2023 has shown there are no limits to what can be achieved when people come together as a community with a shared goal. It is this collective spirit of hope that drives our efforts to tackle cancer. As part of the Cancer Council Victoria community, your support is making a difference every day to people with cancer.
Many Victorians faced new hardships in 2023, but despite these challenges you continue to respond with compassion and generosity, ensuring that no one has to face cancer alone.
While overall cancer survival rates are improving, some communities are disproportionately affected by the burden of cancer. Addressing the barriers to health care and support that lead to poorer cancer outcomes is vital to strengthening communities and improving the overall health of all Victorians.
Throughout 2023, with your support, we increased our efforts to address barriers to accessing cancer prevention, treatment, and care – whether social, cultural, or geographical. Thanks to you, we have expanded our outreach to regional communities, and to communities with diverse language and cultural backgrounds, reaching more people than ever before with life-saving health messages and services.
Now, after decades of significant progress restricting the influence of the tobacco industry, we’re disappointed to see dirty tactics employed to recruit a new generation of smokers through the marketing of e-cigarettes, or vapes, to teens. We have moved swiftly to push the government to introduce tighter controls to protect the public and vulnerable people from this predatory industry, as well as raising awareness of the dangers of e-cigarettes.
Over the last year I had the pleasure of meeting with people all over Victoria who are using their unique talents and passions to change the face of cancer. Tackling cancer takes all of us, which is why I am proud to shine a light on just some of the people who have come together in 2023 to reduce the impact of cancer. Whether you have poured cups of tea, volunteered in your local community, filled your home with daffodils, encouraged loved ones to Slip! Slop! Slap! or donated, you are transforming how we prevent, detect, treat, and care for cancer.
I am heartened to see the enduring strength of our community working together to support Victorians. Together, we will continue to strive for a future where a cancer diagnosis is no longer something to fear. Thank you so much for your support and I hope you enjoy reading about the impact you have helped achieve.
Todd Harper AM
CEO Cancer Council Victoria
