Father's mission to cure deadly children's brain cancer secures huge $250,000 donation

A Townsville dad’s mission to cure the brain cancer that killed his daughter has received a game-changing $250,000 boost from an unexpected source.

Ren Pedersen's Ren's Million Dollar Mission has received a huge boost with a $250,000 donation from prominent international businessman Kerr Neilson. Picture: Evan Morgan

A handshake has led to a major donation which is helping to fast-track a cure for a deadly children’s brain cancer.

After losing his daughter Amy to an incurable, aggressive brain stem cancer, Townsville man Ren Pedersen has dedicated hislife to funding research.

His Million Dollar Mission now supports ground-breaking Australian work bringing a potential childhood cancer cure closerto fruition.

Amy died from the aggressive brain stem cancer Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

The mission has now received a $250,000 donation from prominent international businessman Kerr Neilson, bringing the targetto almost the halfway mark.

“The fundraising landscape is very, very challenging here in Townsville and it’s good to have some national recognition fromarguably one of the world’s most famous investors; to have someone like that invest in what we’re doing,” Mr Pedersen said.

He said he had known Mr Neilson for 10 years but an invitation for him to visit the Children’s Cancer Institute at the SydneyChildren’s Hospital earlier this year led to the contribution.

Mr Neilson witnessed what they were doing in the laboratories.

“We looked each other in the eye and he shook my hand, and that’s kind of all that was said,” Mr Pederson explained.

“I’ve never formally approached Mr Neilson for funds, but he sent me an email and said, ‘I’d like to give your work $250,000’.

“Today, that handshake between fathers has transformed into a life-changing partnership via a quarter-million-dollar donationfrom Kerr’s Neilson Foundation to advance critical DIPG research.

“This donation goes straight into the hands of the scientists. There’s no middleman. That’s why I’m assisting the Children’sCancer Institute.

“I’ve walked that path, and Christmas is a bittersweet time for brain cancer and cancer families, and this particular donationfrom Mr Neilson is going to make a big difference and help us to expedite the process,” he said.

To make a donation or for more information to https://www.ccia.org.au/event/rens-million-dollar-mission/donate

Originally published as Father's mission to cure deadly children's brain cancer secures huge $250,000 donation