Bob Ingham was hailed as the “hero of health and medical research in Australia’’ after he and his family pledged another $1 million to the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research.
The Inghams’ new one million dollar contribution was announced at the first Ingham Institute Ball, held last Saturday where a further $230,000 was also raised.
Ingham Institute chairman Terry Goldacre heaped praise on Bob Ingham and his family.
“Without Mr Ingham’s generous support the Ingham Institute wouldn’t be where it is today – he really is the hero of health and medical research in Australia,” Mr Goldacre said.
“The pledge of these funds by Bob and his family comes at a real turning point for the Ingham Institute which is now operating as a 250-strong research team working on some truly ground-breaking medical research programs like the flagship MRI-Linac cancer research program,” he said.
Mr Goldacre declared the ball an extraordinary success and thanked all of the sponsors who made such a substantial contribution on the night.
John Ingham, Bob’s son and Ingham Institute director, said that “Bob was proud to see the Institute standing tall and delivering real health outcomes for a range of critical diseases affecting Australians including cancer, cardiovascular disease, childhood diseases and mental health.
“Dad is so proud to see his vision come to life and now operating as a world class medical research facility that is making a difference to the health and wellbeing of Australia,” John Ingham said.
“The recent pledge at the Ingham Institute Ball will contribute to helping the institute create more medical breakthroughs to improve healthcare and, ultimately, save lives.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop was a guest of honour at the ball, which celebrated the Ingham Institute’s achievements in health and medical research since opening in 2012 on the grounds of Liverpool Hospital.
TV personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley was MC for the night.
Those attending included members of major corporations and well known philanthropists. The long list includes Coolmore Australia, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Perich Group, Lady (Mary) Fairfax and the Walker Family Foundation.
More than $230,000 was raised on the night from the institute’s platinum, gold and silver sponsors, to add to the $1 million pledge from the Ingham family.
One of the focal points of the ball was a special interview with two of the Ingham Institute’s cancer researchers Professor Michael Barton and Dr Lois Holloway, who are leading the institute’s MRI-Linac cancer treatment research program.
A flagship program that is the first for Australia and one of only three in the world, the Ingham Institute’s MRI-Linac combines an MRI scanner with a Linear Accelerator for research into cancer therapy and treatment.
Housed in the Ingham Institute’s high-tech Research Bunker located in Liverpool Hospital Radiation Oncology Department, the new technology is set to improve the precision and accuracy of radiotherapy.
Current radiotherapy practices are limited to account for changes that occur to the location and shape of tumours.
By combining an MRI with a Linear accelerator the Ingham Institute’s MRI-Linac system will enable a defined and enhanced view of the tumour to ensure more precise and accurate treatment for cancer patients.
“Current cancer treatments don’t take into account changes that can occur to the location and shape of tumours, which move as a result of breathing, swallowing and other normal body changes,’’ Mr Barton said.
“The MRI-Linac will enable us to target the tumour with the radiation beam much more accurately in real-time, and have greater control over the radiation dose.’’
The Ingham Institute’s MRI-Linac project is progressing rapidly with the first half of the technology, the Linac, installed and assembled and the purpose-built MRI scanner due to arrive later this year.
Final project completion is anticipated by the end of 2015, at which point the Ingham Institute’s team of highly specialised cancer researchers will begin testing and clinical trials, with a view to use the MRI-Linac as a new mode of treatment for cancer patients in the future.
“Once the MRI-Linac is operational it will change the face of cancer therapy both here in Australia and worldwide,” Dr Holloway said.
For a detailed overview of how the MRI-Linac will revolutionise cancer treatment in Australia, visit the Ingham Institute’s YouTube Channel to see the latest footage detailing the progress of the Ingham Institute’s MRI-Linac cancer research program: http://www.youtube.com/inghaminstitute.
♦ The 2015 Ingham Institute Annual Ball sponsors were:
PLATINUM
Coolmore Australia
Johnson & Johnson Medical
Lady (Mary) Fairfax AC, OBE
Perich Group
The Walker Family Foundation
GOLD
D. Vitocco Constructions Pty Ltd
The Lopresti Family
Western Suburbs Leagues Club
SILVER
ADCO Constructions
Bradcorp Holdings
Cameron Brae Group
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Equity Trustees
Mainbrace Constructions
Masterton Homes
Max and Nola Tegel (representing Hilltrip)
Rotary Club of Narellan
PwC PricewaterhouseCoopers
Kelly Partners
Marsdens Law Group
Servcorp
William Inglis & Son Ltd
Wisdom Homes
