• A short history
• Vision, mission, values
• Supporting research
  • Infection & immunity research
  • Cancer research
  • Liver & metabolic research
  • Neuroscience & vision research
  • Cardio-respiratory research
  • Initiating Grant for Young Investigators
• Supporting care
  • Movement disorders

A short history

Westmead Medical Research Foundation was established in 1990 when some of the leading researchers at Westmead sought help to fund their search for cures and treatments for diseases and illnesses that were impacting the local community.

The Foundation (then known as The Millennium Foundation) grew quickly to provide infrastructure to support the successes achieved by the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, particularly in peer-reviewed NHMRC and ARC grants.

In recent years, Westmead Medical Research Foundation has provided funding to support medical breakthroughs that are transforming and saving lives in our community. Researchers have:

• Discovered new clues to unlocking the secrets to the deadly fungal meningitis, and are on the way to developing more effective antifungal drugs

• Uncovered new factors that may slow or even prevent the growth of leukaemia

• Made groundbreaking progress in developing a strategy to prevent liver cancer

• Been part of a world first investigation to identify the genetic, brain and cognitive markers that influence our responses to anti-depressants

The Foundation has also provided financial support for vital equipment used by Westmead Hospital.

For example, in 2008, thanks to the generosity of individual, community and business donors, Westmead Medical Research Foundation raised $750,000 to help acquire a $3.5 million piece of equipment for the Hospital to effectively treat patients suffering from life-threatening aneurysms without invasive surgery.

In 2010, Westmead Medical Research Foundation signed a historic agreement with Sydney West Area Health Services (SWAHS) that positioned the Foundation as the primary fundraiser for Westmead Hospital.

Today, Westmead Medical Research Foundation continues to support the world-leading research undertaken by Westmead Millennium Institute. In addition, it is now in a position to secure funding support for critically-needed activities, resources and equipment at Westmead Hospital.

The collaborative efforts between Westmead Hospital and Westmead Millennium Institute are long-standing, and researchers at the Institute have contributed to new treatments and therapies at Westmead Hospital for decades.

For the community, this means patients across Greater Western Sydney have access to one of the biggest, best and most productive medical services and research 'hubs' in the nation. Westmead Medical Research Foundation receives no government funding for its activities.

Instead, we generate $2.8 million a year to support the extraordinary medical research and services provided by Westmead's doctors, nurses and researchers through community activities: fundraising, events, direct marketing, corporate gifts, grants, bequests and financial returns.