Sydney, 12 May, 2017:  HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, is once again inviting Australians to join Team HCF on Sunday, 14 May at the Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic. For every person that joins the team, the health fund will donate $100 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, helping to raise vital funds towards breast cancer research.*

Team HCF at the Mother’s Day Classic is open to everyone – both HCF members and non-members – and the health fund will have a marquee on-site at the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth events where participants can get a celebratory photograph and relax with refreshments.

HCF hopes to raise awareness that breast cancer research still requires more support and funding, considering breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among all women in Australia, and one in eight Australian women will develop the disease in their lifetime.

“When it comes to conquering cancer, it takes the sum of all of us,” said HCF Chief Benefits Officer, Cindy Shay.

“We encourage everyone to join the fight against breast cancer. Just by walking with Team HCF at Mother’s Day Classic, you’ll be doing your part to work towards ending the threat of this disease, with HCF donating $100 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on your behalf. The event is open to people of all ages, and you can choose to walk or run at any pace you like.”

HCF is committed to finding solutions to real health challenges, ensuring a healthy future for all Australians. That includes supporting research about the disease that affects Australian women everywhere. Last year, Team HCF was proud to raise nearly $45,000, an effort it hopes to surpass this year.

National Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Officer Professor Sarah Hosking thanked HCF and said that the funds raised from Mother’s Day Classic play a huge role in accelerating life-changing breast cancer research.

“Every day in 2017, 44 Australian women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and eight women die from the disease, leaving countless families devastated . The only way to solve this is through targeted and robust research,” said Professor Hosking.

“HCF are committed, like us, to supporting vital research, and we couldn’t do it without their continued support and the support of our communities.”

By funding research to improve the way breast cancer is diagnosed, managed and treated and enabling those affected to live longer and better lives, the National Breast Cancer Foundation is working towards the goal of zero deaths by 2030.

To join Team HCF at the Mother’s Day Classic, sign up at hcf.com.au/MDC2017 and follow the hashtag #MDC2017 on social media.

The partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation is just one example of how HCF is helping drive a positive difference for a cause close to many people’s hearts. HCF supports long term health outcomes for their members and all Australians with programs such as HCF Catalyst (supporting health-technology start-ups) and the long standing HCF Research Foundation.
 

^{*Conditions apply, see www.hcf.com.au/mdc2017. Donations from HCF are capped at $100,000. Open to AU res. 18+. Ends 11.59pm AEST 31/5/17}

-ENDS-

Media inquiries to:

• Rebecca Hands
  Ph: (02) 9237 2817
  M: 0424 804 455
  E: rhands@buchanwe.com.au

• Sophia Brockman
  Ph: (02) 9237 2815
  M: 046 558 002
  E: sbrockman@buchanwe.com.au

Key Breast Cancer Facts: 

• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia 
• One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
• 17,210 women are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 in Australia, an average of 47 women every day. 
• 8 women die every day from breast cancer in Australia.
• Although rare, breast cancer can also affect men, accounting for about 1% of cases. Around 140 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each year. 
• National Breast Cancer Foundation has a goal to achieve zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.
• The five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is 90% but early detection is key. That’s why it’s important to stay vigilant with regular self- examinations and mammograms.
   

About HCF

HCF, leading not-for-profit health fund protecting Australians since 1932, covers over 1.5 million members with health and life insurance, community care, travel and pet insurance. On average over the last five years, HCF has paid out more cents in every dollar in premiums to members as benefits than the industry average. With over 35,000 specialists participating in its Medical Gap Cover Scheme and approximately 10,000 providers participating in its 100% back More for You programs, HCF gives members access to quality health care with no gaps or minimal costs compared to non-participating providers. To empower members to put their health first, HCF also offers a range of health and lifestyle services including its My Health Guardian health management program, mobile Victor Chang Health Checks and My Global Specialist second opinion service. HCF’s national network of retail outlets and Australian-based call centres have earned multi-award winning status. HCF members also have access to low cost, high quality services at HCF Dental Centres and HCF Eyecare Centres. Having contributed $50 million to support the health services research funded by the HCF Research Foundation, HCF is devoted to investing in the future of Australia’s health. To learn more about HCF go to hcf.com.au/about-us

About National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading community-funded organisation in Australia raising money for research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. In total, since 1994, NBCF has awarded more than $127 million to around 430 Australian-based research projects to improve the health and well-being of those affected by breast cancer. In 2016 NBCF has committed over $12 million to fund more than 30 research projects that will contribute towards our goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. nbcf.org.au

About the Mother's Day Classic
The Mother's Day Classic walk or run for breast cancer research was established in 1998 - it started from modest beginnings as a walk in the park and has grown into a major national community event. From the inaugural events in Melbourne and Sydney which attracted approximately 3,200 people the event has now become an integral part of Mother’s Day morning for more than 135,000 Australians who enjoy getting up early to walk or run and raise money for breast cancer research. In 2014, a record of 130,000 people across Australia ran or walked in a Mother's Day Classic event in eleven cities and 88 regional locations.
mothersdayclassic.com.au

i Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & Cancer Australia 2012. Breast Cancer in Australia: an overview. Cancer series no. 71. Cat no. CAN 67. Canberra: AIHW

ii ‘Facts and stats about breast cancer in Australia,’ National Breast Cancer Foundation website, accessed at: http://nbcf.org.au/about-national-breast-cancer-foundation/about-breast-cancer/what-you-need-to-know/