Celebrating 20 years of the Victorian Cancer Biobank

This week, that milestone was celebrated at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), with Victorian Minister for Health Harriet Shing visiting the hospital’s tissue bank alongside Cancer Council Victoria Chief Executive Todd Harper and biobank donor John.

Established through a partnership between Cancer Council Victoria and the RMH, Austin Health, Eastern Health, Monash Health and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Victorian Cancer Biobank collects and stores tissue and blood samples from consenting donors to support cancer research.

Since 2006, more than 40,000 Victorians have participated, helping researchers make discoveries that improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and care.

The 20th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the power of collaboration between hospitals, researchers, clinicians and the broader Victorian health system.

Through coordination across the health services, the biobank has grown into a statewide research resource with national and international impact.

The RMH’s Chief Executive Professor Shelley Dolan said the Victorian Cancer Biobank was a powerful example of what could be achieved when organisations work together towards a common goal.

“As one of the founding tissue bank sites, we are incredibly proud of the role the RMH has played in helping to build and support this statewide resource over the past two decades,” Prof Dolan said.

“While this milestone reflects the dedication of countless researchers, clinicians and staff over the past 20 years, it would not have been possible without the thousands of donors who have generously contributed tissue and data.”

One of those donors is John, who chose to donate his tumour tissue following a bowel cancer diagnosis in 2023.

Motivated by a belief in the importance of research and the role of data in driving medical progress, he saw donation as a meaningful way to help future generations benefit from continued advances in cancer care.

“I can look forward in confidence that my grandchildren won’t be terrified because of the research that has been done with samples in the biobank.”

As the Victorian Cancer Biobank enters its third decade, it continues to support world-class research and help translate scientific discoveries into better treatments, better care and better outcomes for people affected by cancer.