About the foundation
The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation was created in June 2013 in memory of Rober ‘Connor’ Dawes. The organisation is focused on battling paediatric brain tumours and supporting brain matters in the areas of research care and development – to fund the science to end brain cancer and support patients in the meantime.
Connor’s Story
An attack on the brain is an attack on the core of who we are. This is why brain tumours are so devastating. Robert ‘Connor’ Dawes was the victim of one such attack. He was a dedicated student, rower and rugby player as well as a Green Bay Packers fan. Connor’s brilliant mind, strong body and gentle soul faced off against an ependymoma tumour. And like many others, his brains and brawn gave it all to fight against the poor odds but on April 20, 2013, Connor’s 16 month battle ended, he passed away at home with his mum, dad, brother and sister by his side. Connor was born in Wisconsin in 1994. A child of two countries, he spent most of his life living in Australia and loving America. Connor dreamed of attending a US college to study and row, until brain cancer robbed him of the chance. Latin’s not for everyone. But it was for Connor. A brilliant student, he thrived and loved the language. After his diagnosis, his Latin class coined the phrase Aeternum Fortis and it featured on bands and t-shirts his schoolmates sold to raise money for his treatment. Now, Aeternum Fortis is our eternal reminder of the amazing person he was.
Visit the RCD Foundation website here.
Work with the Centre
The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation is the sponsor of the Ependymoma Science meeting and works closely with us at the Centre in putting together this event. The EpCam meeting brings together a group of world leading brain tumour researchers to tackle the more prescient issues and discuss the biological challenges of ependymoma. Read more about the EpCam meeting here.
