Institute for Respiratory Health

1 in 20 Australians over 45 have COPD.

Researchers in Perth are now recruiting participants for a clinical trial exploring new treatment options.

Individuals may be eligible if they:
• Are aged 40+ living with COPD
• Have experienced recent changes or worsening in breathing
• Are interested in access to expert clinical care

See if you may be eligible.
https://www.respclinicaltrials.org.au/register-for-a-clinical-trial/

Dr Alistair Cook, a researcher at the Institute, is working on medical research that could help change the future for people diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, often caused by exposure to asbestos. For many people, there are limited treatment options, and the disease can progress quickly.

Dr Cook is working on a promising new treatment approach that combines radiotherapy with immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy helps the body’s own immune system find and fight cancer. Radiotherapy may help make that treatment work better.

This research is important because it could lead to better treatment options for people with mesothelioma and help save lives.

But medical research like this needs your support.

Donate before 30 June and your gift will be doubled, helping give back more time to families facing mesothelioma.

https://fundraising.resphealth.org.au/tax-appeal-26

The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases

When Mackenzie lost her mum to mesothelioma in 2023, she was 20 years old.

She went on to study biomedical science, completed Honours in mesothelioma research, and now works in Dr Alistair Cook's team at The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, part of the Institute for Respiratory Health.

"Working in this area gives me a way to keep doing something and still make a difference," she says.

Mackenzie is the face of our current EOFY tax appeal. Donations made before 30 June are doubled thanks to Aerodrome Management Services matched-giving offer.

Read her story: https://www.resphealth.org.au/2026/06/mackenzie-lighton-mesothelioma-research-story/

May was a big month for lung health in Western Australia.

Over 30 landmarks lit up blue, our team ran a lung health stall at Perth Children's Hospital, thanks to The Cafe Collective, and Lucy Lungs made her debut as our newest mascot. More than 100 people came along for a free lung health check at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, with nurses running spirometry tests on the day.

Team Breathe crossed the finish line at the HBF Run for a Reason on 24 May, raising over $17,000 to support research at the Institute. The funds will go toward a specialised freezer for the Clinical Trials Unit to protect valuable patient samples.

Thank you to everyone who showed up for their lungs this May.

Read the full wrap-up: https://www.resphealth.org.au/2026/06/lung-health-awareness-month-2026-a-month-to-remember/

📷Rift Photography

Food Hall PCH

“I never planned to go into research, but everything changed when I lost my mum to mesothelioma.” Mackenzie Lighton, researcher at the Institute.

Mackenzie’s mum, Debra, was brave, funny and full of love. She could find beauty and joy in almost anything and had a cracking sense of humour. Even when she was in pain, she still tried to make people laugh.

She did not live in fear. She encouraged Mackenzie and her sister to live boldly and to go after what mattered to them.

What Mackenzie misses most is her mum’s love. Her smile. Her warmth. The way she backed Mackenzie in whatever path she chose.

When Debra was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Mackenzie wanted more time with her. More treatment options. More hope.

After Debra passed away, Mackenzie could not shake the feeling that she needed to do something.

Research gave her a way to turn grief into something meaningful.

Today, Mackenzie works alongside Dr Alistair Cook at the Institute on mesothelioma research that could help change what families face after a diagnosis.

For Mackenzie, this work is a way to honour her mum and help other families facing mesothelioma.

If you would like to support this research, please donate before 30 June. Your gift will be doubled and help give back more time to families facing mesothelioma.

https://fundraising.resphealth.org.au/tax-appeal-26

📸 – Mackenzie with her mum Debra.

The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases Aerodrome Management Services

Researchers at The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases are working on a new approach to cancer treatment that could change the way we think about personalised medicine.

Dr Francois Rwandamuriye is developing mRNA cancer vaccines that train the immune system to recognise the unique mutations in each patient's tumour. His current focus is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, where treatment options remain limited.

"What excites me most about the mRNA vaccine approach is its flexibility and precision. mRNA vaccines can be rapidly designed to target the unique features of a patient's tumour, making personalised cancer treatment more achievable."

The success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated interest in applying this technology to cancer, and Dr Rwandamuriye's work is at the forefront of that effort here in Western Australia.

UWA Research

WE DID IT!

A huge thank you to everyone who walked, ran, donated and supported Team Breathe at this year’s HBF Run for a Reason.

It was an incredible day and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped raise awareness and support respiratory research and clinical trials at the Institute for Respiratory Health.

There’s still time to support Team Breathe:
https://runforareason26.grassrootz.com/institute-for-respiratory-health