The generosity of donations made through Sutherland Shire Relay for Life (May 5-6) will go towards a variety of programs and services, to encourage people to lead healthy lifestyles.
Each year, an estimated 134,000 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
The effect on families, carers and communities is significant, but fundraising forms a crucial part of making a positive difference not only in the region, but nationwide.
Funds raised from Sutherland Shire Relay For Life will help Cancer Council’s ongoing mission.
The Cancer Council invests about $15 million every year to conduct and fund research.
As an evidence-based organisation, its research improves the collective knowledge about cancer and helps it prioritise the areas where they can have the greatest effect.
Situated in treatment centres, Cancer Council information services also help guide cancer patients and their carers to reputable sources of information and refer them to relevant support services.
There is an information service at St George Hospital and a new service will be opening at Southside Cancer Care, Miranda, in May 2018.
Similarly, Cancer Council supports cancer survivors through ENRICHing Survivorship, which is a free eight-week program that provides information on how to lead a healthy lifestyle after cancer. Cancer Council is running the program at Kogarah.
In addition, the Eat It To Beat It program gives families easy, budget-friendly ideas and information about how to pack more fruit and vegetables in their children’s lunchboxes to reduce cancer risk.
In 2016/17, Cancer Council delivered 31 Eat It To Beat It sessions to parents at primary schools in St George and Sutherland Shire.
Funds will also boost the Improve Your Long Game initiative, which helps to reduce cancer cases by targeting men aged older than 40 in selected golf clubs across NSW.
During the 2017/18 summer, it ran at golf clubs in Kareela, Barden Ridge, Bexley and Beverley Park to improve sun protection behaviours of golfers by providing sunscreen, signage and information resources.
Alongside this, Cancer Council runs a cancer prevention program called Healthy Sports Initiative at Illawong Menai Junior Cricket Club.
This initiative helps support the junior cricket club to create a healthy cancer-smart environment for members and their families.
