Bone marrow research is set to receive a major financial boost from the Victorian government in the upcoming state budget.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Jill Hennessy announced a $2.1 million grant to establish the world’s first research centre for bone marrow failure syndrome in Victoria.

Former footballer Nick Riewoldt, who created the Maddie’s Vision foundation in his sister’s name after she died from the disease in 2015, thanked the state government for funding the Centre for Research Excellence in Bone Marrow Biology in her honour.

“This announcement is that game changer,” he said.

Bone marrow failure syndrome, which occurs when a person’s bone marrow is unable to produce enough healthy blood, primarily affects people between the age of 17 and 40.

Around 160 young Australians are diagnosed with the syndrome every year, with more than half dying from the disease.

Hennessy said that the research centre will support Maddie’s Vision in finding new and better treatments for the condition.

“Maddie’s Vision gives hope to families across Victoria that one day we will find a cure for this awful disease,” she said in a press release.

“We’re proud to be supporting them in this lifesaving work.”