Institute for Respiratory Health

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/