We can act together or alone, but we need to fight cancer
THE
Australian calendar is full of “months” and “days”, the vast majority for extremely worthy causes and fundraising opportunities.
We have just seen the culmination of the Ashes cricket series between Australia and England, where the final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground is dedicated to the Jane McGrath Foundation, founded by the late wife of fast bowling great Glenn.
For us at Cancer Council Tasmania, our day is tomorrow, World Cancer Day, uniting us in our mission to minimise the incidence and impact of cancer on all Tasmanians.
And this is important because every day almost nine Tasmanians are diagnosed with cancer.
The World Cancer Day theme is: “We can. I can.”
Two short statements that can incite action, collectively or individually.
Your New Year’s resolutions may already have been forgotten, but this is a pledge that can make a difference.
Don’t wait for the next New Year, it may be too late.
One of the ways we inspire action is to call on government to step up and support the case for additional investment into cancer prevention activities.
Each year, Cancer Council Tasmania puts forward a welljustified and supported budget request to Government for increased funds to educate Tasmanians on how to reduce their cancer risk.
An easy return on investment, so why is it so hard to get a response?
I can continue to advocate for additional funding. The support of all Tasmanians is welcomed. We receive 90 per cent of our funding from direct donations from members of the Tasmanian public.
We can prevent cancer by educating and informing Tasmanians on the links between lifestyle and risk.
We can empower people to make informed choices. One in three cancers is preventable through adopting healthy behaviours.
I know that I can make better choices. I can make sure I am aware of any changes in my body. I can get checked regularly. So can you.
We can create healthy schools which champion healthy behaviours for children, staff, parents and families.
I can ensure my grandchildren are educated on how to reduce their cancer risk. Are your children growing up with the awareness that we never had?
We can create healthy workplaces and ensure employers use the workplace as platforms for cancer prevention and early detection.
Employers can create a culture and provide the right support for employees with a cancer diagnosis to foster a successful transition back to work. I can make this happen in my workplace. You can in yours, too.
Cancer must not be a taboo subject. We must challenge perceptions, improve knowledge, counter misinformation and reduce
the stigma and discrimination that people living with cancer can be subject to.
There is no right way to cope with cancer. I can make sure I find the time to listen and provide support. If it is someone I love, I can tell them. Don’t be afraid.
Everyone must have the right to access effective, quality cancer care.
No one should suffer economic hardship because of a cancer diagnosis.
They are imperatives. We can advocate for equitable access to cancer treatment and services.
I can ask people impacted by cancer how they feel. We can all find ways to support people living with cancer.
We can influence policy change to reduce exposure to cancer risk factors, improve access to medicines and quality cancer care.
I can be an advocate. It will save a life now or in the future.
More than 1200 Tasmanians a year lose their life to this insidious disease; so many more feel the impact of cancer via this loss of life.
Last year, Cancer Council Tasmania provided more than 4600 occasions of support.
We presented to more than 80 organisations and nearly 1000 people on how to reduce their cancer risk.
Through the SunSmart program, we are ensuring more than 65,000 young Tasmanians at primary schools and early childhood services are educated on the risks of being exposed to the sun.
Our transport 2 treatment ensures more than 240 Tasmanians are able to get to their treatments. Our investment in research over the past 22 years is now more than $4.7 million.
Each and every year we need to raise more than $4 million to continue our services and programs. All the funds we raise stay in Tasmania and go towards assisting people living with cancer and our prevention, support and research programs.
We are committed to achieving our mission … We will. I will.
Together, we can make a difference. Please continue to support the Daffodil. Penny Egan is chief executive of Cancer Council Tasmania.