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Finding a cure for brain cancer
A cause close to Airtrain’s heart.
Chris Basche, CEO of Airtrain, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2002. For more than two decades he has been courageously battling a brain tumour which has seen him undergo a series of neurosurgeries at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney and at The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane, as well as radiation therapy and chemotherapy to combat the recurrent brain cancer. Demonstrating incredible resilience, Chris continues to undergo daily chemotherapy under the supervision of his oncologist.
Reflecting on his experience, Chris says:
“I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional medical team supporting me; their expertise has made an enormous difference in shaping my outlook. I maintain a positive attitude, but I am acutely aware that finding a cure will offer hope to countless individuals grappling with the devastating diagnosis of brain cancer.”
Unfortunately, Chris’ story is not unique. Each year, around 2,000 Australians are diagnosed with brain cancer and almost 1,500 won’t survive the disease.
Chris has chosen to share his journey to give confidence to others who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour that there is a path forward in battling with this formidable disease. His story serves as a beacon of hope for others in their battle against brain cancer.
Our partnership with QIMR Berghofer
Airtrain has partnered with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute to promote their incredible work and raise much needed funds for medical research.
QIMR Berghofer aims to improve the health and well-being of all people by developing new ways of preventing, detecting and treating serious and potentially deadly diseases. This is achieved through fundamental research, drug development and clinical trials.
QIMR Berghofer’s dedicated brain cancer researchers share our mission to find a cure for this devastating disease. While the journey towards a cure for brain cancer is complex, the collective efforts of researchers, healthcare professionals and advocates are paving the way for new discoveries and achievements.
Thanks to the generosity of our customers, so far we have raised an incredible $40,000 in donations that go directly to brain cancer research at QIMR Berghofer. Help us to reach our next milestone of $50,000.
The Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer, Professor Fabienne Mackay, says:
“Brain cancer survival rates are still far too low and more research is desperately needed. At QIMR Berghofer, our researchers are dedicated to find new ways of diagnosing and treating brain cancer to give patients the best possible chance of fighting the disease. We are extremne in this effort to improve brain cancer survival and give patients hope of a better future.”
Show your support for brain cancer research
You can help to transform lives by showing your support for the work undertaken by QIMR Berghofer.
100% of the donations received go directly to fund their research.
Ways to donate:
- Online Booking Form – When you book your Airtrain tickets online via the Booking Form you can tick the donation box. All donations go directly to life-saving brain cancer research at QIMR Berghofer.
- Directly via the QIMR Berghofer website
- Cash collection tins at the international terminal
Together, we can make an impact in finding a cure for brain cancer.
Please note that all donations are non-refundable, this is due to the fact that 100% of the donations received go directly to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
Latest updates
February 2025
Childhood brain cancer research breakthrough could transform treatment
Researchers at QIMR Berghofer have co-led an incredible world-leading breakthrough in childhood brain cancer research, having shown a potential new targeted therapy for childhood brain cancer can effectively infiltrate and kill tumour cells in pre-clinical models. The findings have been hailed as potentially transformative for the treatment of medulloblastoma, the most common childhood brain cancer, and could also apply to glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Learn more.
January 2025
Donation progress
August 2024
Researchers develop ground-breaking immunotherapy for aggressive brain cancer
QIMR Berghofer researchers have developed super-charged immune cells that could potentially improve glioblastoma survival by fighting the deadly brain cancer and preventing its recurrence. The researchers have developed a promising CAR T cell immunotherapy that is genetically engineered to target and destroy glioblastoma cancer cells. Learn more.
