The Daffodil Centre: Enhancing Australia’s cancer research capacity

Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney have announced a joint venture to create The Daffodil Centre, combining the strengths of the two institutions to build a globally leading research centre on cancer control and policy.

Officially opened on Tuesday 30 March, by the NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research, the Hon Brad Hazzard MP, the Daffodil Centre’s priority will be to provide timely and relevant evidence to state, national and international policy-makers to inform decisions in cancer control. The Daffodil Centre will help to clarify and quantify the best, evidence-based investments in all aspects of cancer control.

Minister Hazzard said The Daffodil Centre will play a key role in enhancing cancer research.

“This partnership presents an exciting opportunity for ongoing collaborative, multidisciplinary research to reduce the impact of cancer through primary prevention, screening, early detection, cancer treatment, care and survivorship. With one in two people in NSW diagnosed with some type of cancer in their lifetime, The Daffodil Centre will play an important role in working towards a cancer free future,” Mr Hazzard said.

The increased research capacity resulting from the partnership will mean new findings and discoveries will be more quickly and efficiently translated into tangible policy change, such as better prevention, early detection and care strategies – ultimately saving many more lives across NSW, Australia and globally.

This is bringing world leading research teams together and leveraging off each other’s strength

Professor Karen Canfell, Daffodil Centre, Director

Inaugural Director of The Daffodil Centre, Professor Karen Canfell says that the research opportunities presented by the centre will help reduce the impact of cancer in Australia.

“The Daffodil Centre partnership represents a milestone in Australian cancer research. By bringing together researchers from both partner organisations we will enhance the research capacity and expertise of both institutions and broaden impact. This means our research will be more efficiently and more widely translated into life-saving cancer control policies and programs.

“Combining the university’s biomedical, public health and behavioural research expertise with our well-established capability in epidemiology and our connection to community as the state’s largest cancer charity will also enable us to address existing inequities and to pivot rapidly in response to urgent and emergent public health issues.”

This will be a go-to place for researchers to develop their careers in cancer control

Professor Anne Cust, Daffodil Centre, Deputy Director

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Stephen Garton said the partnership has the potential to dramatically accelerate cancer research and the evidence-base behind prevention, treatment and care: “The Centre brings together the brightest minds, state-of-the-art resources and valuable community connections to strengthen NSW and Australia’s position as a leader in cancer research,” he said.

Professor Robyn Ward, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health concluded: “This is an extraordinary opportunity to bring together the expertise of two organisations who are committed to improving cancer control and possibly one day a cancer free future.”