Have a cuppa for a cause this May and support South Australian cancer research

Cancer Council SA is encouraging South Aussies to come together and celebrate 30 years of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and new funding for South Australian cancer research which aims to save the lives of children with leukaemia.

To celebrate 30 years of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Cancer Council SA hopes to raise over $1.2 million to help reduce the rate and impact of cancer for all South Australians.

All the money raised will fund Cancer Council SA’s vital support services, prevention programs, and life-saving cancer research through the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project, which today announced a further investment of $500,000 into local South Australian cancer research in 2023.

Professor Deborah White from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is one of two recipients of a new Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project Translational Research Package. Her research aims to improve patient outcomes and ultimately, save the lives of patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) which is most common in children under 10 years old.

“No child, or adult, should lose their life to ALL and we work daily to do everything we can to improve outcomes,” she said.

“In translational cancer research, it’s about seeing the work we do translate to the clinic to help with the understanding of patients’ leukaemia, and possible treatment options. We still have a way to go, but in many areas we have had a significant impact.”

The Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project is a major source of cancer research investment in the state and has invested $2.5 million into local, South Australian cancer research in 2023. It is an Australian first collaboration between Cancer Council SA, the State Government, SAHMRI, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands said that without the thousands of South Australians who have come together to help raise over $200 million nationally through Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, funding life-saving research through the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project simply wouldn’t be possible.

“Sadly, all of us will be affected by cancer at some point in our lives and this is exactly what inspires many of our supporters to host their own Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea,” she said.

“Through events like Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, we are able to ensure that every South Australian is supported, across every stage of their cancer experience, while also funding vital research and prevention programs to save future lives.”

“Since 2011, the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project has invested more than $40 million into local South Australian cancer research across a range of cancer types.”

“On behalf of all South Australians impacted by cancer, thank you to everyone who has supported Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea over the past 30 years for helping us continue to work towards the next cancer breakthrough through the Beat Cancer Project.”

“We are incredibly proud to fund life-saving cancer research through the Beat Cancer Project that not only has the potential to save children’s lives but gives hope to families during such a difficult time.”

The official day to host a Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday 25 May, but South Australians can host their way anytime in May or June.

For more information or to register, visit biggestmorningtea.com.au

If you’re unable to host or attend a morning tea and still want to show your support, you can donate directly through the Biggest Morning Tea website.