The NSW and Federal Governments have partnered with Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI), Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN)including the Kids Cancer Centre (KCC), and UNSW Sydney to plan and deliver an Australian first – the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre (MCCCC).
Construction is now well underway on the two new buildings that will house the future MCCCC ('M quad C'), sparking curiosity among campus staff and students, and the wider community, who are keen to learn more about the future of children’s cancer research and treatment at Randwick. Here's the answers to some of the more frequently asked questions... What is the MCCCC? The MCCCC is a collaborative partnership that will bring together clinicians and clinical staff, researchers and academics into a new, integrated facility spanning 20,000 square metres across both the UNSW Health Translation Hub and Sydney Children’s Hospital buildings currently under construction. MCCCC will combine research with clinical care, and support training and education opportunities for researchers, clinicians and the wider community. The facility presents a significant opportunity to revolutionise the models of research and care and treatments we provide to children and young people with cancer, and position Australia at the global forefront of paediatric cancer. Comprehensive Cancer Centres are considered the gold standard for researching and treating cancer. As designated by the United States National Cancer Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Centres are world-leading facilities dedicated to researching more effective approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. What makes the MCCCC so important? Although survival rates have improved tremendously, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease among children. Research in the new facility will span the entire spectrum – from laboratory research into prevention and treatment, through to research on the impact of cancer on families – rapidly integrating research breakthroughs into improved models of care and research. This seamless integration of doctors and scientists will allow the centre to use patient data from the bedside more effectively, to drive new research discoveries at the lab bench and to take these back to the bedside in real-time. With its world-leading facilities, MCCCC will provide an amazing opportunity to bring together scientists and clinicians, without boundaries or silos, to undertake world-class research focused on achieving the best outcomes for children and young people with cancer by accelerating innovation to intervention. The potential benefits and positive health outcomes also extend beyond children, cancer and Australia to other diseases and disciplines and to child cancer globally, with other countries seeking to emulate and learn from MCCCC. This is a generational opportunity to reimagine the way care and research are delivered and will have a lasting impact on children worldwide. Pictured: Artist impression of future MCCCC lab space Published February 2024