Eight grants totaling over $840,000 have been awarded to increase equity for people in population groups with poorer cancer outcomes.
The Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Senator Malarndirri McCarthy announced the Supporting people with cancer grants today, including three directly aimed at reducing the impacts of cancer on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The remaining five grants will fund a range of community organisations to support priority groups affected by cancer around Australia.
The Supporting people with cancer grant initiative is an annual grants program that funds community organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to better support people affected by cancer at a community level.
Since its inception in 2005, 137 grants totalling $11.55 million have been funded through this initiative, with funded projects attracting over $9 million in contributions from grant recipients and served communities.
The community programs will support locals including through screening, early detection, cancer prevention and care management nationally and in regional and remote communities.
For more information, visit Cancer Australia’s website: Supporting people with cancer Grant initiative
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.
“The grants will help dedicated organisations around the country deliver lifechanging services and care for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians living with cancer.”
“Cancer is an incredibly difficult experience for patients and their families which is why it is so important local organisations are equipped to tackle inequities and meet the needs of their community, including in remote and regional centres”
“We know the profound difference these community-based projects can make in the lives of individuals impacted by cancer, and the enduring positive effect they can have.”
Quotes attributable to Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe:
“I congratulate all the successful 2023 Supporting people with Cancer grant recipients whose projects support priority groups around Australia.”
“Priority population groups experience disparities in cancer outcomes compared to the broader population. Addressing these disparities and promoting equity is a top priority for us.”
“Achieving equity in cancer outcomes will be a fundamental measure of success for the soon to be released Australian Cancer Plan, which has a goal of improving cancer outcomes for all people.”
The eight grant recipients are:
|
Organisation |
Summary |
Location |
|
ACON Health Limited |
LGBTQ+ Cancer Information Resource project will create an information resource for LGBTQ+ people with cancer including families and friends. |
National |
|
Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service: Albury and Wodonga |
Yarnin’ for Cancer Waluwin project will increase access to and provide a culturally safe cancer prevention and management services that is coordinated by Aboriginal clinical staff. |
New South Wales |
|
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC): Ballarat |
BADAC Aboriginal Art Calendar – cancer screening project will develop and distribute a 2024 calendar, highlight and promote cancer screening in each month to aligning with Cancer Council screening months. |
Victoria |
|
Camp Quality |
Addressing the gap: cancer education for children and young people aged 12-15, in partnership with Canteen, the creation of a film will dispel common misunderstandings about cancer and provide a shared language to school communities that facilitates and supports conversations about cancer and its impact. |
National |
|
Cancer Council Tasmania |
Transport 2 Support: Improve access to evidence-based support care services for rural Tasmanians project will increase the equity of supportive CARE Services for Tasmanians impacted by Cancer enabling regional settings to access evidence- based treatment which complement their clinical treatment plans. |
Rural and Regional Tasmania |
|
Melanoma Patients Australia |
Bridging the Great Melanoma Divide project will develop and deliver a patient focused, targeted support and information program that addresses the unique unmet needs of Australians with melanoma from regional and rural communities. |
National |
|
Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation |
The Yorga’s Nyininy Wangkiny (Woman Sitting Talking) and Marmun’s Nyininy Wangkiny (Men Sitting Talking) Cancer Prevention and Support” project will deliver Aboriginal community cancer prevention and education events in Perth and the Wheatbelt. |
Western Australia |
|
Sisters’ Cancer Support Group Inc. |
“Culturally Appropriate Cancer Health Improvement” program for new CALD immigrants residing in Illawarra aims to co-design and deliver culturally appropriate, evidence-based intervention program for three new arrival CALD community groups affected by cancer residing in Illawarra region. |
New South Wales |
Media enquiries:
Cancer Australia - Nellie Blundell, 0438 209 033 or Nellie.Blundell@canceraustralia.gov.au
McCarthy office- Jamal Ben Haddou 0417 387 775 or Jamal.BenHaddou@aph.gov.au