One in five Australians over the age of 25 are likely to suffer a stroke.
The impact of stroke on patients, their families and support networks is significant. The direct cost of stroke is estimated at more than $6.2 billion nationally and the cost attributed to wellbeing and disability around $26 billion annually.
A collaboration between the Perron Institute and The University of Western Australia (UWA), and the generous support from the WA philanthropic community, has enabled a Chair in Stroke Research to be established as a significant step towards building a Stroke Research Centre in Western Australia.
In 2022, Professor Graeme Hankey was appointed Perron Institute Chair in Stroke Research at UWA. He has dedicated his life to stroke research as a neurologist and researcher and is one of the world’s leading stroke authorities.
“The Perron Institute’s Stroke Research Centre aims to build on previous success in the field achieved by Western Australian and Australian researchers,” said Professor Hankey.
“Developing infrastructure and innovative advances in the surveillance, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care of stroke is a key focus.
“The Perron Institute is delighted with the progress being made in an ongoing Phase 2 Clinical Trial of its novel neuroprotective therapy ARG-007 that is being conducted at ten acute stroke centres across Australia, led by Argenica Therapeutics.
“This new therapy aims to protect and preserve dying brain cells during acute stroke and allow more time for patients to access and benefit from medical interventions to dissolve or remove the blood clot in the brain which caused the stroke.
“Another key focus of the Perron Institute’s Stroke Research Centre is to attract, support and train emerging early and mid-career stroke researchers.
“Funds raised so far have enabled the exciting appointments of young neurologist and researcher Dr Jan Ho to advance imaging technology to help predict and prevent stroke, and Professor Erin Godecke to expand rehabilitation and recovery capability and co-lead the Stroke Research Centre. Dr Adam Edwards has also joined the Centre as Head of Discovery and Translational Science. The Centre now has a nucleus of diverse and leading stroke researchers.
“Future funding will be dedicated to progressing the vision of the WA-based Perron Institute Stroke Research Centre and enable employment and training opportunities for talented medical graduates, clinicians and researchers,” Professor Hankey said.
“Raising funds is critically important to sustain and build the capacity of the Stroke Research Centre. We are extremely grateful to Chris Shellabear and his daughters Annabel Wheeler, and Rebecca and Maddy Shellabear who initiated, and have championed, the campaign to support stroke research in honour of Sarah Shellabear, who tragically experienced a fatal stroke in 2019.”
An event to acknowledge the generosity of donors who have contributed to the Perron Institute Stroke Research Centre campaign is planned to be held in December at the North Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club.
For more information contact susie.jackson@perron.uwa.edu.au.
L-R Dr Adam Edwards, Dr Jan Ho, Prof Erin Godecke, Prof Graeme Hankey in the Perron Institute Clinic.