Where your money goes
MURDOCH CHILDRENS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The FOXTEL Lap raises money for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Australia's largest and most prestigious child health research organisation.
The Institute has a team of 1200 researchers dedicated to finding answers to the most pressing health issues affecting children today.
Donations through the FOXTEL Lap help launch new life-saving projects into conditions ranging from diabetes and allergies to cancer and premature birth.
Without your support, many of these important studies would not get off the ground as it is often difficult to attract bigger competitive grants for early stage research.
To read more about just a few of our research projects that have been made possible through start-up funding from donors, click here (http://www.mcri.edu.au/pages/research/news/2010/6/donations-vital-for-life-saving-research.asp)
Last year, the FOXTEL Lap raised $460,000, helping to fund important research to give children a happier and healthier future.
FOXTEL Lap funds vital new research.Funds raised from the FOXTEL Lap play a vital role in helping our research team find answers to pressing child health problems.
- Getting to the heart of the problem
- Unravelling the mystery of food allergy
- Helping babies and mums sleep easy
GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM
A severe heart condition left Wesley fighting for his life as a baby. He underwent two heart surgeries soon after birth to correct the problem, which affects the development of the heart.
Now aged two, Wesley is participating in a study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute to look at the impact of heart surgery on the development of babies born with serious heart disease.
Mum Amy says the family is taking part in the study to learn more about how Wesley's heart condition could affect his long-term health.
"This research is important because it focuses on Wesley's heart as well as other aspects of his health."
The study has recruited 75 babies, who are now being followed up at the age of two. Read more:http://www.mcri.edu.au/pages/research/news/2009/11/hearts-and-minds-study-celebrates-young-patients.asp
UNRAVELLING THE MYSTERY OF FOOD ALLERGY
Amelie was six months old when a food allergy test at hospital revealed she was allergic to peanuts. Today, even the smallest trace of peanuts can cause the six year old to break out in rashes.
Amelie is among a growing number of Australian children suffering from food allergies. She is participating in a study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute to induce tolerance to peanut in children with peanut allergy.
Lead researcher A/Professor Mimi Tang hopes the research will help prevent and treat food allergies in the future.
"There are many theories about why food allergy is rising, but we don't have a definitive answer. We're working really hard to find a new approach to treatment and to find a cure."
LINK TO VIDEO FROM TODAY TONIGHT http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1066393
HELPING BABIES AND MUMS SLEEP EASY
New mum Penny suffered many sleepless nights following the birth of her daughter Isabel.
Research by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute shows baby sleep problems triple the risk of postnatal depression among mums.
Thanks to this research, 1200 nurses across Victoria have been trained in techniques to help babies like Isabel sleep well.
"It means that I get a lot more sleep," Penny says.
"I can do the things I need to get done in the evenings without constantly having to be at Isabel's bedside." Read more (http://www.mcri.edu.au/pages/research/news/2010/3/controlled-crying-technique-safe-for-babies.asp)
To find out more about the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, please visit http://www.mcri.edu.au/ or phone 03 8341 6362.
MESSAGE FROM SARAH MURDOCH, AMBASSADOR, MURDOCH CHILDRENS
As a mum, the health of my children is my number one concern. It would be a parent's worst nightmare to be told that your child has a serious or life long condition that cannot be cured.
That is why the research at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute is so crucial. Their work provides our doctors and nurses with the knowledge to prevent and treat childhood illnesses.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute relies on the generosity of donors to fund new projects that will give researchers the best opportunity to improve child health today and into the future.
The FOXTEL Lap is the Institute's biggest fundraising event and needs your support to ensure big research discoveries can happen more quickly. I encourage you to take part to not only have fun and improve your own health and wellbeing, but also the health of Australian children.
