Statement from Lung Foundation Australia

Dear Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group Members and Stakeholders, 

I am writing on behalf of the Lung Foundation Australia Board to advise on the governance and future operations of the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG). 

Today, 10 July 2020, A/Prof Pavlakis and the Management Advisory Committee resigned and advised their intent to continue as a new lung and other thoracic cancer trials group – Thoracic Oncology Group Australasia (TOGA). Lung Foundation Australia has reluctantly accepted the resignations and we thank each of them for their tremendous service. 

Throughout the last 12 months the Board and our Executive have remained committed to working with the ALTG Executive to advance the lung cancer research agenda in Australia and the vision of ALTG in particular. After 15 years of successful collaboration and outstanding work we are concerned, especially in the context of the challenges and flow-on effects to research investment from COVID 19, that the separation of ALTG and Lung Foundation Australia is not in the best interests of lung cancer research. We thank the ALTG for the assurance that TOGA will continue to support Lung Foundation Australia in its lung cancer patient advocacy and support programs.  

We have written to organisational partners, funding bodies, and government stakeholders outlining the Board’s position and, in the weeks ahead, we continue to consult with these groups on the future of the ALTG. 

If you would like further information, please contact Mr Mark Brooke, Lung Foundation Australia CEO on 0417 076 090.