Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $3.15 million gift from The James Fairfax Foundation, the single largest donation they have ever made. This incredible generosity will help establish the new Children’s Centre for Transplantation and Research at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) — a groundbreaking initiative that has the potential to change the future for children requiring organ transplantation. 

A vision for transformative care 

The state-of-the-art Children’s Centre for Transplantation and Research will focus on improving outcomes for children who currently require organ transplantation. By bringing together world-leading research, the Centre aims to enhance the effectiveness of these life-saving interventions. In many cases, this could even mean children avoid the need for transplantation altogether. 

Professor Gordon Thomas, Paediatric Transplant Surgeon at CHW, explains the significance: “Organ transplantation is a vital component of healthcare for children with serious conditions, but a transplant, in its current form, is a temporary fix, not a cure. Transplants are highly invasive, can have long wait times, and at present, require a lifetime of immuno-suppressive drugs.” 

Pioneering research and technology 

Thanks to The James Fairfax Foundation’s generosity, the Centre will lead the world in utilising machine perfusion technology to trial potential therapies. This sophisticated technology allows organs to be maintained and treated outside the body, opening new doors for innovation. 

Professor Ian Alexander, Head of the Gene Therapy Research Unit at CHW, highlights the possibilities: “In this proposed new facility, where organs can be maintained on these sophisticated pieces of equipment, we can actually go in and test whether our gene repair technology and experimental therapies work in human tissue. This dramatically increases the likelihood of therapeutic success when trialled in children.” 

The Centre will also leverage genomic technology to research ways to reduce the risk of donor organ rejection. Ultimately, the goal is to use these advancements to genetically repair malfunctioning organs, eliminating the need for transplantation altogether.

Inspiring generosity  

Edward Simpson, Chair of The James Fairfax Foundation, underscores the transformative potential of this project: “As a foundation committed to advancing the works of charitable organisations across Australia, we believe it is our responsibility to support truly transformative projects like the Children’s Centre for Transplantation and Research. 

“This Centre has the potential to dramatically advance the health and wellbeing of unwell children facing life-threatening conditions. By investing in cutting-edge research and technology, we’re proud to give these children and their families new hope and longer lives. We hope our generosity inspires other organisations to join us in supporting this groundbreaking initiative.” 

The power of philanthropy 

Kristina Keneally, CEO of SCHF, emphasises the critical role philanthropy plays: “Thanks to advances in research and technology — many funded by philanthropy — we can now offer many sick kids with life-limiting conditions a better future and a longer life. Nonetheless, they still need our help to manage chronic and complex ongoing conditions.” 

While The James Fairfax Foundation’s gift has been instrumental in launching this initiative, an additional $1.77 million is needed to support the Centre’s first five years of development and ongoing operation. 

“Philanthropy accelerates research, drives breakthroughs, and delivers world firsts,” says Keneally. “On behalf of all the children requiring a transplant each year, we’re so thankful for the James Fairfax Foundation’s generosity in getting us started. But there is still more work to be done, and more support needed.” 

Join us in transforming lives 

We invite philanthropists, corporate donors, and individuals to join us in supporting this groundbreaking initiative. Together, we can ensure that the Children’s Centre for Transplantation and Research becomes a global leader in transforming care for sick kids. 

For more information or to make a donation, please contact SCHF’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, Colin Allen.