CIKA was founded in 1980 by three families, to increase the awareness of cancer in children and to encourage financial support to aid research into children’s cancer.

Over 140 children under 15 years of age are diagnosed with cancer each year in Victoria and 90% of these children are treated at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

CIKA is committed to providing funding for research into solid tumours, the most common group of childhood cancers. Solid tumours include Wilms’ tumour, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma.

Apart from the influence of genetic factors, inherited conditions and exposure to ionising radiation, little is known of the causes of childhood cancers and nothing can be done to prevent them. Therefore, the need to continue the financial support for research is imperative.

The hopes and dreams of CIKA are to stop children from ever contracting these types of cancer, but, if they do, to ensure that the treatment they receive will be successful. At present the only way to move positively towards these ideals is through research.

Since its inception, CIKA has actively supported research projects at the RCH with financial assistance and will continue to do so until all solid tumour cancers can be cured.