EXPANSION OF CAUSE SEES STRONG SUPPORT AND GROWTH FOR
BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH
MOTHER'S DAY CLASSIC 2024
EVENT IMAGES HERE
80,000 people nationwide have turned out for the 2024 Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic, to celebrate and honour those impacted by breast and ovarian cancer and fund research into these deadly diseases.
Australia’s biggest fun run and walk for breast and ovarian cancer research was held at 75 locations in major cities, metro areas and regional towns across the nation. People also took part in the annual fundraiser by choosing a day, a time and a location that suited them in their own local area.
In 2024, the Mother’s Day Classic took a monumental step, broadening its focus on women’s health and stopping cancer in its tracks, with the introduction of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) as a second beneficiary of the funds raised by thousands of Australians this Mother’s Day.
This bold initiative has been strongly supported by the community with attendance and fundraising up by 20% from previous years.
Over the last 27 years, 1.6 million participants have taken part in the Mother’s Day Classic donating more than $44 million for vital breast cancer research to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Over this period the five-year relative survival rate for those diagnosed with breast cancer has improved from 84% to 92%. In 2024, the new partnership with OCRF will aim to improve the statistics that currently see ovarian cancer claiming the life of a woman every eight hours in Australia with a five-year relative survival rate of just 49%.
With proceeds from the 2024 Mother’s Day Classic donated to both the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, participants have been able to choose to support and fundraise for breast cancer research, ovarian cancer research or both. Fundraising remains open until 30 June 2024 and the final donation will be revealed in August.
Donations can still be made at mothersdayclassic.com.au.
Mother’s Day Classic CEO Zara Lawless said:
“We knew 2024 was going to be an incredibly special year for the Mother’s Day Classic as we extended our impact to include ovarian cancer research in addition to breast cancer research, however, the response from our community has exceeded our expectations.
“We are thrilled to have a strong turnout of 80,000 people at our 75 events nationwide and appreciate everyone who has come out today to participate, volunteer or donate in support of breast and ovarian cancer research.
“The Mother’s Day Classic Foundation is committed to funding the research that will stop breast and ovarian cancer in their tracks. Research is the gift that one generation gives to the next and our community today has been part of something that is bigger than themselves.
“In 2023, the Mother’s Day Classic donated $2.5 million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and we are well on our way to smash that this year.
“It truly is inspiring to see the community unite with an overwhelming feeling of strength, joy, hope and togetherness.
“Mother’s Day can be an extremely challenging day for some people for many different reasons – including those that have lost loved ones and those that are facing or have been through a life-threatening diagnosis. The Mother’s Day Classic provides a way for our community to stand stronger together and for people to realise that they are not alone.”
Donations can still be made at mothersdayclassic.com.au.
The 2024 event signifies the conclusion of ME Bank’s two-decade-long association with the Mother’s Day Classic. The Mother’s Day Classic Foundation expresses its gratitude for ME’s final fundraising effort during last Tuesday’s Matched Giving Day, which culminated generous donations totalling $260,000.
“ME’s unwavering commitment over the past 20 years has been instrumental in our growth from a walk in the park in 1998 to a nationwide event spanning 75 locations. Their significant contribution to the $44 million raised is deeply appreciated,” said Ms Lawless.
For further information please contact:
Michelle Stamper
Stamping Ground
michelle@stampingground.com.au
0413 117 711
Facebook: facebook.com/mothersdayclassicaus
Instagram: instagram.com/mothersdayclassicaus/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mother's-day-classic/
Hashtags: #mothersdayclassic #mdc2024
Founded by: Women In Super, an industry body that advocates for superannuation policies to improve women’s economic security. WIS is also a national member organisation consisting of women working within the superannuation and related financial services industries, who in 1998 established the Mother’s Day Classic, to raise money in the hope that finding a cure for breast cancer would mean more women would live long enough to access their superannuation. In 2024, WIS was proud to support the Mother’s Day Classic in expanding its impact to include ovarian cancer research.
NBCF: The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia's leading not-for-profit organisation funding world-class breast cancer research towards our vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer. Since our inception in 1994, NBCF has invested $216 million into 622 world-class research projects across Australia. In this time, death rates from breast cancer in Australia have reduced by 43%. We've seen remarkable results, but the job is not done. At NBCF, we’re determined to create a better tomorrow. We know research matters, and it is central and critical to improving breast cancer outcomes. That’s why we fund the very best breast cancer research in Australia by awarding grants via an open national, competitive and rigorous peer review process.
OCRF: The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) is Australia’s leading independent funder of ovarian cancer research. With the support of philanthropic, corporate and community supporters, the OCRF’s mission is to fund the most innovative research with the greatest impact upon survival and quality of life for anyone experiencing an ovarian cancer diagnosis. OCRF distributes research grants through a rigorous international peer review process, supporting Australian-led research in four priority areas: Early detection; Improved treatments; Reducing recurrence; Prevention and cure. Our goals are step-change in funds raised and research undertaken; to increase the 5-year survival rate from 49% to greater than 90%; and to provide hope, advocacy, agency and engagement for our community of patients, supporters and families.
Proud Major Partner – ME Bank
ME Bank believes that money can do good. That’s why ME was a proud sponsor of the Mother’s Day Classic from 2005, donating over $2 million to breast cancer research through product and staff initiatives. In 2024, our 20th year as major sponsor of the Mother’s Day Classic, we joined the fight for ovarian cancer too. Find out more about our partnership at mebank.com.au.
Contact details:
For further information please contact:
Michelle Stamper
Stamping Ground
michelle@stampingground.com.au
0413 117 711
