Lung Foundation Australia welcomes a grant to support programs and services that provide crucial care and guidance and improve outcomes for the almost 1 in 3 Australians impacted by lung disease and lung cancer.
Lung disease, including thoracic cancers and chronic lower respiratory diseases, is our nation’s second leading cause of death, yet prioritisation and level of investment in lung related research and support services in Australia remains disproportionately low.
Generous community donations and corporate support are crucial to ensuring Lung Foundation Australia, can provide vital services to help those most in need, particularly in the wake of a devastating bushfire season and amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Thanks to Pink Silks Trust, a charity committed to raising awareness and funds for women challenged by cancer or illness, $10,000 will be injected into Lung Foundation Australia’s programs.
Since 1990, Lung Foundation Australia has raised and invested over $40.9 million in its research program that’s changing the way we think about lung disease and lung cancer. The program has supported more than 260 early- and mid-career researchers and senior leaders in research to make significant advances in the field of lung disease and lung cancer research.
“In the past five years alone, 65% of successful applicants for our research awards and grants were women,” Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said.
“We know just 30% of the world’s researchers are women. While a growing number of women are enrolling in STEM courses at the university level, retention of women in long-term research careers remains a problem.
“Lung Foundation Australia is committed to gender equality in health and medical research and recognises the importance of actively supporting diversity in research.”
Diana Cox PhD Scholarship in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research award recipient Dr Laura Glenn said there could be nothing more beneficial to the lung health community than supporting women to undertake research.
“It is well recognised that increasing female participation in STEM fields increases innovation. More women participating in lung health research means more role models in the field for younger females, which will ultimately result in more women choosing to study science or medicine and undertake research,” Dr Glenn said.
“I hope that my research will contribute to more easily accessible, accurate and safe diagnostic pathways for patients with ILD. This will have implications not only for diagnosis, but also for prognostication and treatment of ILD.”
Mr Brooke says, “we’re very proud to support female researchers and, every day, we’re seeing the difference lung-related research is making in the lives of the millions Australian’s impacted by lung disease and lung cancer.”
“Now, after supporting tens of thousands of people with lung disease and lung cancer through the devastating bushfires, we are in the grip of a respiratory disease pandemic which has left the world reeling, shattering the global and Australian economy.”
“Now more than ever, we need to support these vulnerable Australians. We’re working hard to adapt our services to arm patients and their families with tailored information and support that will help them through this difficult time.
“You can make an impact by helping us to keep our vital services running in the face of unprecedented demand and financial distress. Together we can protect the vulnerable. Together we are united against COVID-19.”
Lung Foundation Australia is aiming to raise $50 million over the next 10 years to support research into chronic and rare lung diseases and lung cancer. If you would like to make a donation or major gift or discuss how to support Lung Foundation Australia in your Will please contact 1800 654 301.
United against COVID-19
In the wake of a devastating bushfire season and amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Lung Foundation Australia is facing unprecedented demand for its services as millions of Australians impacted by lung disease and lung cancer face one of their greatest challenges.
We’re working hard to adapt our services to arm those most vulnerable with tailored information and support that will help them through this difficult time. Stand united with us to ensure Australians with lung disease and lung cancer have access to our life-saving support services during this difficult time. Together we can protect the vulnerable. Together we are united against COVID-19.