Cancer Council ACT has seen an extraordinary few months, filled with some remarkable events and achievements.  

To begin with, I want to express my gratitude to the numerous volunteers and dedicated staff who generously contributed their time and effort for one of our significant fundraising events, Daffodil Day that we celebrated on 31 August.

In August, we also launched our Walks n Talks Program, that successfully ran until the end of September, and has been well received by those experiencing cancer. With overwhelmingly positive feedback, we have now incorporated the program into our range of services for cancer patients in all stages of their journey.

I would like to acknowledge our Prevention Team, which achieved significant milestones in recent months. In addition to working with The Alexander Maconochie Centre to go smoke-free, the team have also been busy advocating for better health outcomes for our community. Notably, collaborating with Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Association ACT (ATODA), the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, and Nutrition Australia to speak up for preventive health actions that will benefit all Canberrans. I look forward to keeping you updated on these important activities.

One of our key objectives is to reduce the significant disparity in harm experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities when it comes to colorectal and lung cancer. Cancer Council ACT is proud to have worked alongside Canberra Health Services (CHS) to support the delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designed and led health workshops. These “Yarn Up” sessions have leveraged the expertise of the projects team at CHS, and organisations who understand the community best to address major gaps in First Nations health outcomes.

As always, I express my sincere thanks for your support of Cancer Council ACT. Together, with your support, it’s all of us against cancer.

Canberra Turned Yellow for Cancer Research

Canberra once again turned yellow in August as the city came together to support Cancer Council ACT on Daffodil Day. Celebrating its 37th year, the event raised funds for ACT-based cancer research in the fight against cancer.

Cancer Council ACT help AMC go Smoke-Free

Cancer Council ACT prevention team collaborated with ACT Corrective Services and the Smoke-Free AMC projects team to deliver brief intervention training to custodial officers, case management staff, and imprisoned people.  From 7 June 2023, tobacco and tobacco-related purchases were no longer available in the AMC centre. 

Walks n Talks Program Pilot

Cancer Council ACT piloted a series of gentle walks for people living with cancer who wished to enjoy some time in the great outdoors in the company of others and nurture some new skills and practices for getting the best out of life inside and out. The 4 week pilot took place through September and included easy to reach locations around Canberra. The Walks n Talks sessions were facilitated by Dr Jo Chaffer, who is the facilitator and guide leading the Walk n Talks for Cancer Council ACT. 

Considering the positive feedback received and the poularity of the program among cancer patients, the Walks n Talks program has now been incorporated as a service offering for cancer patients by Cancer Council ACT.

Do you know what's the UV now?

The UV is now 3 and above (skin damaging levels) each day in the ACT so we need to be using sun protection on daily basis. Remember the more forms of sun protection the better. So don't forget to: Slip on sun-protective clothing. Slop on broad spectrum, water-resistant SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen. Slap on a hat. Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses 

Thanks to our donor community, we can keep providing support to those affected by cancer in the Canberra community, as well as funding prevention programs and research grants.

With your support, it’s all of us against cancer.