NetApp and Children’s Cancer Institute Unite for CEO Dare to Cure to Fight Childhood Cancer

Sydney, Australia - 24 October 2024 - NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company, is proud to announce its partnership with Children's Cancer Institute as the Presenting Partner of the CEO Dare to Cure Challenge, a major fundraising event supporting critical research into childhood cancer. As a trusted technology partner, NetApp provides the data infrastructure needed to store, manage, and analyse the large volumes of research data generated by the Institute's cutting-edge cancer studies.

For over six years, the Children's Cancer Institute has worked closely with NetApp's data infrastructure solutions to securely manage over 1 terabyte of research data per patient. The partnership enables CCI to accelerate vital discoveries that contribute to new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for childhood cancer.

The CEO Dare to Cure Challenge is an annual event, held in October, with business leaders across Australia being called to face their fears and get uncomfortable to help find a cure for childhood cancer. This year's fundraising goal is $1.8 million to fund research that will transform the lives of children affected by cancer. As part of this effort, NetApp's Area Vice President and Managing Director for Australia, Mark Fioretto, will participate in an Ice Bath Challenge, showcasing his personal commitment to supporting the cause.

"As a company, NetApp is committed to making a tangible difference in the fight against childhood cancer. Our partnership with Children's Cancer Institute exemplifies our dedication to using data and technology for the greater good," said Mark Fioretto, Area Vice President and Managing Director of NetApp in Australia and New Zealand. "This Friday, I'll be pushing my limits with an Ice Bath Challenge as part of the CEO Dare to Cure initiative, but it's nothing compared to the challenges these young patients face every day. Together, we're working towards a future where childhood cancer no longer exists."

Anne Johnston, Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Children's Cancer Institute, added: "We are the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to curing childhood cancer. Last year, more than 300 CEOs attended CEO Dare to Cure to raise $1.7 million for childhood cancer research, funding the equivalent of 11 senior researchers working in our labs."

"Partnering with NetApp helps us better manage and analyse the vast amount of data generated through our research, facilitating collaborations and accelerating discoveries. This partnership brings us one step closer to finding a cure for childhood cancer. As we say—'It's not if. It's when.'"

NetApp's involvement in the CEO Dare to Cure Challenge underscores the company's commitment to making a meaningful impact not just through its advanced technology, but through active engagement with the communities it serves.

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About Children's Cancer Institute

Originally founded by two fathers of children with cancer in 1976, Children's Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to research into the causes, prevention and cure of childhood cancer. More than 40 years on, our vision remains to save the lives of all children with cancer and improve their long-term health, through research. The Institute has grown to now employ over 350 researchers, operational staff and students, and has established a national and international reputation for scientific excellence. Our focus is on translational research, and we have an integrated team of laboratory researchers and clinician scientists who work together in partnership to discover new treatments which can be progressed from the lab bench to the beds of children on wards in hospitals as quickly as possible. By developing safer and more effective drugs and drug combinations, we aim to minimise side effects, giving children with cancer the best chance of cure with the highest possible quality of life. More at ccia.org.au

About NetApp 

NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data services, and CloudOps solutions to turn a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry's best data management. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in the world's biggest clouds, our data storage delivers seamless flexibility. In addition, our data services create a data advantage through superior cyber resilience, governance, and application agility. Our CloudOps solutions provide continuous optimisation of performance and efficiency through observability and AI. No matter the data type, workload, or environment, with NetApp you can transform your data infrastructure to realise your business possibilities. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contacts:  
Angela Coombes
Communications Manager
+61 417 805 441 
Angela.Coombes@netapp.com

Olivia Hammond
Senior Consultant 
Espresso Communications
+61 423 177 005
netapp@espressocomms.com.au