Areas of support - Health

The Foundation supports many initiatives in health care and medical research. A key focus is the support of the health research community, both to recognise the achievements of researchers and assist them in developing their work for the benefit of our communities.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Australia

Australia has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world and, with no current cure, research into the disease is key. Macquarie staff have been long-term supporters of  JDRF. This has been through staff volunteering, direct support, fundraising initiatives and participation in events such as the Walk and Ride to Cure Diabetes. Macquarie's support has earned staff a recent  Freedom Award as the largest corporate supporter of  JDRF.

The Macquarie Group Foundation's diabetes research partnership with JDRF aims to significantly increase the volume and impact of type 1 diabetes research and to support and recognise innovation in research programs.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC), Australia

NBOCC helps women with breast or ovarian cancer understand their diagnosis, treatment and support options. Its many education campaigns help raise community awareness about a range of breast and ovarian cancer issues. The Centre also helps the medical profession deliver the best possible care through specialised training programs and resources to improve the skills and knowledge of health professionals.

The Macquarie Group Foundation has been a long-term supporter of Breast Cancer and is the Principal Supporter of the Annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast. NBOCC's flagship event brings together leaders in the health, political and corporate arena to work together to reduce breast cancer mortality, to improve outcomes for sufferers and to broaden awareness and education of breast cancer issues.

Starlight Children’s Foundation, Australia

The Starlight Children's Foundation provides entertainment and laughter to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. Their innovative ‘Distractive Therapy Programs' are designed to be an integral part of the total health care of children. Currently, Starlight reaches one-third of the 600,000 children admitted to hospitals across Australia each year. Its aim is that all hospitalised children will have access to Starlight’s programs by 2010. In particular, Starlight is looking for ways to better look after the needs of seriously ill children from regional Australia.

The Macquarie Group Foundation has provided two years funding for Starlight to conduct an analysis of the needs of these children and their families. The study will enable Starlight to identify areas of greatest need in regional Australia and adapt its existing services or develop new programs.

Cure Cancer Australia

Cure Cancer Australia has provided funding for cancer and leukaemia research programs for more than 35 years. Cure Cancer Australia aims to be Australia’s leading independent foundation for cancer research - funding the critical early work of researchers searching for cures for cancers.

In association with Cure Cancer Australia, the Macquarie Group Fellowship in Cancer Research was established in memory of Macquarie staff who have been lost to cancer. The Fellowship is awarded each year to an outstanding researcher in a particular field of cancer research.  The award provides a foundation on which recipients can develop their research, progress their career and cement their position in the cancer research community.

Can Too, a program that enables people to train for major endurance events such as while raising money for cancer research, has raised $A1 million – enough to fund the work of 13 cancer researchers.  Established with a $75,000 grant from the Macquarie Group Foundation, Can Too has become Cure Cancer Australia’s biggest fundraiser in just two years.

Schizophrenia Research Institute, Australia

Professor Cynthia Shannon Weickert was recruited from the National Institute of Mental Health in the US to take up Australia’s first Chair of Schizophrenia Research. The position brings together three of Australia’s leading research organisations – the Schizophrenia Research Institute, the University of NSW and the Prince of Wales Medical Research Centre – with additional funding from the NSW Government and the Macquarie Group Foundation. It has been named the Macquarie Group Foundation Chair of Schizophrenia.

The Professor’s appointment positions Australia to take a leading role in schizophrenia research internationally and develop links with the US research community. The Macquarie Group Foundation has provided support to the Schizophrenia Research Institute since 2002, while Macquarie Executive Director Peter Maher, serves as the Institute’s Chairman.

Osteoporosis Australia

A serious bone disease, osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men around the world.  Osteoporosis Australia aims to reduce the incidence of the condition in Australia by promoting healthy bones. In 2003, it established a medical research fund to address the lack of research support being given to osteoporosis.  The Macquarie Group Foundation has committed three years’ funding for a Research Fellowship. The inaugural recipient, Dr Charles Chen from Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, is examining the relationship between cardiovascular and bone risk factors in twins, to get a better understanding of both osteoporosis and heart disease.

Mother and Children Health, India

Following the success of the Foundation for Mother and Children Health in Indonesia in 2001, an Indian arm of the Foundation was established in early 2006.

Funding from the Macquarie Group Foundation will provide health, nutrition, education and sustainable skills training programs in a rehabilitated slum community called Ganeshnager at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai.  This area consists of 390 families, equating to 2000 people. Funding will enable the  provision of health clinics which offer health, dental and nutrition advice as well as pre and post-natal services for mothers, children and community health workers.

Macquarie’s Mumbai office head Stuart Smythe and his wife Karen are actively involved with the organisation.

Other Health initiatives

Other Health programmes supported by the Foundation and our staff include: National Heart Foundation, Fragile X Association, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Alzheimer’s Australia, Cambridge Memorial Hospital (Canada), Diabetes UK, Children’s Hospital Westmead (NSW), Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital (UK), Royal Flying Doctor Services, Bionic Ear Institute, Trinity House Hospice (UK), MS Research Australia.