YOUR IMPACT OF GIVING

Dear Friends

Welcome to the first edition of WEHI’s Impact of Giving report for 2024.  

I am often humbled when I read of the generous donations you’ve made to WEHI’s research and I appreciate that you share our passion to make transformative discoveries to solve some of the world’s most complex health problems.   

I am inspired by your stories and I hope you too are inspired when you read about the incredible research being advanced at WEHI thanks to your gifts.  

Your support spurs our researchers on to make bold discoveries in areas such as cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing. 

Throughout my career, I’ve personally been supported by philanthropists and have first-hand experience of the empowerment that philanthropic support engenders.  

Grants from organisations such as The Wellcome Trust, The Rockefeller Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Charles Feeney’s Atlantic Philanthropies, Drakensberg Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have provided me with the impetus and inspiration to continue my research, to push through setbacks and strive towards the goal of eradicating malaria. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and I hope you enjoy our latest Impact of Giving. I look forward to introducing you to our new director, Professor Ken Smith, when he commences his role at WEHI in April this year. 

“WEHI isn’t only a place where great discoveries are made, it’s where ideas are debated, pursued and celebrated. This is how we tackle the biggest health challenges facing our community. Philanthropy is an integral part of that process.” 

Professor Alan Cowman AC, Acting Director, WEHI  

Professor Alan F. Cowman AC FRS FAA

Director (acting)

WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall institute of Medical Research)

Professor, Department of Medical Biology

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

The University of Melbourne
 

Thank you

for your very generous support.

Every dollar of philanthropic funding we receive goes directly to WEHI's research.

This includes support for scientific laboratories, for collaborative research projects and programs, for cutting edge technology and equipment, and for critically important, talent-building fellowships, scholarships and awards, to help attracts, retain, and reward the brightest scientific minds from across the globe.

Your support enables WEHI’s researchers to investigate the biological mechanisms involved in disease, and to use their discoveries to improve the diagnosis, prediction, prevention and cure of disease, enhancing health outcomes worldwide. 

The impact of philanthropic gifts, such as yours, cannot be emphasised enough. These gifts collectively contribute to medical research breakthroughs that help us all live longer, healthier lives. 

Nearly 110 years ago Eliza Hall made the decision to support the establishment of WEHI through the Walter and Eliza Hall Trust. Since that time, we have remained true to her vision to be "the birthplace of discoveries rendering signal service to mankind in the prevention and removal of disease and the mitigation of suffering”. 

Your generous support for medical research at WEHI is tremendously appreciated and has made a significant difference towards saving and improving the lives of millions of people around the world. 

Thanks to your support, we are able to push beyond the boundaries of medical research and ask ourselves:    

WHAT IF we could cure cancer?  

WHAT IF we could stop dementia in its tracks?  

WHAT IF we could eradicate infectious diseases?  

Together, we can make life-saving discoveries.  

Once again, thank you for your support and your belief in our work. The commitment you have demonstrated in supporting WEHI’s research really touches all of us and we are indeed most grateful.