ABOUT BRIGHT BLUE

Bright Blue is a not-for-profit, public ancillary fund, established by WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan in March 2011. Our mission is to raise money and allocate 100% of donations towards purchasing specialised medical equipment for both research and direct treatment in helping sick kids throughout WA and beyond on an annual basis.

The formation of Bright Blue was initially inspired by two very special, very sick children of serving police officers and their brave fight against cancer. Upon visiting Princess Margaret Hospital’s Ward 3b, Commissioner O’Callaghan witnessed so many WA children whose lives were being challenged by cancer that he was motivated to somehow help outside of his role as Commissioner of Police.

Within days, Mr O’Callaghan and a contingent of police staff and supporters signed up to take leave and participate in a 3800km fundraising motorcycle ride across the country. Similarly, Rick Parish and the Adventurers had planned a climb of Mount Blanc to raise money for the same cause.

Collectively, the separate groups raised enough to purchase the only 3D Molecular Imaging Machine in the Southern Hemisphere to aid cancer research. The machine tests laboratory-grown tumours, enabling researchers to determine the best possible treatment for patients with mitigated risk.

The success of the motorcycle ride struck home what an extraordinary difference a group of committed individuals can make on behalf of sick kids and their families dealing with such an insidious and devastating disease.

Commissioner O’Callaghan’s actions have resulted in this unique charity, focused on raising funds under the “Bright Blue” banner (Police Commissioner’s fund for sick kids). Bright Blue has raised $500,000 over the past two years to help sick children in WA.

Bright Blue Cancer Analysis Suite

Bright Blue's Cancer Analysis Suite at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research will assist the Institute researchers to find ways to prevent and treat cancer in children.

Speeding up discoveries

A central suite for tissue processing, embedding and staining means all stages of the process will be performed at the Telethon Institute using current and proposed new instruments.

The new instruments, which will link with previously purchased equipment including Elliot's machine (donated by The Wall to Wall Riders and the Telethon Adventurers in 2010) and the 3D Confocal Microscope (donated by Bright Blue in 2011) will streamline the team's research capability, permitting the efficient and timely processing of tumour tissue.

Having a facility like this will not only benefit childhood cancer research but also greatly benefit other groups in the Telethon Institute whose members research additional aspects of child health including respiratory diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis, infectious diseases and drug discovery.
To meet the costs of the instruments and equipment Bright Blue has pledged to raise $500,000 to establish the Cancer Analysis Suite.

Click here to learn more about the Bright Blue Cancer Analysis Suite

Upcoming Events

Bright Blue Disco - 30 March 2012

Gibb River Ride - June 2012

(Click the event titles for more information)

Contact Us

Vic Hussey - Secretary, Bright Blue Foundation
WA Police
2 Adelaide Terrace
East Perth WA 6004
0401 950 729 or vic.hussey@police.wa.gov.au