What we do…
The Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation (CRBF) is committed to transforming the experience of those living with sarcoma and their families. We work collaboratively to improve patient care pathways, fund critical research to expand treatment options and survival outcomes, and provide tailored, compassionate support that acknowledges the unique journey of every individual. We are equally committed to raising awareness within the medical community and general public to encourage early diagnosis.
We achieve this through three key pillars:
- Funding vital, innovative clinical research to improve outcomes and treatment options for sarcoma patients.
- Providing practical and emotional support to patients and their families throughout treatment and beyond.
- Raising awareness to promote early detection and faster diagnoses among both health professionals and the wider community.
The Jack Gibson Sarcoma Patient & Family Support Programme (JGSP&FSP)
Our national support program is designed for individuals and families facing a sarcoma diagnosis. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—every journey is different, and so is our support. All assistance is confidential and tailored to meet the personal and practical needs of each patient.
Some examples of the assistance provided include;
- Peer support from those with lived experience
- Newly diagnosed patient kits distributed nationwide
- IVF-related out-of-pocket expenses
- Support accessing experimental therapies
- Grocery and petrol gift cards
- Assistance with medical gap payments
- Help covering incidental and treatment-related expenses
- Practical carer support and government agency navigation
- Provision of home meals
- Access to specialised medical equipment (e.g., beds, oxygen, mobility aids)
- The Fergus McCulla Psychological Support Programme (free for patients and families)
- Patient advocacy with medical teams and government bodies
- Funeral expense assistance in cases of financial hardship
The programme is led by a compassionate and skilled team:
Keith Cox OAM, a nationally recognised oncology nurse and mentor
Mitchell Rice-Brading, Patient Care Navigator/Provisionally registered clinical psychologist
Karen Atkins, Pastoral Care Coordinator
Merran Cunningham, Registered Psychologist
Dr Lahvinya Kulaendra, Psychiatrist
Nathan Salgo, Medical Student/Provisionally registered clinical psychologist
Louise Hird, Clinical Psychologist
Honouring Jack Gibson
As of December 2022, our support programme proudly bears the name of Jack Gibson, whose legacy continues to guide and inspire us.
Jack passed away on November 1, 2022, just days before his 26th birthday, after a five-year battle with osteosarcoma. During his treatment, Jack became a powerful advocate for change—helping shape the early framework of our national support programme. His lived experience gave us a profound understanding of the gaps in patient care and the critical importance of personal, practical support.
Despite immense personal hardship, Jack remained optimistic and hopeful. His resilience, warmth, and generosity of spirit left an indelible mark on our community. Under his guidance, the programme has grown to support more than 300 patients and families nationwide, funded solely by the generosity of the Australian public.
Jack worked closely with Keith Cox OAM and the CRBF Board to ensure no one facing sarcoma would ever feel alone.
His light continues to guide our mission—and the lives we aim to change
Meet the team
Mitchell Rice-Brading – Patient Care Navigator
Mitch is Cooper’s much loved older brother, and he formed a critical part of Cooper’s team of palliative carers. His first hand experience with regards to the specific needs of young sarcoma patients is vast, comprehensive and very personal.
At 23, Mitch completed an undergraduate science degree, majoring in psychology at the University of Sydney, followed by his Honours year completed in 2021 with a view to completing a Masters or PhD in Clinical Psychology. He is a provisionally registered Clinical Psychologist, and is employed as a senior consultant in social policy with national social policy Consultancy, ARTD.
Mitchell volunteers as a trained mentor with Feel the Magic, an organisation dedicated to providing early intervention grief education programs for kids aged 7 to 17, who are experiencing pain and isolation due to the death of a parent, guardian, or sibling.
Mitch also volunteers his time with CRBF, to assist young patients and their families with an array of practical matters they may experience throughout treatment, thus providing a solid platform in which to be heard.
Keith Cox – Medical Advisory Board/CRBF Director
Patient Support Medical Consultant
Keith was the Oncology/ Chemotherapy Nurse Practitioner at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse until the end of 2017, after some 38 years in cancer nursing. He now remains involved in a consultant role.
Keith is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sydney, and is an Accreditation Assessor for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
As a Nurse Practitioner, Keith bore a greater responsibility than a regular nurse, prescribing medicine, ordering tests and screenings, and the referral of patients to other medical professionals.
Keith was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2007 Queen’s Birthday honours list for his services to Cancer Nursing, his work with youth and his volunteer work.s
Tania Rice-Brading – Patient & Family Care Coordinator
Tania Rice- Brading will often be the first point of contact within CRBF. She is an experienced sarcoma patient carer with eight years of lived experience, both as carer for her youngest son Cooper, and through becoming the first line contact for hundreds of patients and family members.
Tania is passionate about her role within CRBF, having worked closely with the patient support team to identify the unmet needs that exist for those diagnosed with sarcoma in Australia
Karen Atkins – Pastoral Care Coordinator
When someone you love, or perhaps you, are given a Sarcoma diagnosis you are catapulted into what feels like a vast unknown. A pathway of treatments and uncertain outcomes lay before you and it can be overwhelming, isolating and cuts to the very core of our beings. Karen knows first-hand this landscape of fear and uncertainty after her youngest daughter was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at aged 15 in 2017.
Karen has walked alongside others, in a variety of professional capacities, for more than 20 years, in what she describes as Compassionate Companioning. The deep awareness and insights gained from personal experience of the impact a Sarcoma diagnosis has on the entire family, influenced a shift in passion and career focus. Karen now devotes her time to walking alongside families and patients, as a spiritual care practitioner, working in paediatric and adult hospice care.
Karen volunteers her time with CRBF, providing companionship to families, through the sarcoma journey, and when needed, through grief and bereavement.