February 9, 2010
South Australians heeded calls by Cancer Council SA to ‘Unite in the Fight’ during last month’s Santos Tour Down Under donating $100,000 to boost local cancer services.
As the official charity partner of the race, Cancer Council SA’s ‘Unite in the Fight’ campaign was underpinned by an online fundraising initiative targeting cycling enthusiasts, including individual riders and teams participating in the 2010 Mutual Community Challenge Tour.
Cyclists registered their involvement at http://www.uniteinthefight.com.au/ where they set up personalised web pages for friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor their ride and raise vital funds for cancer.
The highest individual fundraiser was young father Nick Lee, who managed to raise $19,230 in honour of his wife Jodi’s two-year battle with bowel cancer. Sadly, Jodi passed away last month just prior to Nick’s 160km fundraising ride from Norwood to Goolwa.
The highest fundraising team was Skoda Australia, which raised $11,365 after a host of staff members banded together to sign up for the cause. The company’s generosity extended further after it donated the prizes it won for its fundraising efforts back to Cancer Council SA. As a result, 10 tickets to the Tour Down Under Legends Dinner were distributed to doctors and nursing staff who look after people with cancer, while 30 tickets to a corporate box at Stage 6 of the race were given to regional cancer patients and their families staying at Cancer Council SA’s accommodation lodges whilst undergoing cancer treatment in Adelaide.
Cancer Council SA applauded the fundraising efforts of individuals and teams who registered to ‘Unite in the Fight’ to beat cancer and turned their Mutual Community Challenge Tour ride into something truly meaningful.
“Cancer Council SA congratulates everyone who took up the challenge to ‘Unite in the Fight’ and raise money for cancer research and vital support services such as the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20,” Cancer Council SA Chief Executive, Professor Brenda Wilson said.
“We also acknowledge the magnificent support of the South Australian public, which once again donated generously for such a worthy cause.”
Cancer Council SA is the state’s leading cancer charity and is ‘here to help’ all people, facing all cancers, through cancer research, prevention and support services.
For further information on Cancer Council SA’s services and programs, visit http://www.cancersa.org.au/ or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
