BREW UP A CUPPA
CANCER Council Queensland is shooting for a Far Northern fundraising record of $160,000 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Biggest Morning Tea .
The Far North typically raises about $150,000 for cancer through the event.
It was officially launched yesterday with a special morning tea at Cairns Skyrail.
Cancer Council Queensland regional fundraising senior co-ordinator Jenny Coates said enthusiasm was high for the 25th year.
“People are starting to understand how easy it is to get some friends together, have a cuppa and make a donation,” she said.
“We’ve already got a lot of the Country Women’s Association signed up, some tennis clubs and other companies.”
According to Cancer Council statistical breakdowns, over 1400 people in the Far North were diagnosed with some form of cancer in the last year with 187 of those diagnosed with melanoma.
“Awareness and knowing your own body is important,” Ms Coates said.
“The good news is survival rates are good, but we’d still like to get those figures down.”
The Far North has a 67 per cent survival rate for invasive cancers in the first five years.
However, there are about 400 cancer-related deaths in the region each year.
In the 25 years, $32 million has been raised across Queensland as a whole.
The official host day for the Biggest Morning Tea is on May 24.
However, anyone can host a morning tea event throughout April, May or June. editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost