Kokoda Chicks 2010

Walking the Kokoda Track is one of the most amazing things you will ever do. It is a huge challenge and one which is so rewarding. Combining that with raising money for a cause that affects so many people, makes the trek all the more special.

Kokoda Chicks commenced in 2007. I had wanted to walk the Track for a number of years after listening to my grandpa's stories about WWII in PNG. I felt that I needed to do it for a cause that is very close to my heart. Having lost both my mum and grandmother to breast cancer, raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation was a natural choice.

I found 11 other women to join me and called the group the 'Kokoda Chicks'. That first year, we raised around $105,000. In 2008, another group of Kokoda Chicks joined up and they managed to raise over $140,000. Amazing for 12 women!

If you would like more information on how to become one of the Kokoda Chicks or Kokoda Mixed, please contact founder Viona Young at vionayoung@hotmail.com or on her mobile, 0413 549 043.

Please click here to view the Chicks 2010 Flyer (524KB PDF) (we do not have a mixed team this year).

Inspirational Speaker

Sharon Cohrs - Climbing for a Cause

Towering over the earth at 8850 metres above sea level, climbing Mount Everest may seem to some to be the greatest test of human strength will and determination, but to Sharon Cohrs this battle is nothing compared to her recent fight with breast cancer.

The experienced and avid mountain climber faced the greatest challenge of her life when at 36 years old and just about to depart on yet another mountaineering adventure with her husband climbing their highest peak yet, Mt. Aconcagua (6959m), she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. By tackling Everest, Sharon aims to continue not only these fundraising efforts with a goal of $250,000 towards Breast Cancer Research, but to continue to inspire women all over the world suffering from this undiscriminating disease, and to prove to us all that with self belief, will and determination we can all conquer mountains!

To follow Sharon’s journey please visit www.climbingforacause.com.au

Running Pink: Running for a cure

Inspirational breast cancer survivor and ultra marathon runner Deb De Williams set off from Tasmania in October 2008 with the aim of running 20,000 kms around Australia in a year, raising $300,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation along the way. Running with her is her trusty collie Maggie, and alongside her in an unmissable pink caravan are her support team of her husband and parents. With no days off and a target of running 55 kms a day, help Deb reach her goal by donating online at her official website www.runningpink.com.au

Congratulations Tour De Cure

In March 2008, following the successful 2007 Brisbane to Sydney inaugural tour, a team of 33 cyclists and support staff left Melbourne's Federation Square. They cycled into Sydney 9 days, later raising much needed funds to assist in the fight against cancer.

Along the journey the riders and support crew received overwhelming support from the various regional towns they passed through on their way to Sydney. The regional communities came out in droves and supported the riders in their journey by hosting fundraising activities in their local area. This helped Tour de Cure exceed their fundraising target of $500,000.

One of the great initiatives from this event is the awarding of special jerseys to riders at the end of each leg. The NBCF PINK Jersey is awarded to the team member whose outstanding efforts during the day helped and supported the other team mates. It is the most coveted jersey to win as it reflect the mission of the race: helping others. The Tour de Cure raises money for three vital Australian charities - National Breast Cancer Foundation, The Prostate Foundation of Australia and Camp Quality.

Scott Strange, Everyday Hero

International golfer Scott Strange became an official NBCF ambassador in 2008, and will donate $50 for each birdie he scores on his 2009 golf tour to breast cancer research, as well as wear a special pink shirt on each Friday he plays to raise awareness of the disease. Scott has a personal connection to the cause, with his sister Natalie sadly passing away from cervical cancer last year, while his mum Rhonda is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. His goal is to raise $25,000 - help Scott reach his target by donating online to Scott's campaign via his webpage www.everydayhero.com.au/Scott_Strange

Photo courtesy Michael Williams/The West Australian

Womensport NSW

Womensport & Recreation NSW aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for women and girls by creating opportunities and motivating females to participate in sport, recreation and fitness. By increasing the levels of physical activity Womensport NSW believes women and girls of New South Wales will benefit from a long term healthier lifestyle.

For further information on Womensport NSW’s activities contact office@womensportnsw.com.au or visit www.womensportnsw.com.au.

Pink Horizon Fundraising Day

The Horizon Foundation raised money for breast cancer research and awareness by hosting the 'Going Pink' Horizon Food and Fundraising Day on 7/5/2010 at the Horizon Foundation in Capalaba QLD. There was a BBQ and live music entertainment, and the Foundation fundraised through food sales, raffles and fun games.

“The Pink Horizon fundraising day was a huge success with all arrangements coming together without a hitch. We had a great response from local business, and a good crowd made this event a fun-filled day, culminating in a very good result. Over $5,000.00 was raised for research into breast cancer on the day. Everyone had a good time, the sun shone and we were very happy with the outcome.” – Vivienne Rance, Executive Assistant to CEO, Horizon Foundation Inc

SUMSA Pink Ribbon Day

The Sydney University Muslim Students' Association (SUMSA) held its inaugural Pink Ribbon Day on Tuesday the 20th of October. The day consisted of a group of joyful SUMSArians, who enthusiastically sold NBCF merchandise and successfully raised $2700. SUMSA is the official body that represents the Muslim students at the University of Sydney.

As a religious organisation, Sumas's aims and actions are constructed to reflect the religion of Islam. 'Zakat' or charity, is one of the five obligatory pillars of Islam. In addition, the first command that was given to Prophet Muhammad, was 'iqra' or 'read'. Such a command demonstrates the value given to education, and such a pillar demonstrates the importance of generosity. Therefore, SUMSA's Pink Ribbon Day sought to reflect these Islamic principles by collecting charity in order to fund breast cancer research. By doing so, it also assisted in the building of intercultural and interreligious bridges amongst the students at Sydney University. All in all, it was an awesome event!

Hajar and Noor on behalf of SUMSA.

Lions Club of Croydon Pink Ribbon Lunch

On the 17th October , The Lions Club of Croydon held their annual Pink Ribbon Lunch at the Christian Reform Church Wonga Park to coincide with Pink Ribbon Day which this year is on Monday 26th October. The event raised $7,694.00.

What a wonderful sight to see 266 women dressed in pink, they were entertained by Peter Hitchener, who has been in the news business for 36 years and Lynette Mitchell a laughter leader, whose motto is Laughter is the ‘glue’ that holds us together.

Peter offered his services on the day, he waited on tables, helped in the kitchen and assisted in our fundraising activities. He also entertained us all with stories from his news reading and also some of the wonderful people he has worked with.

Many of the ladies left with beautiful spot and raffle prizes donated by local business establishments, Lions Club members, families and friends. The value of the prizes was in excess of $2,000.00.

One in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. Breast Cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in Australian women with 13,600 new cases expected to be diagnosed this year. But thanks to excellent research, deaths from the disease have decreased by 22% in the past decade, with more women knowing the benefits of early detection and an increase in treatment options.

By supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation you have the chance to make a real difference to many people’s lives – Men, Women and Children!!

Donations can be sent to the Lions Club of Croydon Box 59 Croydon 3136

Hendy O’Toole
Lions Club of Croydon Inc.

Coffee for a Cause

During October Viaggio Café (a premium café in the Sydney International Terminal’s food court) raised funds for National Breast Cancer Month by donating 25 cents from every cup of Vittoria Coffee sold to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Viaggio sold 22,151 cups of coffee, resulting in a total donation of $5,538 – well above our target of $5,000. Viaggio Café would like to thank its excellent baristas for supporting and promoting this initiative, and Vittoria Coffee, for their kind donation of coffee beans.

Maddy's "Clip for Compassion and Cure"

My name is Madeline Howlett, I am 10 years old. On 23rd July, 2009 I had my hair clipped really short to a "Number 3". I was a bit nervous and my palms were really sweaty, but I just thought to myself, "It's only hair and it will grow back". I also kept thinking about my cousin who has breast cancer right now and about all the people that we might be able to help by raising money to help find a cure. I was so excited to see my cousin at the hairdressers, as she came to surprise me. My family and friends were also there to support me, which was really nice.

My hair was plaited first, and then Wayne and Tracy cut off all the plaits before my hair was clipped all over. I asked my cousin to hold the first plait and I asked my friends to stand in front of the mirror so I couldn't see. When I did see my new hair, I screamed really loudly with surprise! After having long hair, my hair felt really weird! My Mum posted my hair to the wig makers, so I hope someone with cancer gets to wear a wig made out of my hair.

On 24th July, we had "Pink Day" at my school, Hillcrest Christian College. I had my hair sprayed pink for the day and the whole day was awesome! The primary school kids were allowed to wear pink and everyone who wore pink donated a gold coin. At recess and lunch we set up a stall selling pink cupcakes, other pink treats and the NBCF wristbands. We managed to raise over $1200 on the day. There was pink everywhere and it looked so fantastic! - Maddy

We would like to thank the following people who all contributed to making Pink Day and Maddy's "Clip for Compassion and Cure" such a success.

Firstly we would like to thank the wonderful Hillcrest Christian College community for supporting Pink Day and to Maddy's friends who made posters and helped promote the day at school. To both Coles and Woolworths at Mudgeeraba, who kindly donated gift cards, which were used to purchase some of the ingredients required to make goodies for Pink Day, we thank you. To Tracy and Wayne from Ejiri Hair Studio in Mudgeeraba, thank you for clipping Maddy's Hair and hosting the event. Finally to all the beautiful people; family, friends and people we have never met, who so generously donated and left such warm and sincere messages of support on Maddy's fundraising page, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We hope the money raised will help to make a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients now and in the future. - The Howlett Family

To support Madeline, please visit: http://www.breastcancerfundraising.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=298497