Record 97 locations around Australia for Mother's Day Classic

March 24, 2014

MEDIA NOTE:  Inspiring breast cancer stories from around Australia are available to the media.  Please contact Kathryn Britt on 0414 661 616 to arrange interviews/photographs.

Australia's largest Mother's Day event makes a difference for breast cancer

Women in Super Mother's Day Classicis Australia's largest breast cancer research fundraiser, and organisers are encouraging people to get on board for the Sunday May 11 event in the fight against a disease that impacts one in 8 women.

Registrations are open now, find the event nearest you at www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/events.

This year there will be a record 97 events around Australia - in every capital city as well as regional and rural locations in every state and territory, from Ararat (Vic) to Yamba (NSW), from Karratha (WA) to Weipa (Qld).

In 2013, a record $5 million was raised by 135,000 supporters who took part in the event around Australia.

In 2014 a major milestone will be celebrated - the event, which began in 1998, will pass the $20 million mark in funds it has raised for the National Breast Cancer Foundation's research program. This research has had a real impact on survival statistics and has also helped answer research questions for a range of other cancers.

Mother's Day Classic national chair, Louise Davidson, said as well as funding research, taking part in Mother's Day Classic was also a wonderful way to show support and solidarity to those in the community dealing with breast cancer.

"Participants will tell you there is something special about the atmosphere at the Mother's Day Classic, whether you attend a huge capital city event or a small community gathering," Ms Davidson said.

Make Mother's Day, May 11 2014, memorable - register and fundraise

Mother's Day Classic is all about raising awareness and honouring those impacted by the disease, as well as funding vital research into treatment, detection and prevention.

"The more funds we raise, the faster a cure can be found. So instead of just registering this year, why not fundraise? Funding research is a great investment in the future," Ms Davidson said.

Major sponsor ME Bank is offering the ME Bank Inspiration Award to fundraisers. Raise $100 or more through online fundraising and you’ll be invited to take part and you could win $5,000 for a person who inspires you and $500 for yourself, in an ME Bank EveryDay Transaction Account with Pink Debit MasterCard*.

Since the event began in 1998, Mother's Day Classic has become the largest funder of National Breast Cancer Foundation research.

In that time, 5 year survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer have increased to 89%.

Despite these advances, on average 7 Australian women die each day from breast cancer. With research, more can be done.

"Mother's Day Classic is a celebration of spirit and hope that together we can contribute to making breast cancer history," Ms Davidson said.

To register, donate or volunteer go to www.mothersdayclassic.com.au

For media information, including access to interviews and photographs with a range of
newsworthy MDC participants of all ages around Australia, contact:

Kathryn Britt

National Media Manager

0414 661 616

kbritt@mothersdayclassic.com.au

Organised by: Women in Super (WIS) is a national organisation of women working with and for not-for-profit superannuation funds. WIS cares about the health of women as well as their financial wellbeing and in 1998 established Mother’s Day Classic, an event which has become the single largest donor to the NBCF.

Major sponsor:ME Bank has proudly supported the Mother’s Day Classic since 2005. ME Bank also supports the NBCF through its EveryDay Transaction Account with PINK Debit MasterCard™. For every purchase a customer makes using their Pink Card, ME Bank donates 1 cent to support breast cancer research projects.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF):  is the leading community-funded organisation in Australia raising money for research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. Since NBCF was established in 1994, more than $105 million has been awarded to fund 370 research projects to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by breast cancer. For more information, visit www.nbcf.org.au