The Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia (TOGA) is proud to release the 2024 Annual Report, detailing a year of significant progress and expansion as the organisation enters its fifth year. The report highlights substantial growth in membership, engagement, and research funding, reinforcing TOGA’s unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by thoracic cancers across the region.
The past year marked a period of considerable strength for TOGA, with membership surging by 26% to reach 508 members, up from 402 at the close of the previous financial year. This growth reflects the increasing value members find in TOGA’s programs and collaborative network.
Engagement across TOGA’s initiatives saw impressive gains. The flagship Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) experienced a 41% increase in attendance compared to 2023, bringing together more experts and researchers than ever before. Educational outreach also expanded significantly, evidenced by a surge in podcast listenership, allowing vital information and discussions to reach a broader audience.
Communication effectiveness was another key success, with membership newsletters achieving an average open rate of 65%, indicating high relevance and quality content. Donor engagement also excelled, with donor newsletters seeing a 51% open rate – more than double the industry average of 21.3%.
Underpinning this research success is the rigorous work of the TOGA Scientific Committee, led by Prof Thomas John. In 2024, through four committee meetings and seven Working Group meetings, the committee conducted thorough consumer and peer reviews, overseeing TOGA’s research portfolio. Sixteen research concepts were reviewed during the year, with eleven receiving endorsement to advance for further development and potential funding applications.
Critically, support for TOGA’s mission translated into tangible financial gains for research. The average donation amount increased by a remarkable 94%. The report specifically credits campaigns and events driven by dedicated members living with lung cancer for significantly bolstering these fundraising efforts. This generosity directly fuels high-impact research, demonstrated by the fact that 77% of grant applications submitted through TOGA were successfully funded.
TOGA continues its focus on fostering high-quality research, providing valuable education, and advocating for better patient outcomes in lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies.
The full TOGA Annual Report is now available for review below:
