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Welcome…..

Neuroblastoma almost exclusively strikes infants and children, and is the third most common type of Childhood Cancer after Leukaemia and brain tumours. It is also the leading single cause of cancer deaths of children under 5.

It is a complex cancer and can present in various ways and in different forms and as a result survival rates differ significantly . The outcome depends on the type and aggression, and the aggressive neuroblastoma is of course the most challenging to treat and has the lowest survival rates, around 40%.

Aggressive Neuroblastoma has sadly not seen a major change in the survival rate in the last ten years but there are some significant new treatments in the pipeline which are showing promise. In contrast the less aggressive forms have seen improvement to a level where research is now focusing on not only cure, but ways to lessen the impact treatment has on patients lives going forward.

This site has been inspired by little Sienna Hoffmann who tragically lost her battle against the disease in 2010, and following on from her love of life and determination to live it to the full, the site has been created by the family and friends of Sienna and other sufferers of the disease, along with the support and help from the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia. It aims to to :

• Raise the profile of this disease
• Raise funds for vital research for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia for their research programmes (fundraising undertaken by Sienna’s friends and families have raised over $150 000 and this covers the cost of one research scientist.
• Provide support and advice to parents and families who are or have been affected by neuroblastoma.

Below is a message from the founder of the charity which highlights how important research is and what might be possible if we just get enough funding to follow it.

“During our battle to save our daughter Sienna from one of the most aggressive forms of neuroblastoma we communicated with a number of leading Oncology professors in the world and it became clear  that there is significant scope to improve treatments and survival rates. We also learnt about a number of new research directions and new drugs and although we tragically ran out of time we are sure improvement is close.” Lucy Jones

Latest news…..

• Stars Combine to Fight Childhood Cancer – Jack Vidgen – 2011 winner of Australia’s got Talent – joined Channel Seven personalities Mark Beretta and Natalie Barr, together with Channel Nine personality Peter Overton to help raise $92,000 for Neuroblastoma research with the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia.

CLICK HERE to see the details of the night.

• Rozelle Balmain Family Fun Day raised $50,000 for the childrens cancer insitute of Australia. Thank you to all of those who contributed to a wonderful day.
• CCIA Diamond Ball at Hilton raises approx $500,000 for children’s cancer Institute of Australia.
• Government funding has been given to the CCIA to help take research breakthroughs to world-first trials. For more details click here.
• The CCIA’s Balmoral Swim has raised approx. $95,000 for childhood cancer.
• Sienna’s Frangipani Charity Gala Dinner 2011, raised approximately $96,000.

To view photo’s of the 2011 event, please click here

A message from the organisers of the Dinner

“Sienna Hoffmann and friends would like to thank everyone who helped with Sienna’s third Frangipani Gala Dinner which took place on Friday 17th February.

Not only did over 100 businesses help by donating wonderful prizes, we also were very grateful to a number of businesses who also sponsored the event including John Cunningham, St Hallet & Moet et Chandon

Over 330 people attended the event at Doltone House, Pyrmont in Sydney. We were thrilled to also have wonderful MCs, speakers and Musicians – all who very kindly donated their time

BIG THANKS to

• Mark Beretta and Natalie Barr from Sunrise for being our wonderful MCS
• Peter Overton who has so kindly supported us with all our fundraising efforts having met Sienna during a 60 Minute Documentary
• Prof Michelle Haber and Prof Murray Norris for doing a really engaging Q & A session and showing everyone your committment to finding a cure for all childrens’ cancers
• Jack Vidgen, winner of Australia’s Got Talent – who so kindly sang 4 songs for us and really got the party started.  What an amazing voice Jack has and he and his Mum Rachel have been fantastic in helping us raise the profile of Neuroblastoma
• Jessica O’Donoghue and band  – Jessica a wonderful professional musician plus her fellow musicians who all did a great job maintaining a wonderful atmosphere and
• Monica Oriel – from our local area – who sang a beautiful aria for us

BIG NEWS :

The total amount raised from the event so far is $92 000. This brings the SIENNA HOFFMANN APPEAL to $525 000 – this has only been possible due to the help of big hearted, generous and kind people – people who were prepared to go that extra mile to help save children from these terrible childhood cancers

People often think that one person can’t make a difference but every person who listens and hears our story, who spreads the word, who donates whatever they can afford – IS making a difference

Thank you all so much

Lucy Jones on behalf of Sienna Hoffmann and Friends”

For images and new stories of the 2012 event click here., the 2011 event click here.