Cancer Council Victoria welcomes new SunSmart funding on Daffodil Day
28 August 2009
One million dollars in new funding announced today for a skin cancer prevention campaign in Victoria has been welcomed by Cancer Council Victoria, as volunteers work tirelessly throughout the state on Daffodil Day.
Cancer Council Victoria's Director of Community Relations and fundraising, Deb Stringer, said the Victorian Government has agreed to fund a new SunSmart campaign targeting young people.
"The funding will provide a huge boost to Cancer Council Victoria's work to minimize the human cost of skin cancer through the SunSmart program," Ms Stringer said.
"In 2007, 343 Victorians died from skin cancer - that's almost one person every day and more than Victoria's annual road toll."
"The Victorian Government is to be congratulated for its leadership in managing the impacts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is a key platform in the Victorian Cancer Action Plan. Today's funding contribution will allow us to take important steps forward in the prevention of skin cancer."
"Importantly this funding will help us to reach a key audience - adolescents and young adults. Young people in Australia have by far the highest incidence of malignant melanoma in the world, compared with adolescents in other countries. We also know that adolescents and young adults are less likely to take up general sun protection measures and suffer higher sunburn incidence on summer weekends, increasing their risk of skin cancer."
Ms Stringer said cancer is a leading cause of death in Victoria and Cancer Council Victoria urgently requires the support of the Victorian community.
"The Victorian Government is not alone in supporting the Cancer Council this Daffodil Day. Today, more than 4,500 volunteers around Victoria will help us raise $2 million by selling over 280,000 daffodils and 450,000 units of merchandise."
Daffodil Day plays a vital role in funding life-saving cancer research, prevention programs to help Victorians reduce their cancer risk and support services for people during their times of greatest need."
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