Meet the new local charity transforming brain cancer care — from the hospital, to the lab, to your home. 

Our Canberra, Our Community, Our Fight Against Brain Cancer.

Brain cancer is the deadliest cancer in Australian children. It takes a life every five hours. In Canberra, its impact has been especially heavy — families have faced it alone, with specialist care spread thin and little to no coordinated, in-home support. 

That’s what the Australian Brain Cancer Foundation (ABCF) is here to change. 

The ABCF was founded by local Canberra family Milena and Nick Skepev. Milena — a mother of three, long-time advocate and now CEO — led the creation of ABCF to address a gap that had gone unfilled for too long. She saw the urgent need for a community-led solution that puts local families, hospitals and researchers first. 

“We created ABCF so no Canberra family has to face brain cancer alone,” says Milena. “We’re building better care at every level — in homes, hospitals, and research labs — right here in the ACT.” 

A quiet revolution 

As Brain Cancer Awareness Month approaches this May, a profound yet quiet transformation is underway in Canberra, driven by the ABCF. This volunteer-run organisation has been rewriting how brain cancer is tackled in Canberra since its launch in September 2024.

For years, the generosity of Canberrans has quietly powered brain cancer support well beyond our borders. We’ve backed national programs, funded vital research, and stood by families across Australia — because that’s who we are.

But now, it’s time to turn that same generosity inward.

It’s time for Canberra families facing brain cancer to feel that same level of care — in their own city, in their own homes, when they need it most.

“Our vision is bold — Canberra shouldn’t just support brain cancer care; it should set the global standard,” Mile Petrevski, Strategic Advisor (ABCF) says. “We’re harnessing the strength of our community to transform our city into a world-leading hub for brain cancer support, care, and innovation.”

Leading a new model of brain cancer care in the ACT 

The ABCF uses a wraparound approach to brain cancer — investing in three critical areas:  

• Patient and Family Care  
• Local Research  
• Medical Equipment  

And they’re doing it differently. Thanks to generous principal sponsors — Zapari, Trinity Law, and Maxim Chartered Accountants, who covered startup and operational costs — 100% of public donations go directly to their programs, not overheads.  

As the Foundation grows, ABCF is committed to continuing this model — working hard to secure sponsorships that cover overheads, so every public donation goes exactly where it should: to the cause. 

Guided by ABCF’s Medical Advisory Committee — a team of Canberra’s leading doctors and specialists — the Foundation is building a complete support system to tackle every stage of the brain cancer journey. 

Because this isn’t just about funding programs — it’s about redefining what care looks like, starting right here in the ACT. 

The Canberra Brain Cancer Support Team (CBCST) 

In March 2025, ABCF launched its flagship initiative — the Canberra Brain Cancer Support Team, the first service of its kind in the ACT region. Delivered on ABCF’s behalf by the Peace of Mind Foundation, the program is led on the ground by Elizabeth Bloom, a dedicated local Brain Cancer Community Navigator. It reflects ABCF’s belief in collaboration over duplication. 

“We didn’t reinvent the wheel,” says ABCF Founding Director John Irvine. “After 18 months of consultation, the need for wraparound care in Canberra was clear.” 

The CBCST provides direct, personalised in-home support, tailored to each family’s needs. It became reality thanks to a $585,000 commitment from thirteen generous Founding Partners: The Pantano Family, Stephen Byron, The Snow Foundation Canberra Airport, D-Group, Capital Asphalt, CPS Concrete Group, JW Land, Strategic Financial Services ACT, IC Formwork, Keenan Verrar (LJ Hooker Canberra), Jericho Capital, Elevated, Cappello Group.

“Coordinated, wraparound care in brain cancer has been urgently needed for years,” says neurosurgeon Dr Hari Bandi. “ABCF’s model is a game-changer — for the first time, we have somewhere to refer patients for real support.” 

Investing in hospitals, keeping families home 

Through its Medical Equipment Initiative, ABCF is making long-term investments in Canberra’s hospitals — ensuring patients can access the best possible treatment closer to home. 

“Better treatment means better outcomes,” says Tegan Elferkh, ABCF Director and Public Officer. “And when families can stay in Canberra to receive it, it’s not just more convenient — it’s more compassionate.” 

These improvements are critical to Canberra’s future: by strengthening hospital infrastructure and supporting advanced clinical care, ABCF aims to attract and retain top medical talent. 

Cutting Edge Brain Cancer Research at ANU

At the heart of ABCF’s research vision is Professor Leonie Quinn and her team at ANU’s Brain Cancer Discovery Group — a world-leading force in personalised brain cancer treatment. 

Their breakthrough work uses mini brain organoids — 3D tumour models grown from patient cells — to study how brain cancers behave and how to treat them. 

“Our mission is to personalise treatment for every Canberra patient,” says Professor Quinn. “Every tumour studied brings us closer to targeted therapies.” 

This cutting-edge science is happening right here in Canberra — and it’s transforming what’s possible for local families. 

Preserving hope: The ACT Brain Cancer Biobank  

When seed funding from the ACT Health Innovation Fund ended in early 2025, the future of the ACT Brain Cancer Biobank — led by Professor Quinn — hung in the balance. 

ABCF stepped in with an emergency $37,500 donation, ensuring that no samples were lost and research momentum could continue. 

“Every sample is a story,” says Milena. “A contribution. A legacy. We owe it to families to protect that.” 

Now, ABCF is working to secure the Biobank’s long-term future by finding 50 Founding Partners — individuals, businesses, and philanthropists — to support everything from sample collection and long-term storage to genetic analysis, mini brin development, drug testing and the future of personalised treatment and clinical trials in the ACT. 

“We’re not just preserving tissue,” says Professor Quinn. “We’re preserving the potential for better treatment — for the next patient, and the next.” 

To find out more, visit australianbraincancerfoundation.com.au/bio-banking

Go Grey for May: Raising Vital Funds 

This May, ABCF is launching its biggest community fundraiser — aiming to raise $100,000+ to support care, hospital upgrades, and research. 

Unlike the separate Biobank campaign, which seeks 50 long-term partners, this drive is open to schools, businesses, and individuals — and will run throughout the year. 

There’s a way for everyone to get involved: 

• Host a Grey Dress-Up Day, morning tea, Golf Day 
• Organise a Coin Challenge or Trivia Night 
• Become a corporate partner 
• Or simply donate online at abcf.org.au  

Raise $5,000+ as a school or individual or $10,000+ as a business, and you’ll earn a VIP tour of ANU’s cutting-edge brain cancer research lab.    

Add QR CODE to create a campaign here 

“Every dollar matters,” says Milena. “It means care for Canberra families today — and real hope for cures developed right here in our city.” 

To find out more, visit australianbraincancerfoundation.com.au/take-action/go-grey-for-may

Everyday heroes, extraordinary impact 

This movement is already being led by inspirational kids with big hearts: 
– Marko Toumo’ua, a Year 6 student, raised $3,500 for ABCF and earned a private lab tour. 
– Zara, now 10, started a handmade earring business ZandM CO. at 8. She’s raised over $30,000 for brain cancer research at ANU.
 
“Zara and Marko remind us that leadership doesn’t have an age limit,” says Professor Quinn.

Join the movement 

ABCF is showing what’s possible when a community steps up with care, compassion, and commitment. Canberra isn’t waiting for solutions — it’s building them.

Now, ABCF is inviting you to be part of the movement:

• Donate, fundraise, share, and get involved.
• Visit abcf.org.au to join the cause.

Real change starts here — in our capital, for our people.