Ponting's winning hit to improve child health

The Pontings, through their Ponting Foundation, and the State Government, have each committed $250,000 over three years to help researchers investigate ways to improve the psychological outcomes of affected children and their families.

The research led by Murdoch Childrens, will involve children undergoing cancer treatment at The Royal Children's Hospital Children's Cancer Centre.

Ponting said the funding would aim to help some of the 600 children diagnosed with cancer in Australia each year.

"Having a child diagnosed with cancer has a devastating impact on families. Treatments for cancer are improving all the time - but what we also need to ensure we're doing the best we can to look after the psychological wellbeing of these children and their families, both during the cancer treatment and long term," Ponting said.

During treatment, children with cancer endure multiple challenges including pain, disconnection from peers and disruption to schooling. Whilst most survivors adapt well following treatment, a significant number will experience anxiety and adjustment issues, and some suffer from treatment-related cognitive and learning difficulties.

Researchers will follow children through their cancer journey to determine risk factors for psychological and neurobehavioural problems and develop interventions to improve long-term wellbeing.

Lead researcher Maria McCarthy said "with more than 80 per cent of children surviving their cancer, our goal is to ensure the best possible psychological and quality of life outcomes for these children and families."

"Our focus is to toward greater understanding of the family impact of childhood cancer, both in the short and the long-term, and to develop interventions to reduce distress for all family members. These children and families are part of our future and we want them to thrive despite the challenge of cancer in their lives" McCarthy said.