WA COMPREHENSIVE KIDS CANCER CENTRE OFFICIAL LAUNCH
(L-R): Will Burdett-Derby, Professor Rishi Kotecha, Professor Joost Lesterhuis, Emma Stone, Elizabeth Perron, Professor Nick Gottardo, Dr Santosh Valvi and Associate Professor Raelene Endersby.
The WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre was officially launched at Perth Children’s Hospital on 18 May, marking a significant milestone for childhood cancer care and research in Western Australia.
The Centre brings together leading clinical care and world-class research through a collaborative partnership between Perth Children’s Hospital, The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia, with the shared goal of improving outcomes for children with cancer and helping ensure all kids with cancer survive and thrive.
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation has committed $135.5 million over 10 years to support the establishment of the Centre — one of the largest philanthropic investments in health research in Western Australian history.
Speaking at the launch, Executive Chair of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Elizabeth Perron AM said the initiative strongly aligned with the Foundation’s long-standing focus on improving the health and wellbeing of children in Western Australia.
“While improving survival rates remains critical, it is equally important to focus on the long-term health and quality of life of children and their families during and following treatment,” Elizabeth said.
“This program will make a meaningful difference, giving children not only a chance to survive, but the opportunity to truly thrive.”
The Centre will focus on improving access to clinical trials, advancing personalised treatment approaches and accelerating research that can improve both survival rates and long-term quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer.
Importantly, the Centre will help ensure more Western Australian children can access leading treatment options closer to home, while research undertaken locally has the potential to contribute to advances in childhood cancer care around the world.
To learn more, visit the new website: WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre
Published: June 2026