Foundation Prize supports Cure Brain Cancer Foundation

In the spirit of philanthropy, $500 from the St Margaret’s Foundation Prize is donated to a charity of the prize-winner’s choice. For 2021 Foundation Prize winner, Ella Woods (’22), the decision was a deeply personal one.

Ella presented the donation to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation on Assembly in March. The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation raises money to fund brain cancer research, raise awareness and advocate for patients and their carers in Australia. They are working towards improving quality of life for people living with this disease, in addition to supporting those who care for brain cancer patients.

Ella addressed her fellow students on Assembly sharing these words. ‘In partnership with the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research, the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is bringing a new trial called GBM Agile to Australia, which might offer some hope to people diagnosed with this disease. Glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, is the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer in adults, and there is little hope, with a median survival time of only 15 months from diagnosis, and only 5% of people survive five years post-diagnosis.

‘Traditional clinical trials take several years to evaluate a single treatment option, but this trial is revolutionary, as it accelerates the pace at which new treatments are tested and represents an extremely efficient way to find better treatments for GBM.

‘Many of you will know that my Dad passed away from GBM brain cancer. I have been extremely touched by the support shown to me and my family through this school community. The small actions, the smiles, hugs and kind messages, were all enough. But above that, I’ve received overwhelming support when I’ve participated in the Walk for Brain Cancer, and I hope everyone who contributed knows how much of a difference they made to my experience.

‘I feel so honoured to have been awarded this prize, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to give something back, and hopefully continue to raise funds for this incredibly important charity and the work they do,’ Ella said.

St Margaret’s Foundation proudly established the Foundation Prize in 2009 to recognise the compassionate efforts and dedication of St Margaret’s students to support others in the wider community, beyond what is practised at school or at home. It is awarded each year at the annual Speech Night to a student who has, amongst other criteria, made a real and identifiable commitment to supporting and furthering philanthropic endeavours within the school.

‘Our students are often the first to drive support for charitable causes within the local and global community. It is this quality we celebrate and recognise in our emerging future leaders through the Foundation Prize,’ previous Chair of Foundation Kylie Lamprecht (’90) said.

The 2022 recipient of the Foundation Prize is Ally Walker.