Partnership to support young people with cancer
21 November 2025
Young people with cancer will have ongoing access to a first of its kind program thanks to a new partnership between My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, Peter Mac Cancer Foundation, and the Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service at Peter Mac.
The My Room Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Fellowship Program will fund an Oncology Fellow position to help care for the rising number of cancer patients aged between 15 and 25 years.
Associate Professor Jeremy Lewin, Medical Director of the Victorian AYA Cancer Service, said adolescents and young people with cancer face a complex set of health challenges.
“Historically, patients in the 15 – 25-year age bracket have seen smaller gains in survival and continue to have poorer outcomes than both younger children and older adults,” Associate Professor Lewin said.
“Certain types of cancer are more prevalent among these patients including lymphomas, sarcomas, germ cell tumours and brain cancers but diagnosis and treatment can also be more complicated leading to poorer outcomes for many.
“The partnership between My Room and the Victorian AYA Cancer Service at Peter Mac will provide funding for the next five years to establish an AYA Oncology Training Program.”
“The Program will train the next generation of doctors in adolescent-focused oncology, ensuring they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and expertise to deliver comprehensive, developmentally appropriate treatment and support tailored to this population,” he said.
The first two Fellows have been appointed as part of the innovative new Program – Dr Kristene Rimbaldo and Dr Andrea Zhu.
“The Fellowship is the first and only accredited position of its kind in Australia with a dedicated focus on advancing specialised, age-appropriate cancer care for adolescents and young adults,” Associate Professor Lewin said.
“Both Kristene and Andrea are in their final year of Paediatric Oncology training after completing two years at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“They will each spend six months caring for young people with cancer at Peter Mac and working with the interdisciplinary team in the Victorian AYA Cancer Service to build their skillset and understanding of the impact cancer has in adolescent and young adults.
Craig Connelly, CEO of Peter Mac Foundation, added that the partnership reflects the strength of the relationship between the organisation and My Room. One that’s built on a shared commitment to improving outcomes for young people facing cancer.
“Our organisations are united by a simple purpose; to make sure every young person has access to the very best care, research and support,” he said.
“At the Foundation, our role is to empower our incredible researchers and clinicians at Peter Mac by ensuring they have the resources they need to push boundaries and deliver world-leading cancer care.
This partnership with My Room is a powerful example of what can be achieved when passionate supporters, dedicated clinicians, and a committed philanthropic community work in collaboration. Together, we are helping to give adolescents and young adults with cancer every possible chance,” Craig said.
Margaret Zita OAM, CEO of My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, said “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Peter Mac on this first-of-its-kind programme, helping close the gap in care and outcomes for young people with cancer.
The My Room Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Fellowship represents an important investment in the next generation of oncologists – training doctors who not only treat the disease, but understand the unique physical, emotional, and social challenges these young people face.
Our commitment is to fund initiatives that make a tangible difference to patients and families – from the bedside to the broader research community – and this partnership is a powerful example of that.”
The new My Room Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Fellows will commence in February 2026.