Our History

Established as the Anti-Cancer Campaign Committee, what was to become today’s Cancer Council SA, was formed by Dr F S Hone, with the support of the Faculty of Medicine and the Council of The University of Adelaide. Its goal was to facilitate cancer research and improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer in South Australia.

During this time, the Anti-Cancer Campaign Committee provided the medical staff, medical physicists and equipment, and supervised the treatment of patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s (RAH) Radiotherapy Department.

The RAH took over the employment of the medical and other staff working in the Radiotherapy Department. The Anti-Cancer Campaign Committee funded the department’s first Linear Accelerator at a cost of £70,000.

Now renamed the Anti-Cancer Foundation of the University of Adelaide, the focus shifted towards gaining a better scientific understanding of cancer, by funding medical equipment and research across several institutions including Waite Agricultural Research Institute and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science.

A Patient Care Committee was formed to provide non-medical support to cancer patients. This resulted in the initial development of a visiting nurse service that was later handed over to the Royal District Nursing Service.

The first Cancer Education Officer was employed, through funding from The Lions Club of South Australia and the Northern Territory — providing information about cancer to school children and the general public.

The Foundation was renamed The Anti-Cancer Foundation of the Universities of South Australia after joining forces with Flinders University. During this time, the first Fundraising Officer was employed to increase public donations to support our work.

The Anti-Cancer Foundation of the Universities of South Australia was incorporated and subsequently took over the role of Trustee from The University of Adelaide.

The Foundation introduced the much loved Daffodil Day and Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea events.

The Anti-Cancer Foundation of the Universities of South Australia bought its first motel (former Cancer Council Greenhill Lodge) comprising 55 rooms of accommodation. A few years later it bought a group of nine, self-contained units at Fullarton (Seaview Lodge) to provide affordable accommodation for regional people and carers who needed to travel to Adelaide for cancer treatment.

The Foundation became The Anti-Cancer Foundation of South Australia with a community based Board of Directors and an independent Chairman. To this day, we work closely with both The University of Adelaide and Flinders University.

The Foundation was renamed The Cancer Council South Australia with a daffodil logo, in line with The Cancer Council Australia and most of its state members. The Cancer Council South Australia was registered as the business name of the Anti-Cancer Foundation of South Australia.

A refreshed logo was adopted by all Cancer Councils across Australia and our name changed to what it is today, Cancer Council SA.

The Ambassador Project was launched to better engage and inform the South Australian community about the work we do. Ambassadors were tasked to use their personal skills and experience to represent the Cancer Council SA within their local communities. It has since become one of our most successful community engagement projects.

Cancer Council SA embarked on a landmark cancer research partnership with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the SA Government – the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project – to lead the way in finding the next cancer breakthrough for South Australians.

The Marilyn Jetty Swim takes its inaugural plunge at Brighton Jetty, inspiring thousands to don their best Marilyn Monroe costume and swim 400 metres to raise funds for cancer prevention, research and support services. Since its launch, the annual event has raised more than $1.7 million.

Cancer Council SA opens the state-of-the-art Greenhill Lodge facility to support regional South Australians undergoing cancer treatment. Designed as a ‘home away from home’ for guests and carers, the Lodge features 120 rooms of supportive accommodation, as well as a range of on-site support services including access to social workers, transport to treatment, welcoming communal spaces and dining facilities.

Cancer Council SA advocacy delivers statewide restrictions on unhealthy food and drink advertising on public transport – a major step in protecting families and advancing public health messaging.

Since 1928, Cancer Council SA has been ever evolving. Today, we are South Australia’s leading cancer charity, working across every aspect of every cancer.

Every day we are working towards our purpose, to reduce the rate and impact of cancer for all South Australians through our prevention, research and support.

We couldn’t do this without the generous support of the South Australian community. Together, we continue to deliver life-saving cancer prevention programs, invest in groundbreaking cancer research and provide vital support services to ensure no South Australian has to face cancer alone.