SENATOR BILYK URGES TASMANIANS TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER

Senator Catryna Bilyk is urging Tasmanians to help raise funds and awareness of brain cancer during International Brain Tumour Awareness Week. The Senator is also hosting Tasmania’s first ever Walk4BrainCancer event.

As a survivor of two brain tumours, Senator Bilyk said she wanted to do what she can to fight brain tumours and brain cancer to prevent others from having to suffer these diseases.

“Not only is brain cancer the biggest cause of cancer death for Australians under the age of 40—it kills more Australian children than any other disease,” Senator Bilyk said.

“Tragically, only 22 percent of Australians diagnosed with brain cancer will survive the disease after five years.”

In 2014, International Brain Tumour Awareness Week will be held from Sunday, 26 October – Saturday, 1 November.

“The Awareness Week is an opportunity to contribute to increased awareness about brain tumours so that the whole community can come together to fight this terrible disease,” Senator Bilyk said.

Senator Bilyk paid tribute to the International Brain Tumour Alliance, Brain Tumour Alliance Australia, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, the Cancer Council Australia and all the other organisations and medical professionals who have been working hard to support patients, their families and carers and to rid the world of brain cancer.

Senator Bilyk will mark the Awareness Week by moving a motion in the Senate on Wednesday recognising the impact of brain cancer and brain tumours in Australia, and by wearing a grey Awareness Ribbon and encouraging other Members and Senators to do the same.

At the end of the week, Senator Bilyk will be raising funds to fight brain cancer by hosting Tasmania’s first Walk4BrainCancer at Dru Point, Margate at 12 noon on Sunday, 2 November.

Walk4BrainCancer is a national event which helps raise funds for Cure Brain Cancer Foundation to fund brain cancer research.

Senator Bilyk said she had been overwhelmed with the support for the event with 71 people registering and over $6,500 in funds raised already.

To take part in Walk4BrainCancer visit Cure Brain Cancer Foundation’s website www.curebraincancer.org.au or register on the day.
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP IN THE SENATE