Cancer Council’s The Longest Day is back for 2026, calling all golf legends to take on the ultimate test of skill and stamina - 72 holes in a single day - to raise vital funds for life-saving cancer research, prevention, and support services right here in the ACT. This year, The Longest Day will officially take place on Monday, 9 November 2026, but participants can complete their challenge at their local golf club anytime throughout November and December.
Verity Hawkins, CEO of Cancer Council ACT said “Last year, 140 Canberrans picked up their clubs for The Longest Day. This year we want to go bigger, with more golfers, more clubs and more funds for local cancer research, prevention and support services. We can't do that without our community.
What stays with me most is the incredible mix of people who get involved. We've had everyone from first-time golfers to seasoned professionals and almost every one of them has a personal story about how cancer has impacted their life.”
With almost 1 in 2 Australians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, we all have a role to play in reducing its impact. By taking on The Longest Day, participants are helping Cancer Council ACT fund local cancer research, provide support to locals affected by cancer and empower our community to reduce their risk of cancer through delivery of prevention programs.
Thanks to the support of our community, we’ve seen incredible progress in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, with survival rates improving from 51% in the late 1980s to around 70% today.
Participants can choose to play as many holes as they would like. Whether they play 18 holes or go all the way to 72, every hole counts - and every dollar raised helps get us closer to a cancer-free future.
While playing golf is a good way to keep active, the fundraiser is also an opportunity to remind golfers to protect themselves on the course. Golfers are almost 2.5 times more likely than the general population to develop skin cancer in their lifetime, due to their extended periods of time in the sun.
Ms Hawkins said that it’s important that golfers remain SunSmart while on the course, “before teeing off, protect yourself and your mates from the sun by wearing sun protective clothing, applying SPF50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, donning a broad-brim hat, seeking shade, and putting on wraparound sunglasses.”
It takes many hands to take on cancer, and that’s why Cancer Council ACT hopes to raise $50,000 and have 150 golfers take part in The Longest Day this year, to support Canberrans affected by cancer.
Golf clubs can get involved by hosting players, visit www.longestday.org.au/clubs to learn more.
Canberrans can register now to participate at www.longestday.org.au and start fundraising.
-ENDS-
ADDITIONAL INFO/KEY FACTS:
Registered clubs
Five clubs across Canberra have registered to host players across November and December:
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Murrumbidgee Country Club
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Royal Military College Golf Club
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Fairbairn Golf Club
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Canberra Public Golf Course
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Queanbeyan Golf Club
Cancer statistics
Across Australia, it was estimated that in 2025,169,759 cases of cancer will be diagnosed, with an estimated 53,545 cancer deaths in 20252 shows that cancer will continue to be the leading cause of all deaths and premature deaths in Australia up to 2044.
Other stats:
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Cancer accounts for around 3 of every 10 deaths in Australia
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Every day, about 466 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer
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Every day, about 147 Australians will die from cancer
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Since late 2000s, both cancer incidence and mortality rates have generally decreased, and 5-year relative survival estimates have improved from 50% in 1987-1991 to 72% in 2017-2021.
Impact of donations
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$10 – Helps someone newly diagnosed access important information and support resources
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$25 – Equips cancer researchers with essential chemicals and lab equipment
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$50 – Helps pay for collection and processing of a blood sample for cancer research
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$150 – Provides an ENHANCE Wellbeing session to support individuals affected by cancer before, during and after treatment
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$1,000 – Enables our 13 11 20 health professionals to help 15 people affected by cancer who need information or emotional and practical support
About us:
About Cancer Council ACT:
Cancer Council ACT has been advocating for Canberrans living with cancer for 50 years across every aspect of cancer prevention, support and research to alleviate the impact of cancer in the community. Learn more about what we do here.
Contact details:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Cancer Council ACT
