Mineral Resources has pledged $1 million to support the new Rare Care Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital, a world-first in the provision of a holistic model of care for children with rare and undiagnosed diseases.
Around 63,000 Western Australian children live with a rare or undiagnosed disease. These are often chronic and progressive conditions characterised by pain, suffering, disability and premature death. In Western Australia today, a child with a rare disease waits an average of five years for a diagnosis.
The new Rare Care Centre has secured funding to develop a coordinated framework for medical professionals to address common challenges for children and families with rare and undiagnosed diseases so that children and families can live the best lives possible.
Through our longstanding partnership with Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, MinRes’ pledge of $1 million will support the Centre to provide improved care coordination and better access to care, community resources, clinical trials and research for an initial four years.
MinRes managing director Chris Ellison said committing funds to the centre aligned with the company’s proud history of supporting WA initiatives that drove positive health outcomes for children.
“As a proud WA company employing nearly 5,000 people, MinRes is delighted to support efforts to address common challenges for children and families living with a rare or undiagnosed disease,” Mr Ellison said.
“This centre will be at the global forefront of medical research and support services and we’re backing its talented medical researchers and practitioners to deliver improved outcomes for thousands of WA children.”
Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Carrick Robinson said the foundation was pleased to deepen its partnership with MinRes through an initiative that would ensure WA was uniquely placed to tackle an issue that affected so many children.
“Our relationship with MinRes is built on a shared passion for influencing the best possible outcomes for sick children across WA,” Mr Robinson said.
“We have some of the best exponents of clinical diagnosis, care and research based right here in our State, which will position the Rare Care Centre at the forefront of global efforts to discover new care pathways for rare diseases impacting children and their families.”
