In 1936, Cancer Council Victoria (originally the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria) was formed to save more lives from cancer by pouring resources into research, education and patient care. For 90 years, generous donors have been the backbone of our lifesaving achievements, driving our work every step of the way.
Every breakthrough, every new program, every change in the system has been made possible because of people like you!
The pioneer
In 1953, in a small lab under cramped conditions, a passionate young cancer researcher began his career in the most un-glamourous circumstances. But it would be here that he would make his first major discoveries, eventually transforming cancer treatment around the globe, saving millions of lives and earning him the title of “Father of Haematology”.
Professor Donald Metcalf’s greatest breakthrough was the discovery of important blood growth factors in the bone marrow that he called ‘colony stimulating factors’ (CSFs). CSFs have now been used to treat over 20 million people worldwide, helping to reduce infections from high-dose chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplants, and other health conditions.
The Victorian Tobacco Act 1987
In 1987, the Victorian Tobacco Act struck hard at the tobacco industry, kicking off legislation that progressively eliminated the promotion of tobacco products in Australia. It was one of the most important public health reforms in the country and marked the beginning of the end for the tobacco industry’s influence in Australian media and politics.
The landmark victory came off the back of decades of anti-tobacco advocacy and activism with many key players helping to make it happen, including then Cancer Council Director Dr Nigel Gray, Cancer Council’s Quit Coordinator Dorothy Reading, and then Health Minister David White.
The seagull and the sun
In the summer of 1981, a lovable animated seagull strode onto television screens and changed how whole generations would relate to the sun.
Sid the Seagull was born and so was the iconic jingle Slip! Slop! Slap! that has helped millions of Aussies remember to protect themselves from the sun to lowe their risk of skin cancer.
Along with SunSmart campaigns, education and programs, this has led to a more than 50 per cent drop in melanoma diagnoses among Victorians aged 25-49 between 1997-2023.
The elimination goal
In April 2007, around 250 teen girls at Princes Hill Secondary College lined up to become the first generation to be vaccinated against HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer. This historical moment set Victoria on course to be one of the first places in the world to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.
From training doctors in cervical cytology and early awareness campaigns in the 1950s, to the pathway to equitable elimination, Victoria has been leading the way in cervical cancer prevention for decades.
And now, for the first time ever, there has been zero recorded cases of cervical cancer in Victorians under 25 thanks to the HPV vaccination program.
