Donor support transforming cancer care
ICF Chair Dr Jonathan Ramsay said the past year marked significant growth thanks to our donors.
Icon Cancer Foundation (ICF) has released its Impact Report for 2024/25, celebrating the generosity of our donors and the achievements in cancer research made possible through their support.
ICF Chair Dr Jonathan Ramsay said the past year marked significant growth thanks to our donors.
“Through your generosity, we launched our inaugural research grants program and funded a diverse range of projects, many aimed at improving quality of life for people living with cancer or chronic illness,” Dr Ramsay said.
With your support, we deepened collaboration with clinicians across Icon Cancer Centre, ensuring our research was guided by those on the front line of care.”
In 2024/25, ICF-funded trials supported 266 patients, recruited 45 new patients, expanded a prostate cancer study to Western Australia, funded a key cellular therapy research position, launched the research grant program, and developed four new investigator-initiated studies for FY25/26.
“Together, we backed studies exploring new ways to use existing treatments, trialled practical innovations, and helped bring forward research driven by patient need rather than commercial priorities.”
This research is vital to improving patient outcomes. With cancer rates in Australia expected to rise by 50 percent over the next 20 years, your support is more important than ever. “Thank you to our donors for making this work possible,” Dr Ramsay said.
Read more: qrco.de/icfinsightspring-summer2025
Improving care for breast cancer
A new clinical trial funded by Icon Cancer Foundation (ICF) is underway at Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens in South Australia, aiming to set a new standard of care globally for women with early-stage breast cancer, with patient experience at the core.
Designed by radiation oncologist Professor John Boyages AM, the PUMA trial compares two internationall recognised radiation doses used for partial breast irradiation (PBI) to determine the best standard of care.
The study, led at Windsor Gardens by radiation oncologist Dr Scott Carruthers, hopes to expand nationally.
The trial will directly compare 30 Gy versus 26 Gy, both delivered over five days, assessing tumour control and patient quality of life. For three years, PUMA will track outcomes including breast appearance, sensitivity, fatigue, mood, sleep, pain and daily activities.
This is a simple trial, but it could change practice,” Professor Boyages said. “PUMA is about quality of lifefinding the dose that offers the best outcomes for women.”
Read more:
qrco.de/icfinsight-spring-summer2025
Connecting with the community
Raising funds for blood cancer research
The Life-Saving List Gala (Queensland), organised by Josephine O’Brien in memory of her husband Liam, raised vital funds to support blood cancer and cellular therapy research. Thank you to everyone who supported this cause and to the Icon Cancer Centre nurses and Icon staff volunteers at the event.
Read more: qrco.de/icfinsight-spring/summer2025
Growing support for research
The BIG Charity Dinner in the Lockyer Valley (Queensland) was a celebration of community generosity in support of Icon Cancer Foundation. Guests enjoyed fireworks, a local-produce dinner and the ICF purple semi-trailer on display, all coming together to make a real difference for patients and research.
Read more: qrco.de/icfinsight-spring/summer2025
PUMA clinical trial team at Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens
Giving back through research
After a global career in business and agriculture, Bethwyn’s life changed in 2021 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer while in Singapore.
Determined to be near family, she returned to Brisbane and received care at Icon Cancer Centre, describing her chemotherapy and radiation as “deeply supported” and praising both doctors and staff.
Having personally benefited from advances in cancer treatment, Bethwyn wanted her philanthropy to reflect that experience.
“I want to donate to causes I have a personal affinity with. Icon Cancer Foundation (ICF) stood out because it supports patientcentred research conducted by healthcare professionals on the front line - projects that wouldn’t be funded otherwise,”
Bethwyn said.
What drew her most was the open conversation about where her donations could make a real difference.
“I want to see tangible outcomes - improvements in detection, survival or quality of life. With ICF, I could discuss gaps in care and how my support could help fill them.”
Bethwyn encourages others to explore giving: “Have the conversation. ICF was transparent from the start. Through their work, I feel I can give back in a meaningful way, supporting the research that made my treatment possible.”
Read more: qrco.de/icfinsight-spring-summer2025
How can I say thank you?
We often hear this question. Now, patients and their families can easily let your Icon care team know they’ve made a difference.
Leave a message on our Grateful Patient portal and - if you wish, support Icon Cancer Foundation. Find out more.
