Victorian premier pledges $35 million children’s cancer research boost if re-elected
The state government will pour $35 million into children’s cancer research in Victoria if re-elected in November’s election.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the lives of kids living with cancer would be transformed under the pledge.
“This will have enormous benefits in Victoria,” he said.
The funding will change and save many lives, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford added.
“For anyone at any age, a cancer diagnosis can is a terrifying prospect as a parent this can be doubly true,” she said.
“I know what it’s like to have a doctor say your child has cancer, it was the worst moment imaginable.”
Pulford lost her 13-year-old daughter, Sinead, to cancer back in 2014.
“Three days ago my daughter should have been turning 21. And we lit some candles,” she said.
“I truly believe this plan will make for the lighting of more birthday candles and less memorial candles.
“We need to do better for our kids.”
Andrews said the funding would be rolled out over the next four years if Labor is re-elected next month.
“We will invest in additional research for children’s cancer, it’s about dealing with life-long impacts of cancer care,” he said.
“All of this is possible because we have the best hospitals with the best staff.
