News

February 2012

SYDNEY: A group of Australia’s leading cancer charities today called for a national cancer research plan to better coordinate investment in cancer research.

The Cancer Research Leadership Forum (CRLF) released a white paper, ‘Towards a National Cancer Research Plan’, on the eve of World Cancer Day (4 February).

The paper calls for the development of an all-encompassing national cancer research plan to coordinate investment in research and accelerate progress in cancer control.

Supported by Macquarie Group Foundation, the Cancer Research Leadership Forum is a voluntary coalition of major Australian charities, including Cancer Council Australia, formed in 2009 to fund cancer researchers and research projects, drive efficiencies across the sector and explore collaboration.

In 2011, almost $300 million was awarded to Australian cancer research projects by a range of funders from the public, private and community sectors.

Cancer Council CEO, Professor Ian Olver, said the plan was needed to reduce inefficiencies and gaps in the funding of cancer research.

“A research framework will provide a useful resource to help organisations set priorities for research funding,” Professor Olver said. “It is great to work with other cancer organisations towards a common goal.”

December 2011

The Department of Health and Aging is calling for submissions for a new funding round in 2011. 

Grant categories include the ‘Chronic Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Fund’, which provides funding for activities supporting targeted action, particularly within the primary care and community sectors.

Eligible activities are those which aim to: reduce the incidence of preventable mortality and morbidity; maximise the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals affected by chronic disease from initial diagnosis to end of life; reduce the pressure on the health and hospital system including aged care; and/or support evidence-based best practice in the prevention, detection, treatment and management of chronic disease.

Funding will be available for periods of up to three years, commencing July 2012.

For more information visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/grantDoHA1121112

A range of other grant categories are available as part of the funding round, including:

• Better Access to Radiation Oncology Program - Innovative Workforce Activities
• Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants Fund
• Chronic Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Fund
• Communicable Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund
• Health System Capacity Development Fund

The deadline for grant submissions is Friday 23 December.  For more information, visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Listing+of+Tenders+and+Grants-1

Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme

The 2012 round of the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) is also calling for applications for cancer research funding in December 2011.

The PdCCRS is an annual national research project grants scheme that funds cancer research in identified priority areas to help reduce the impact of cancer in the community and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. 

Cancer Council Australia has partnered with the government agency, Cancer Australia, in the 2012 round of the scheme.  Applications open in early December.

Further information about the grants scheme can be found on the Cancer Australia website http://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/research-and-funding/priority-driven-research/2011-round-priority-driven-collaborative-cancer-research-scheme 

October 2011

Carers Australia is inviting all Australians to be part of Carers Week 2011.

The annual celebration of carers in Australia will run from Sunday 16 October through to Saturday the 22^nd.

The event aims to raise awareness of carers, their role and relationships, and carer supports and services.

To celebrate the event there will be morning teas, various launches, exhibitions, seminars and media talkback.

Carers Australia collaborates with the Carers Associations in each state and territory to represent the interests of carers and to deliver supports and services for carers in Australia.

Their vision is for caring to be accepted as a shared community responsibility and their mission is leading change and action for carers.

For further information go to carersaustralia.com.au/carersweek

September 2011

Australians are being urged to include their favourite charity in their will in the lead up to Include a Charity Week, 12-18 September.

The call has come from a consortium of more than 130 Australian charities with the launch of a new campaign to raise awareness and educate the public into leaving a gift in their Will.

While three out of four Australians support charities in their lifetime, only 7.5% of Australians leave a charitable gift in their will. The aim of Include a Charity Week is to increase this figure to 12% which would make an additional $440 million available for charities every year.

Cancer Council Australia’s Director of Marketing & Corporate Relationships, Warwick Rounce said charities relied on gifts in wills to deliver vital services and research. Without bequests in wills, many charities would be far less effective.

“Charitable gifts provide vital income needed for many charities to continue their important work and when you choose to leave a gift in your will, it benefits the whole community.” Mr Rounce said.

Cancer Council Australia will join other charities supporting Include a Charity Week in a ‘digital shout’ at midday on Tuesday 13 September to spread the word through social media networks. A TV advertisement will run during the course of the week, using humour to tackle the traditionally taboo subjects of bequests and wills.

To leave a bequest or for more information visit www.includeacharity.com.au

August 2011

Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge has been bathed in yellow as part of Daffodil Day’s 25th anniversary.

The bridge’s city-facing southern pylon has been illuminated yellow until midnight on Thursday 25 August, leading up to Daffodil Day on Friday.

 

Regions across NSW will be painting the iconic buildings yellow and joining in the 25th anniversary festivities. From the far north of the state to the Southern Regions, popular tourist attractions will take on a special shine. The Cape Byron Lighthouse, the Newcastle Town Hall clock face and the Breakwater Lighthouse in Wollongong will all be shining yellow.

Victorian landmarks are also turning yellow for the cause. Federation Square will project a yellow daffodil and the Daffodil Day logo, AAIMI Park will light up in yellow, as will the Crown Casino lobby.

Communities across Australia have been working hard to ensure that this year’s celebrations are bigger than ever. More than 10,000 volunteers are expected to staff over 1200 Daffodil Day sites nationally, including train stations, street stalls and shopping centres. Schools and workplaces are also joining in the festivities.

In 25 years Daffodil Day has raised over $100m for vital cancer research, prevention and support services. This year Cancer Council aims to raise $9.5 million. For more information visit daffodilday.com.au

August 2011

‘Life, Hope and Reality: for people living with advanced cancer’ is a new online resource that provides information for people with advanced cancer, their families, caregivers and friends.

The website – a product of many years of research into the supportive care and informational needs of people diagnosed with advanced cancer was funded by an NHMRC and Cancer Council NSW research grant.

Written by Afaf Girgis, Claire Johnson, and Sylvie Lambert, this up to date source features key information from researchers, palliative care workers, psychologists, oncologists, surgeons and social workers from institutions across the country.

Launched during National Palliative Care Week the website aims to break the silence that surrounds palliative care and end of life planning and provide people with the knowledge and resources needed to make health and treatment related decisions that are right for them.

To read more on advanced cancer care visit “Life, Hope and Reality”

August 2011

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men.* More than 19,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in Australia.

This is why brothers Peter and Phillip Jenkins, who have a family history of prostate cancer, wanted to do something ‘Over the Top’ to raise funds and awareness.

The ‘Over the top’ adventure begins in Sydney, with the boys travelling 9500 kilometres on an 8.6 metre inflatable boat all the way to Perth.

The ‘rubber ducky’ will travel to the northern most tips of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia, stopping at over 30 landmarks along the way to educate the public on prostate cancer and to help raise much needed funds.

The Jenkins aim to raise $200,000 for Cancer Council Australia to aid in the research of effective prostate cancer detection and treatment.

To support the Jenkins’ prostate cancer crusade, visit overthetop.com.au, where you can follow their journey via GPS live tracking.

Cancer Council Australia recommends that anyone with a family history of prostate cancer or who is concerned about prostate cancer, discuss it with their GP.

For more information check out our fact sheet on prostate cancer.

*excluding non-melanoma skin cancer

August 2011

Friday the 16th of September marks the 13th annual Walk to Work Day. The event aims to get businesses moving and encourages employers and employees alike to get active by simply walking to work.

For the first time Walk to Work Day will be actively raising funds for Cancer Council Australia. Registration is free and by registering as a Walking Workplace, organisations of all sizes will receive free information, support and ideas on how they can make walking work, in their workplace.

Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.  At least one third of cancers can be prevented through living a healthy lifestyle, which includes good nutrition and regular exercise.
Physical inactivity is estimated to be responsible for 14% of colon cancer and 11% of post-menopausal breast cancers.

By adding something as simple as walking to work into your daily routine, you can reduce your risk of developing cancer, as well as improve cardiovascular fitness, maintain bone mineral density and reduce stress.

To register visit walktowork

March 2011

Cancer Council Australia has joined with six other leading cancer charities to form an alliance called the Cancer Research Leadership Forum.

Along with Cancer Council Australia the venture, to plan and co-fund national research projects, includes Bowel Cancer Australia, Cure Cancer Australia, Leukaemia Foundation, Melanoma Institute, National Breast Cancer Foundation and Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia. The Forum will be supported with funding from Macquarie Foundation to develop a national cancer research plan and co-fund research.

According to Cancer Council Australia’s CEO, Professor Ian Olver, by working together the charities will have a stronger voice, better efficiencies and wider influence.

“By joining forces, we will be able to plan more effectively and pool elements of our research funding, infrastructure and expertise to support significant national projects,” Professor Olver said. “Our goal is the same - to reduce the cancer burden, and this new alliance is an opportunity to further our national research priorities.”
 

November 2010

Cancer Council Australia welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans, to establish a national review into the management of asbestos.

According to the Minister, the review will assess current activities in the area of asbestos management and research and make recommendations for the development of a national strategic plan to improve asbestos awareness, management and removal.

An expert advisory group has been established, with representation across construction and engineering, unions, asbestos-related disease and law.

The announcement follows a joint call by Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Cancer Council Australia in June to make Australia asbestos-free by 2030. .

Cancer Council Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ian Olver, said Australia had the highest per capita incidence of mesothelioma in the world and that it was estimated up to 18,000 Australians were likely to die from the disease by 2020.

“It can take 20 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear, so we welcome this move which will help reduce Australians’ exposure to asbestos,” Professor Olver said.

“The risk of exposure to asbestos fibres is a serious public health problem, so it is critical that governments, employers, employee organisations and the wider community work together to create an asbestos-free Australia.

“The government review announced today, with its multi-sector representation and remit to develop a national strategic plan, is an important step in the right direction.”