A LEADING MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE SPECIALISING IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS
Alzheimer’s Research Australia
With Professor Vicky Vass, Chief Executive Officer
ORGANISATIONS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | November 2024
Professor Vicky Vass serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer’s Research Australia, which is based in Perth, Western Australia. Australian Health Journal met with Professor Vass to hear of the organisation’s mission to solve the mysteries surrounding Alzheimer’s disease, and focus on detection as the key to their efforts.
Founded in 1993, the organisation now comprises a large research team, a clinical trials division, and an administrative support team. Their aim is to make Alzheimer’s a distant memory through rigorous research.
Their philosophy revolves around operating as one cohesive team, which includes all these parts as well as the board, fostering effective collaboration. Leading this team is Professor Ralph Martins AO, as the Chief Inspector in their mission. He focuses on uncovering pathways for prevention, intervention, and the latest treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Among the key studies highlighted by Professor Vass is the blood biomarker study led by Professor Ralph Martins, which aims to develop a cost-effective method for detecting Alzheimer’s through a simple blood test. Currently, detection methods involve multiple scans and intense processes, but this initiative could transform the landscape by making detection more accessible and affordable.
Another study is run by Dr. Prashant Bharadwaj who heads the research on childhood dementia, focusing on providing hope to the youngest patients affected by these debilitating diseases. His work is dedicated to ensuring that children have a future filled with memories rather than loss, striving to find ways to detect and ultimately cure childhood dementia.
The board of Alzheimer’s Research Australia comprises a diverse group of individuals, including academics and those involved in commercial work and aged care. The common goal uniting them is to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Funding for the organisation primarily comes from donations and rely heavily on this support, as they do not receive significant government funding, although they do get some grants for research.
Professor Vass describes Alzheimer’s Research Australia as an incredible place to work, boasting a community akin to a family. Every role within the organisation is respected, contributing to a common goal of making Alzheimer’s a distant memory for future generations.
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National Cancer Plan activates Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network
The landscape of cancer care in Australia is set to transform with the Australian Government launch in May 2024 of the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) at the Innovations Showcase event, hosted by Cancer Australia in Sydney, Australia.
The ACCN is a nationally integrated system of cancer care, aimed at enhancing patient experiences and outcomes through coordinated and equitable access, by linking to comprehensive cancer services across Australia. Anchored by Comprehensive Cancer Centres (CCCs), the ACCN strives to deliver evidence-driven prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support to all Australians affected by cancer.
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Mission to raise awareness of sarcoma and need for clinical trial funding
Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, remains the deadliest cancer for children and young adults, accounting for nearly one third (30%) of cancer-related deaths among those aged 15–24 and one tenth (10%) of those aged 0–14. Further, still severely under-diagnosed, sarcoma only accounts for one sixth (15%) of all cancer diagnoses in the 15 – 24 age group, and less than a tenth (8%) among children under 10.
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Addressing Wound Management
The cost of chronic wounds in Australia is estimated to be $3 Billion per year, impacting 420,000 Australians. Not only is this a national economic concern, but more importantly, is the suffering the person may be going through.
Australian Health Journal met with Hayley Ryan, Board Director and Chair at Wounds Australia and Director at WoundRescue to hear her work in chronic wound management, palliative wounds and pressure injury prevention to comfort those living with a wound.
