Every day in Victoria, 98 people are diagnosed with cancer. That’s one person every 15 minutes.
We ensure that no Victorian has to face cancer alone. Our support services are free and 100% funded by generous supporters. We also fund life-saving cancer treatments and prevention programs.
As a Walking Star, every dollar you raise can have a life-changing impact on cancer patients and those around them.
Thanks to the money raised by Walking Stars in 2021, 15 Victorian research teams have embarked on ground-breaking new projects.
As a result of just one of these projects, cancer patients will be able to receive radiotherapy in a state-of-the-art radiotherapy chair, which can better target cancer cells and provide greater comfort You can read more about this ground breaking research here.
Here are some of the other incredible impacts you can make with your fundraising:
$60
can help pay for one hour of expert cancer nurse support via our 13 11 20 phone service.
$100
provides a free wig for one person experiencing cancer related hair loss.
$360
pays for the collection and processing of three blood samples that will enable us to discover more about how cancer develops.
By registering to be a Walking Star and creating a team with your friends and family, you will experience a unique Melbourne event that is bright, fun and above all, an inspiring way to support people facing cancer.
Lesley lost her brother Ted to pancreatic cancer in 2003. She participated in Cancer Council’s Relay for Life several times in Ted’s honour, and took part in Walking Stars for the first time in 2021. This year, she will be joined by her brother and his wife who will travel all the way from India to take part.
“It’s amazing how you walk down the street and people spur you on! So that’s what made us sign up for it again straight away,” Lesley said. “As long as I can walk, or if someone can push me in a wheelchair, I’ll keep being involved in Walking Stars…Hopefully, one day, if not for us then for our children, there’ll be a cure.”
Her advice for anyone doing the walk for the first time this year is to just keep going, and to think of the people you are walking for.
“When I walk, yes, my legs hurt, but I’m sure my brother never had that choice where his legs hurt – he’s gone. As long as you’re in pain, and you’re walking, you know you’re alive, which is something they never had the chance to choose.”
Read more about Lesley's story.
*Note: Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Funds are used to support programs including, but not restricted to, the ones described here.
