Cancer touches us all

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. It takes a life every 15 minutes*.

Cancer is no respecter of fame or status - Olivia, Lance Armstrong ... yet, while these famous survivors make the headlines, cancer touches the lives of every man, woman and child.

In Australia more than 100 people die from cancer every day – and 40% are under the age of 70.*

*The World Health Organisation Global InfoBase

How cancer hurts us

It's 15 years since Olivia Newton-John recovered from breast cancer. Now she visits cancer patients and offers her support to others.

The cancers most commonly causing death for men are: lung cancer prostate cancer colorectal cancer For women, the most common cancers are: breast cancer lung cancer colorectal cancer For children under 15 years, the most common cancers are: lymphoid leukaemia brain cancer central nervous system cancer

Taking a step in the right direction

The good news is that success rates in the treatment of cancer improve each year. The last two decades have seen a 30% improvement in survival from cancer for both men and women.  The mortality rate from cancer in 2001 was the lowest since cancer registry operations began in Australia in 1971*.

*The World Health Organisation Global InfoBase

Real Stories, Real Survivors Harley Hero – meet Rhonda Martinez "All of us can make a difference. It is a great feeling to help out, it means everything to cancer survivors like me."    Rhonda Martinez In December 2000, three days before Christmas, Rhonda Martinez was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her experience has inspired her to huge achievements in the fight against cancer … “It took a while for the full impact of my diagnosis to set in. As it did, I experienced a whole variety of feelings ranging from sadness and anxiety to anger, frustration and despair. “As I got further and further into my treatment, I realised each time I left the hospital and walked back out in reality that this could not be all there is. Each time I walked back out in the crowded street knowing what I had just been injected with, I felt so alone and alienated. If only there was somewhere to go and talk to others who would understand, a ‘place’, a ‘special room’, anything; where patients could retreat before and after chemotherapy.” After Rhonda had finished her treatment, she came across an article in her local newspaper about Olivia Newton-John setting up a “Wellness Centre”. “Of course the more I read about the “Wellness Centre” the more I realised this was exactly what was needed. “This Centre would provide a place to sit, relax, chat or cry.  A chance to talk to other patients about your treatment.  A place to have coffee, a massage, read a book or get information.  Somewhere to just chill out for a while knowing in a few hours after the treatment, you will be too sick to do any of these things. Just a ‘space’ to collect one's thoughts, that’s all.” Rhonda was so excited and decided she must help out in whatever way was possible. She’s already raised over $250,000 using her love of Harley Davidson motorcycles and fashion to create an event she’s called ‘Leather and Lace Ball’. She recently won the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Victorian ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ for her work with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal, and will be joining Olivia for the entire Great Walk to Beijing! Whilst she is nervous about the challenge, she is determined to do it! "All of us can make a difference. It is a great feeling to help out - it means everything to cancer survivors like me." Click here to support Rhonda on her Great Walk.

Researcher, Rotarian, Survivor, Walker – meet Gordon Chan

Gordon Chan is Head of Radiopharmacy at Austin Hospital. He's also a cancer survivor and will join Olivia in The Great Walk to Beijing 2008.

Gordon Chan has worked at Austin Health for 30 years and has seen both sides of cancer – as a staff member and a cancer patient. Gordon, diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2003, demonstrated his true Rotarian spirit of service to the community as he joined Olivia on The Great Walk …

 “What happened was I was reading a book on Lance Armstrong’s testicular cancer and realised I had similar symptoms, but had been ignoring them. I was also working on a research study at the Austin that indicated there was a problem.

 “I am lucky to have been diagnosed early because the cancer cells were starting to spread by then. The staff were incredible. No matter how busy they were - working in such cramped and less than ideal conditions in the old Day Oncology Unit - they always had a smile and never complained.”

 Gordon said that he would have loved to have a Wellness Centre to go to after his chemotherapy sessions.

“It’s not just about the physical treatment ... it’s the emotional treatment as well…the Wellness Centre will be such a great benefit as part of the holistic approach to cancer treatment ... I am just happy to do whatever I can to help make this happen. Each day now is a bonus for me. Little things don’t annoy me as much anymore … there are more important things in life.”

The Austin is also one of the largest treatment centres for cancer in Australasia. Money raised in The Great Walk to Beijing 2008 will enable research facilities to be upgraded and centralised in the new Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.  The outcomes will impact on treatment of cancer world-wide.

“I know from working here that our research is world-class. Combining researchers, clinicians and wellness therapists will be so much more beneficial and help us work easier as a team, to collaborate on vital research. There is still a lot of cancer research to be done.”

Click here to support Gordon for his steps on the Great Walk; towards a cancer-free future for all.