Who we are
We believe
At Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF), we believe a world without cancer is possible. Guided by some of the brightest minds in cancer research we continuously look for new and improved ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. We back bold ideas – ideas that lead to breakthroughs and discoveries that help each individual diagnosed with this complex and disruptive disease.
We back brilliance
Backing brilliant research for over 40 years
Accelerating cancer research
Leveraging brilliance
Cancer research chosen by cancer researchers
ACRF grants have led to some ground-breaking discoveries
The development of a HPV cervical cancer vaccine
The uncovering of new breast cancer genes
The development of a blood test detecting early stages of cancer
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ACRF’s investment into cancer research across Australia
Our impact
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Oliver Jepson
Sophia Burfitt
The research
ACRF awards $10 million major grant
1/29/2025 3:26:00 AM | Cancer Research UpdatesWorld-first study into precision medicine yields extraordinary results
1/29/2025 3:30:00 AM | Cancer Research UpdatesACRF awards $5 million major grant to launch world-leading childhood cancer program
1/29/2025 3:23:00 AM | Cancer Research UpdatesOur history
Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) was founded in 1984 by the late Sir Peter Abeles AC and the late Lady Sonia McMahon. The Foundation’s focus was established following a survey of several science and medical professionals asking what they needed most to progress cancer research in Australia.
At the time, the need was for physical buildings to conduct research activities. Joining Sir Peter Abeles AC and Lady Sonia McMahon in establishing ACRF were the late Mr John Boettcher OAM and the late Sir Ian Turbott AO CMG CVO. Both were well respected, prominent contributors to the Australian philanthropic community.
Sir Peter Abeles AC also enlisted the assistance of a trusted business associate, Mr Tom Dery AO, who remains a driving force in the Foundation serving as its chair for more than 25 years.
By 1988 ACRF had raised its first $1 million and, after careful consideration, awarded its first grant to the St Vincent’s Medical Research Institute in Sydney. The grant’s focus was to establish the ‘Centre for Immunology’ for research into immune mechanisms in cancer, including biochemical regulation of growth factors, utilising leukaemic, bladder and colon cancer cells.
Since 1984, ACRF has provided grant funding of over $204 million to 90 projects in 44 institutions across Australia. A network of bright minds the Foundation is incredibly proud to support
Why the crab?
Cancer and the crab have been linked since the early days of medicine. The origin of the word cancer has been linked to the Greek physician Hippocrates (460 – 370 BCE), who is widely considered to be the “Father of Medicine”. Hippocrates used the term ‘karcinos’ (the word for crab) to describe a tumour, because the blood vessels which surround a tumour are crab-like in shape.
The Roman physician, Celsus (28-50 BCE) later translated the Greek term into cancer – the Latin word for crab – while another Roman physician, Galen (130 – 200 CE Common Era) used the word ‘oncos’ (Greek for swelling) to describe tumours. Although the crab analogy of Hippocrates and Celsus is still used to describe malignant tumours (eg. carcinoma), Galen’s term is now used to refer to the specialist study of cancer, oncology.