The Peter Nelson Leukaemia Research Fellowship Fund was founded in 1977 after the former Olympian died.

After 33 years of running the fund, Jackson-Nelson says that it is time for her to move on and let a bigger organisation take it over.

“I’m very proud of this fund. We have raised $6 million and put nine researchers through various hospitals and the Hansen Centre for Cancer Research.”

Meanwhile, construction has started on a $27 million cancer facility at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide.

The facility is to incorporate the LiveStrong Cancer Research Centre, named after cyclist Lance Armstrong’s foundation, which will host more than 100 leading cancer researchers.

The centre is due to open in late 2011.