Support Medical Research Giving Day
Donate today to back the people behind the breakthroughs.
Join Australia's first Medical Research Giving Day on Wednesday 9 September 2026. More than 30 medical research institutes across Australia are coming together for a national day of giving to fund the breakthroughs that improve and save lives.
At Burnet, your medical research donation backs the people behind those breakthroughs.
Researchers like Dr Lilian Hor and Stacey Butcher are turning new ideas into practical solutions that improve health.
From rapid diagnostic tests that help people access treatment sooner to First Nations-led research that supports healthier mums and babies, they're working to create a healthier, more equitable world.
Every breakthrough starts with a person. A researcher with a bold idea. A donor who believes in what's possible.
Your gift today will help Burnet researchers behind the discoveries go further, faster.
Better diagnostic testing. Earlier treatment. Better health
We believe life-saving healthcare should be within everyone's reach – no matter who you are or where you live.
That's why Burnet researchers are developing practical diagnostic tests that help people receive answers sooner.
Watch: Dr Lilian Hor on making liver disease and IBD testing faster and easier
Dr Lilian Hor:
So here at Burnet, we make low-cost diagnostic tests and this allows us to reach many more people. We have developed a point-of-care diagnostic test to diagnose liver disease and this will help people get a diagnosis faster and easier.
So it can be done with just a finger prick so you have a result in 20 minutes and it can also be done potentially in the comfort of your own home.
So we also have tests for inflammatory bowel disease in development. At the moment people will usually it takes a long time. That's one problem and the second problem is that you either need an endoscopy or colonoscopy which is quite invasive and there are long wait periods to get that done.
So for a long time I worked in basic research which is a long way from actually making a difference to people and so here at the Burnet I'm working on actual tests that have been used on real people and this will allow us to make a real difference in people's lives.
Like I generally think that medical research is really really important and has led to some amazing breakthroughs that have helped so many Australians. And that's why we believe it's really really important that people if they can can support Australia's first Medical Research Giving Day.
Senior Research Scientist Dr Lilian Hor is helping develop affordable tests that can be used at home, in community settings or at the point of care. These tests are designed to deliver reliable results without complex laboratory equipment.
The team is developing several life-saving tests, including:
- a less invasive gut health test that could help diagnose inflammatory bowel disease more quickly
- a rapid liver test that could detect liver injury earlier.
Earlier diagnosis means people can start treatment sooner, reducing uncertainty and improving health outcomes.
By removing barriers such as cost, distance and access to laboratory testing, Burnet's diagnostic research has the potential to improve lives in Australia and around the world.
Back the people behind the breakthroughs. Donate today.
Supporting First Nations-led research for better health
Everyone should have access to healthcare that is culturally safe and meets the needs of their community.
Burnet Research Fellow, PhD candidate and proud Dunghutti/Dhanggati woman Stacey Butcher is helping improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, babies and families.
As a midwife, Stacey has seen many First Nations women forced to leave Country to give birth without the language, family and cultural support they needed.
Today, with Burnet's support, she's helping build a stronger First Nations midwifery workforce and developing pathways for Indigenous knowledge to lead healthcare.
Research shows that First Nations women who have First Nations midwives experience better health outcomes for themselves and their babies. Yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up only around 1% of Australia's health workforce. Burnet is committed to changing that.
Help improve health outcomes for Aboriginal women and their babies. Donate today.