NEURO NEWS February 2026 | Research and Community Impact
Stroke & Brain Injury Research in Action
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Your support helps fund life-changing brain research. This summer, we’re sharing stories of resilience, ways to get involved, and opportunities to make a real difference for people living with brain injuries and neurological conditions.
View the full newsletter online | Donate to support NRF research
Every Minute Matters: Brain Injury Research in Action
When Tyler was 12, a car hit him while he was riding his bike in Whyalla. The accident shattered his legs and arm, and a blood clot in his brain caused a stroke down his right side. He was airlifted to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, placed in an induced coma, and underwent surgery where half his skull was removed to reduce swelling.
When Tyler woke, he couldn’t walk or talk. Intensive rehabilitation — including occupational, speech, hydro, and physiotherapy — helped him relearn basic skills. Today, he shares his story to inspire others and remind every child to wear a helmet.
“My neurosurgeon, Cindy Molloy, she’s a lifesaver. I didn’t think I’d ever walk again. But you’ve got to keep pushing past what you think your limits are.”
— Tyler, brain injury and stroke survivor
Stories like Tyler’s show why your support matters. In South Australia, the NRF funds research and innovation that improves treatment and recovery — from life-saving clot retrieval training to better paediatric stroke care, and studies on how brain injury changes over time.
Donate Here to Support Innovative TBI Research in South Australia
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Life After TBI: Tyler’s Story
At just 12 years old, Tyler’s life changed in an instant. He faced challenges no child should have to navigate — unable to walk or talk, he had to relearn everyday skills many of us take for granted. Through months of rehabilitation and sheer determination, Tyler slowly rebuilt his strength and independence.
Today, Tyler shares his experience to raise awareness about brain injury and recovery, and to remind young people of the importance of wearing a helmet. He also speaks with deep gratitude about the medical care that helped save his life and support his recovery.
Tyler’s journey is a powerful example of resilience and a reminder of why continued investment in neurosurgical research and care is so important.
Watch Tyler’s video interview and support brain research
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Can AI Improve TBI Treatment?
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life-changing or fatal, and fast, accurate interpretation of CT scans is critical. New research supported by the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can help clinicians assess brain scans more quickly and consistently.
Led by Associate Professor Mark Plummer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the project will use AI to analyse hundreds of real patient CT scans to improve how injury severity and outcomes are predicted.
By automating this process, the research aims to support better clinical decisions and strengthen future research in traumatic brain injury.
Advancing Stroke Care
Stroke can take away movement, speech, and independence in an instant and for children, the impact can be life-changing. During Childhood Stroke Awareness Week (2–8 March), we’re shining a light on the advances that are giving young patients and their families real hope.
In an exclusive interview, Neurosurgeon and Associate Professor Alistair Jukes explains how clot retrieval is transforming stroke treatment, with results that can sometimes be seen in just minutes. This minimally invasive procedure removes a blood clot directly from the brain, restoring blood flow and dramatically reducing long-term damage.
A/Prof Jukes is one of just four clinicians in South Australia trained to perform clot retrieval on both adults and children. Until recently, children experiencing a stroke often needed to be transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment. Thanks to the development of a South Australian paediatric stroke protocol, children are now diagnosed and treated entirely at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital — saving precious time when every minute counts.
These breakthroughs don’t happen by chance. Thanks to your support, the NRF has funded stroke research for many years — from neuroprotection studies to clinical trials. This work is helping doctors save lives and improve recovery outcomes for patients of all ages, including children affected by stroke.
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International Day of Childhood Cancer Awareness
Each year, hundreds of Australian children are diagnosed with cancer, with brain cancer among the most serious. Around 120 young Australians face a brain cancer diagnosis annually, and survival rates remain lower than for many other childhood cancers.
But research offers hope. While advances have improved outcomes for many cancers, childhood brain tumours remain especially challenging due to their complexity. The NRF funds critical paediatric research to better understand and treat these cancers.
On this International Day of Childhood Cancer Awareness, we honour the courage of affected children and families and reaffirm our commitment to research that improves outcomes for young patients.
How YOU Can Get Involved – Be Bold and Go Gold:
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Wear Gold: Show your support on or around Sunday, 15th February. Encourage your workplace, school, or community group to join in!
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Host a Morning Tea or Fundraising Activity: Bake sales, gold coin donations, or fun workplace challenges — every effort counts.
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Spread the Word: Use our #BeBoldGoGold and tag @neurosr_foundation.
Learn more and support paediatric brain cancer research
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City-Bay 2026 – Join Team Neuro
In 2025, the NRF Team Neuro community raised $45,000 for neurosurgical research at the City-Bay Fun Run, with over 80 participants running, walking, and fundraising.
Personal stories were at the heart of the day — from Catherine and Matt raising $16,000 in honour of Catherine’s late father, Olly, to teams commemorating loved ones, including Team SurfCon in memory of founder Mark Webber, and Team TonyTonyTony honouring Tony Walsh through the Anthony Walsh TBI Vacation Scholarship. It was a powerful celebration of connection, community, and purpose.
Now it’s your turn — join Team Neuro in 2026 to run, walk, or volunteer, and help make a real difference.
