Philanthropists Kay Van Norton Poche AO and Gregory Poche AO have made a transformative gift of $20 million to help establish a world-leading cancer clinical trials research and development centre at Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital in Sydney.
The aim of the centre is to enhance global access to clinical trials for cutting-edge cancer therapies, offering hope to millions of patients with cancer.
It will be established in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSK) in New York City, a world leader in cancer research and treatment, and home to the world’s preeminent cancer clinical trials program.
The centre will recruit patients from metropolitan, rural and indigenous communities to streamline clinical trials and real-world data analyses across diverse populations.
“The generosity of this gift is extraordinary and will further increase the ability of cancer patients to participate in clinical trials with a world-class cancer centre in New York City,” said Professor Bruce Robinson AC, Chair of Research at the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD).
“We hope this gift will attract more donors to show their support to help eradicate cancer as a major cause of death,” said Kay, who with her husband Greg, are among Australia’s greatest philanthropists, having donated over $200m to health and indigenous development.
“The consideration and foresight from the Poche family donation will fuel research opportunities and foster innovative treatments for patients,” said Richard Ryan, CEO, North Shore Private Hospital.
The $20 million donation to establish a cancer centre in Sydney is the biggest in the history of the North Shore campus and the NORTH Foundation.
Her Excellency Caroline Kennedy, United States Ambassador to Australia, welcomed the donation and praised the global collaboration between the North Shore campus and MSK which will contribute towards President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot that aims to reduce the cancer death rate by half within 25 years and improve the lives of people with cancer and cancer survivors.
Kay and Greg generously contributed $6 million towards the Manly Adolescent and Young People Hospice (AYAH) which offers young people with life-limiting illnesses respite care, symptom management and end-of-life care.
