Philanthropist Donates $5M to Skin Cancer Research

Source: ProBono News Australia , August 2014

Melbourne University has received a $5 million gift from a donor for new research into skin cancers in honour of her husband who died of melanoma.

The gift, from philanthropist Pamela Galli, will enable research to be undertaken in melanoma and skin cancers by the University of Melbourne, in partnership with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, as part of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC).

The donation will allow world-leading clinician and researcher Professor Grant McArthur to be appointed as the inaugural Lorenzo Galli Chair in Melanoma and Skin Cancers at the University of Melbourne.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Professor Stephen Smith said Professor McArthur, currently Director of the Melanoma Service at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, will lead translational research and teaching programs.

“Professor McArthur has an outstanding national and international track record in clinical and research work. His experience and insights into molecular medicine is an added advantage and he will drive innovation, change and collaborations within the Parkville precinct,” Professor Smith said.

“Despite recent improvements in the understanding of melanoma and skin cancers, it remains one of Australia’s major killers.”

“We need more research, better treatments and education programs and we need to teach the next generation of doctors. The establishment of the new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre will enable collaborations resulting in improved therapies,” Professor McArthur said.

“I am proud to be the inaugural Chair in Melanoma and Skin Cancers and I look forward to working with the University of Melbourne to accelerate the survival rates and ultimate cures for patients.

“This gift from Mrs Galli will add significantly to our capacity to improve outcomes for patients.”

After losing her husband Lorenzo to skin cancer, Pamela Galli said she felt compelled to support and advance medical research in this field.

“Lorenzo was always very adamant about the need to support medical research,” Galli said.

“I hope that this gift will go towards improving treatments for patients diagnosed with melanoma and bring us closer to one day finding a cure.