Breakthrough - April 2025

Message from Todd

Todd Harper

With one in two Victorians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, it’s an unfortunate truth that most of us will be affected by it, either by being diagnosed ourselves, or supporting a loved through their cancer journey.

We believe one in two is too many and are thrilled to have you with us helping to change this. Your support is developing gentler, more effective treatments and ensuring Victorians can get trusted cancer information and support when they need it most.

Thanks to you, we raised $593,428 on Cancer Research Giving Day, a wonderful achievement for a single day of generosity supported by our invaluable matching donors.

John Farnham’s sons Rob and James supported the day, speaking about the importance of championing innovative cancer research, a topic so close to their hearts after seeing their dad go through his own cancer journey in recent years.

Because of you, vital research is happening right now, and lives like John’s are being changed through early detection and new treatments.

Thank you for your kindness and for being part of this impactful work.

Todd Harper AM

CEO, Cancer Council Victoria

Your generosity in action

With you by our side, we’re here for all people facing cancer at all stages of their cancer journey. Here’s how your kindness is supporting Victorians every day.

$593,428

raised by Victorians for lifesaving cancer research on Cancer Reserarch Giving Day.

Thanks to you support, $3.3 million invested into 10 cutting-edge research grants to unlock discoveries in prevention, detction, treatment and care.

Our cancer nurses received over 13,140 calls for cancer support and information in 2024 and thanks to you we were there for all of them.

Thriving beyond leukaemia

Thanks to advancements in cancer research, more children are surviving a leukaemia diagnosis. But ensuring they have a good quality-of-life after treatment is just as important as saving their lives. That’s where dedicated researchers like Dr Sarah Grimshaw from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute come in.

A 'smoking gun' in the gut: Unpacking the surge in early-onset cancers

A/Prof. Dan Buchanan and his team’s research led to a startling discovery: a species of gut bacteria that produces a toxin called colibactin. This toxin can damage DNA in the bowel, potentially triggering cancer.

Paving the way for the next generation of cancer researchers

Ashleigh is one of almost 90 researchers over the past 20 years who got their start through our Summer Vacation Studentships program generously funded by people who had the foresight to leave a gift in their Will to Cancer Council Victoria.

If something doesn't feel right, get it checked

If Laurie hadn’t taken the free bowel screening test, he wouldn’t be alive today and would have missed out on so many experiences with his family and friends. Cancer screening saved his life, and many more lives can be saved through early detection.

“All the wind was taken out of me; I wasn’t expecting it,” Laurie said, remembering the day he received his bowel cancer diagnosis.

Watch's Laurie's story

Share your bowel screening story with us to help save lives

Thanks to the foresight and generosity of a Victorian who left us a gift in their Will, we were able to launch Victoria’s first-ever bowel screening awareness campaign in 2017. This important message has continued to be a cornerstone of our work ever since, saving hundreds of lives.
We know the power of having a real person at the heart of our campaign, someone who can share their experiences from diagnosis to recovery.

We’re looking for someone new to share their cancer screening story in 2025. You will join many others including bowel cancer survivor Laurie, who shared his cancer screening story in 2023 for our statewide bowel screening awareness campaign.
This led to more than 25,000 bowel screening tests being completed.

If you have been affected by bowel cancer and would like to share your story to help raise awareness about the importance of doing bowel screening through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, please fill in this form and we will get in contact with you.

Thank-you for your ongoing support as we work to save lives and support those living with cancer.

My Cancer Guide

Cancer is challenging. Finding the right support services shouldn’t be. My Cancer Guide is an online tool that includes links to over 450 cancer support services across Victoria and enables people to search for appropriate services based on location, cancer type and the support needed.

Discover the guide

Thank you for supporting people affected by cancer

Over the last couple of months, Victorians have run marathons, hosted afternoon teas, or shaved their heads (and so much more!) in support of people affected by cancer. Our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people giving their time, experiences, funds, and voices to support the work of Cancer Council Victoria.