An internationally renowned clinical oncologist and children’s brain cancer specialist will help lay the foundations for the arrival of proton therapy treatment and research in Adelaide from early next year.
Associate Professor Jordan Hansford will share his expertise through dual roles with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN).
This joint appointment was proudly funded through The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group, as well as a philanthropic gift from Commercial & General founder Jamie McClurg and the University of Adelaide.
A/Prof Hansford will provide direct care to patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, build upon proton therapy research, and develop referral and care pathways for children who will soon be referred to South Australia for proton therapy.
This type of therapy will deliver precise, less invasive radiotherapy that can destroy cancer cells while minimising the damage to surrounding healthy tissue and vital organs. This enables treatment with less side effects for paediatric, adolescent and young adult patients and those with rare cancers.
THRF Group CEO, Paul Flynn, said he is delighted to help bring Associate Professor Hansford to Adelaide and support him in the role of THRF Group Paediatric Radiation Oncology Fellow.
“We know he will be instrumental in saving and improving the lives of children and their families,” said Mr Flynn.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said:
“South Australia is continuing to attract the best and brightest to our great state and this new appointment adds to the incredible talent, expertise and knowledge within our health and medical research community,” said Minister Wade.
“This is an exciting milestone for the treatment of cancer in South Australia and is a testament to our state’s strong reputation within international health networks.
“We would like to welcome Associate Professor Hansford to this important role and look forward to his valuable contribution to the treatment of cancer in this state.”
This new role is the first key paediatric appointment for the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research which will be Australia’s first proton therapy centre and the first centre of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
The centre is due for completion in late 2023 and is expected to see around 700 patients a year when treatments begin in 2025.
This has been made possible thanks to our generous donor community and ticket buyers in The Hospital Research Foundation Group Home Lottery.
