin Towns Services Community Foundation and Twin Towns ClubGRANTS, go to www.twintowns.com.au/community/