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20 AWARENESS SPOTLIGHT FROM PAGE 19 individual, with a partner or in a team. Preventing cancer is one of the most effective ways of reducing your cancer risk. One in three cancers can be prevented. By taking part in The March Charge, you can increase your physical activity and build healthy habits. Money raised from Cancer Council’s The March Charge helps fund world- class cancer research, prevention programs and support services to help those affected by cancer at every part of their journey. How successful was the campaign this year? What are your plans for the campaign in 2022? This year, we’ve seen the community really come together after a hard year, sharing some amazing stories of strength and inspiration. So far, through the incredible support of our 11,122 Chargers, the campaign has raised an astonishing $2.1 million, and it’s not over yet. Looking ahead to 2022, we’d love to continue to motivate the community to join the Charge against cancer, improve their own health and wellbeing (reducing their own cancer risk) while raising funds for people impacted by cancer. We hope to raise over $2.5 million next year. Do you have any other campaigns in the 2021 pipeline that people can get involved with? We have a number of fundraising campaigns throughout the year that we’d love people to get involved with: • Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea (May 2021) – host a morning tea your way this May or June at home, in your local park or via Zoom. • Dry July (July 2021) – go alcohol- free in July to raise funds for people affected by cancer. • Daffodil Day (August 2021) – donate or raise money in your local community to raise urgent funds for cancer research. • National Patio Day (December 2021) – host your get-together on the patio \\\\\\\[or similar space\\\\\\\] and celebrate the first-day-of-summer fundraiser with your friends and family. • Do it for Cancer (year-round) – fundraise your way for cancer, whether that’s a head shave, night in with the girls, garage sale or cycle. • The Longest Day (December 2021) – Compete in the ultimate golf challenge, playing 72 holes in one day. “Pharmacy assistants can get involved in the number of fundraisers that take place throughout the year ... like forming a team in The March Charge, or hosting a workplace Morning Tea.” How can pharmacy assistants get involved in and/or support the Cancer Council campaigns? How can they get the pharmacies in which they work involved? Pharmacy assistants can get involved in the number of fundraisers that take place throughout the year by either visiting our website at cancer.org.au/ get-involved/fundraising-and-events or getting in touch with their local Cancer Council office. Many of our campaigns are great team building exercises – like forming a team in The March Charge, or hosting a workplace Morning Tea, or even taking on the ultimate golf challenge with colleagues for The Longest Day. Why is it so important to raise awareness for this debilitating disease? An estimated 145,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year, with that number set to rise to 150,000 by 2022. One in two Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, and cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia – almost 50,000 deaths from cancer were estimated for 2019. We rely on the support of the community to continue our work across every area of cancer, from research to prevention and support. Every day, we support people affected by cancer when they need it most, speak out on behalf of the community on cancer issues, empower people to reduce their cancer risk, and find new ways to better detect and treat cancer. Thanks to our supporters, 61,000 Australians have been saved in the past 20 years thanks to cancer research. A total of $62.9 million was contributed together with our research partners in 2019. And the cancer survival rate has increased from 49 per cent in the 1980s to 69 per cent today through research investment. How can pharmacy assistants support the organisation and people suffering from this disease? There are a number of ways people can support, whether that’s hosting a workplace fundraiser, making a donation, signing up to be a regular giver, or just making your friends, family, colleagues and clients aware of the many support services we have available for people affected by cancer. If anyone you know or speak to needs any support, please let them know about our free and confidential information and support line: 13 11 20. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021