Over 200 turned up to Margate’s Dru Point Centennial Park on Sunday for a two kilometre walk to raise funds for brain cancer research.
The second annual Walk4BrainCancer event in Tasmania raised over $25,000 for Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Australia’s largest dedicated charity for brain cancer research.
“This money will provide valuable funding for medical research to better understand, prevent and treat brain cancer,” Senator Bilyk said.
Senator Bilyk said that the large number of people who turned up for the cause demonstrated how many lives had been affected by brain cancer.
“While brain cancer is not as common as other forms of cancer, it is one of the deadliest,” Senator Bilyk said. “Brain cancer kills more Australians aged 18 to 40 than any other cancer and more Australian children than any other disease.
“As if this isn’t tragic enough, the survival rate for brain cancer has barely improved over the past twenty years, with only one in five patients surviving for five years after diagnosis.”
Senator Bilyk said that brain cancer receives little research funding despite its high contribution to cancer deaths in Australia, which is why it is important to support organisations like Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
The fundraiser was also supported by volunteers from the Rotary Club of D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
“I thank Rotary and the other hard working volunteers who helped to put this event together,” Senator Bilyk said. “I plan to keep working to build on the success of the first two Tasmanian Walk4BrainCancer events until I am no longer physically capable, or the world is rid of the disease, whichever comes first.”
Senator Bilyk, who survived two brain tumours in 2008, is the co-convenor of the Australian Parliament’s Brain Tumour Awareness Group.
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP IN THE SENATE SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
