May 10, 2018  Print

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research is turning 21! To celebrate 21 years of medical research breakthroughs, the Institute is hosting a 21st Birthday Gala Dinner.

Special guest, former Australian of the Year and Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty will attend the event.

Other VIPs who will attend the event include: the Hon Craig Laundy MP, Member for Reid; NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research, the Hon Brad Hazzard MP; and Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Andrew Wilson.

Professor Tony Cunningham, Executive Director of the Westmead Institute said the event is a celebration of the Institute’s proud history and achievements.

Then Prime Minister John Howard with Associate Professor Tony Cunningham at the opening of the first 'Westmead Millennium Institute' building (2000)

“Over the past 21 years our researchers have made significant breakthroughs in some of the biggest health issues facing our society, including breast and ovarian cancer, melanoma, leukaemia, diabetes, HIV and other infectious diseases, multiple sclerosis, kidney and liver diseases, heart and respiratory diseases, and mental health.

“The black-tie event will be a celebration of our history and achievements, as we look towards a bright future for the Institute. It will be a special evening of music, dancing and fun, ensuring we mark this important milestone in a memorable way,” Professor Cunningham said. 

Professor Cunningham is proud of the Institute’s strong partnerships in the local community. 

“Every day our researchers strive to turn our scientific discoveries into better medical care for patients, changing the future of health for people in Western Sydney and beyond.

“Many of our researchers are clinicians at Westmead Hospital. This crucial relationship between our Institute and the hospital allows us to understand patient needs and the health issues that affect our community. 

“Our strong ties to Western Sydney are important to us, so we are proud to announce that the 21st Birthday Gala dinner

Then Prime Minister Tony Abbott presenting at the opening of the Institute's new building (2014)

will take place at the Georgian Grand Ballroom, Oatlands House. 

“The event will bring together more than 400 guests, including community members, business leaders, politicians,  patients of the Westmead Hospital, and our researchers,” Professor Cunningham said. 

The gala event is an important opportunity to raise money to support the ongoing work of the Institute.  

All funds raised will go towards purchasing new genomics equipment, which will help researchers across a range of disciplines – including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease – to understand how our genes and DNA affect disease.

Genomics can help predict who is at risk of developing a disease, diagnose diseases faster and more accurately, and lead to personalised medicine, where treatments are tailored to individual patients to achieve the best possible result. 


Event details
Join us for a sparkling night of music, dancing, fun and fundraising – celebrating our history and medical research achievements.

What:    Westmead Institute for Medical Research 21st Birthday Gala Dinner
Date:     Saturday 26 May 2018
Time:     7:00pm
Place:     Georgian Grand Ballroom, Oatlands House, Oatlands
Dress:    Black Tie

VIPs

  • Former Australian of the Year and Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty
  • The Hon Craig Laundy MP, Federal Member for Reid
  • The Hon Brad Hazzard MP, NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research
  • Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Andrew Wilson
  • Danny O'Connor, Chair and Chief Executive of the WSLHD


Tickets: https://www.westmeadinstituteevent.org.au/