For three decades, thousands of generous Victorians have hosted a morning tea in their homes, at work, or in their community, raising well over $200 million for cancer research, prevention, and support.
“It’s been amazing to see Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea grow over the years and become one of the most-loved fundraising events in our community," said Cancer Council Victoria’s Head of Fundraising Lyrian Fleming-Parsley.
“Everyone loves coming together for a cuppa! It’s incredible to see the progress being made thanks to generous donations to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, which has helped to fund ground-breaking cancer research throughout the years, leading to many life-saving discoveries.”
When the event began 30 years ago, the five-year cancer survival rate was just 53.4 per cent; this has now reached 71 per cent. Such significant improvement is largely thanks to generous donations invested into cancer research.
The commitment to this cause, and enthusiasm brought by so many across the state, has been truly heart-warming as supporters hosted in their own way. Like Kym Walker, who shared her cancer story in support of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and hosted an epic night of music and laughter.
Kym Walker and Prof. Erika Sloan celebrate 30 years of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Kym is passionate about supporting advances in cancer treatment and is grateful to researchers like Prof. Erika Sloan who is leading a ground-breaking study funded by Cancer Council Victoria. Prof. Sloan’s study explores the potential for a cardiac drug, known as a beta-blocker, to be re-purposed to improve the effects of radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
“The idea is that beta-blockers stop the stress response, which we hope will improve the immune response against cancer, and boost the effects of radiotherapy,” said Prof. Sloan.
“Without this funding, made possible by donations from campaigns like Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, we wouldn’t have been able to discover that a cardiac drug could improve radiotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
We thank the 5,200 Biggest Morning Tea hosts across Victoria who together raised over $3 million for cancer research. Without our supporters, discoveries like Prof. Sloan’s would not be possible.
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