your fundraising has an enormous impact on how cancer is researched and treated.
Cancer Council is the largest non-government funder of cancer research in the country - and it's because of Chargers like you.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to invest almost $250 million in Australian cancer research in the past 5 years alone.
This investment in research helped increase cancer survival rates from 49% in the 1980s to over 70% today.
And we're working to make sure the funds you raise go even further.
You can find some more information about how the funds you raise help the almost 1 in 2 Australians that are affected by cancer by age 85 below.
your charge in action
Cancer Council is the only organisation that works across every area of every cancer - through research, prevention, advocacy, and support.
$54.2M
Invested in life-saving cancer research last year alone, across all cancers & all stages of the cancer journey - because we believe that’s how we make the biggest difference
250,000
times our services were used by Australians affected by cancer last year. We provide vital support to help make every stage of the cancer journey easier.
2 million
Little Aussies protected from harmful UV radiation, through the SunSmart Schools and Early Childhood program.
Cancer researcher (and 9-time Charger!) says...
"The efforts of so many Chargers have helped fund vital research.
While we've made significant progress, there's still much to be done.
Tackling cancer takes all of us, that's why thousands of Australians are taking part in The March Charge."
Dr. Peter Sarich
Research Fellow, The Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney
research you've helped fund
Over the last 25 years, progress in cancer control and care has been achieved through the work of the cancer care and public health sectors, health professionals, and community, all underpinned by innovative research.
Working together with the Australian government, policies have been put into practice that have contributed to saving more than 107,000 lives.
Here are just some of the things we've been able to achieve - together.
early adoption of screening programs
Thousands of cancers have been detected earlier and successfully treated due to screening and related campaign work.
In 2021 to 2022, an additional 240,000 National Bowel Cancer Screening Program test kits were returned and estimated to have saved more than 850 lives from bowel cancer alone.
leading the world in tobacco control
Australia’s world-first tobacco control initiatives have reduced smoking rates and saved lives.
Plain packaging saw an estimated 100,000 fewer Australians smoking just three years after it was implemented in 2012.
on track to eliminate cervical cancer
After decades of prioritising screening and immunisation, Australia is slated to be one of the first countries to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2035.
tackling our national cancer
Through prevention such as the iconic ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’ campaigns, we have seen a reduction in melanoma rates in Australians under 40.
Australia was also one of the first countries to ban the commercial use of solariums in 2015.
but there's still more to do
In the year 2034, there will be an estimated 209,000 Australians diagnosed that year with cancer, a 23% increase on 2024.
We need your continued support to build on these successes and improve outcomes for all Australians.
funds you raise will help us to:
- Increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program to save more lives from bowel cancer.
- Provide equitable access to cancer care by reducing the financial burden of cancer through improved services and support.
- Invest in skin cancer prevention campaigns towards a future free from skin cancer.
- Tackle the rise of obesity to reduce the incidence of 13 types of cancer.
research highlight:
a breakthrough in lung cancer screening
Pivotal research by Cancer Council researchers leads to a new national screening program for lung cancer!
For the past decade, Cancer Council researchers (now part of the Daffodil Centre*) have led and partnered on pivotal research into the feasibility of a lung cancer screening program across Australia.
Our research reached a breakthrough in May 2023 when Mark Butler, the Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care, announced $263 million for a new national screening program for lung cancer, which is expected to be phased in from July 2025.
This research was made possible thanks to the generous support of Chargers like you and your friends, family, and colleagues.
Your support will make a huge difference to the lives of those impacted by cancer like Belinda and her family. Belinda is Charging for the sixth time in 2025 in honour of both her parents who died from lung cancer and her eldest brother who died from throat cancer.
Belinda shared “this is so close to my heart - watching my family members lose their battle to cancer, I Charge for THEM each year. And watching all those that work selflessly to help patients and families, I hope that by contributing I am helping to find cures for cancer.”
The Background
Lung cancer begins when abnormal cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way in the lungs. Cancer that starts in the lungs is called primary lung cancer. It can spread throughout the lungs, and to the lymph nodes, pleura, brain, adrenal glands, liver and bones.
Last year, an estimated 14,800 Aussies were diagnosed with lung cancer
Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Australia.
Every day, about 24 Australians die from lung cancer – about 1 every hour.
The Research
Thanks to your support, the work of The Daffodil Centre* researchers like A/Professor Marianne Weber, directly influenced the Australian Government’s decision to introduce a new national screening program for lung cancer.
The Daffodil Centre’s independent research provided evidence to Australian government bodies that lung cancer screening would indeed be feasible and cost-effective in Australia. It was a key factor for the government’s independent Medical Services Advisory Committee’s recommendation for the introduction of a screening program, following a deferred decision which sought additional evidence.
The new program has the potential to detect lung cancers earlier in people at high risk. The program is expected to target people who are most at risk of lung cancer – those aged 50 to 70 with a history of heavy smoking.This will help more Australians survive lung cancer, which causes the most cancer related deaths in Australia.
“This is a timely addition to Australia’s national screening programs, with the potential to save 4,000 lives in the first six years of the program."
A/Professor Marianne Weber is also a fellow Charger and is Charging for the 7th time this year! Thanks for joining us in telling cancer where to go, both in and out of the lab Marianne!
*The Daffodil Centre is a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney.
If you or a loved one are affected by cancer at this time, you can call us on 13 11 20 for confidential information and support from one of our friendly healthcare professionals. Or visit our Online Community, a safe and supportive online discussion site.
