Westmead Medical Research Foundation

The Westmead Medical Research Foundation (WMRF) is an Australian not-for-profit organisation which awards grants, provides fundraising support, and community advocacy for health care and medical research at Westmead^[1] in the western suburbs of Sydney.

History

Westmead Medical Research Foundation was established in 1990 to support the care of sick children and adults and life-saving medical research. WMRF is based in Sydney's western suburbs.

A Board of Directors oversees the operations of the organisation. The current President is Patrick Wilde AM, a solicitor.

A Scientific Advisory Committee oversees grant applications and makes recommendations about the merits of individual applications for funding.

Vision and mission

The vision of the organisation is to transform lives by supporting outstanding medical research and care. Through the support of the community, the organisation achieves its mission by funding life-enhancing medical research and clinical care, and to advocate excellence, promote collaboration and foster talent.^[2]

Funding

The organisation grants approximately $3 million per annum across a variety of grant programs.

Equipment grants

Grants are awarded towards priority projects within Westmead Hospital that enhance services provided by doctors, nurses and allied health workers to patients and their families. Past equipment grants have been awarded to assist in the purchase of cutting-edge technology for the support of critically ill premature babies;^[2] an interventional neuroradiology machine as a minimally invasive approach used in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the head, neck, and spine such as cerebral aneurysms and strokes;^[3]

Major medical research equipment grants made by the organisation have been awarded to further the aims of Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research. Grants have been awarded for the purchase of a DNA sequencer and a Bead microarray system to assist with the understanding and identifying genetic markers that are associated with a variety of diseases, assisting in the prediction of individuals who may be more at risk to specific illnesses.^[3] The organisation assisted in the purchase of a cell sorter through a grant awarded in 2012.^[2]

Research grants

During 2012, the organisation awarded over $850,000 to support specific research projects, such as a study to provide objective biological markers to help in the diagnosis of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); the testing of medicines to help treat people living with the liver disease, hepatitis C; a study to help understand the role of the ovarian hormones, estrogen and progesterone, that may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer; and a clinical research support program.^[2][4][5]

Service grants

Grants are awarded to a variety of programs that provide direct patient benefits; such as a program that provides seriously ill patients and their families some respite from illness, enabling them to take a short vacation, without cost; a mobile outreach program that delivers health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in western Sydney;^[6] refurbishment of public rooms in the oncology/palliative care ward; and wheelchairs for use by patients within Westmead Hospital.^[7]

Infrastructure grants

The Foundation and its supporters have also contributed funds to support major infrastructure projects on the Westmead health campus. Between 1996 and 2000, the organisation contributed $8 million to enable the Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research to move into temporary premises. During 2002 and 2012, a further $9m was granted to Westmead Millennium Institute to assist in the construction of permanent research premises.^[2]

References