When women support women, anything is possible.
Invite ‘the girls’ round this spring for Girls’ Night In and join hundreds of others who are dedicated to supporting research into women’s cancers.
Like Amanda, who held her first Girls’ Night In fundraiser in 2008 to honour her mother’s breast cancer journey. Five years later, Amanda was still holding annual Girls’ Night Ins when her mother received a second breast cancer diagnosis in 2013.
“Fundraising seemed like a small effort to contribute to a big cause,” said Amanda of her ongoing commitment.
“Fundraising seemed like a small effort to contribute to a big cause,” said Amanda of her ongoing commitment.
Throughout spring, we’re encouraging women in Victoria to come together for a ‘girls’ night in’ and raise money for cancer research to kick women’s cancers out.
Every year more than 6,400 women will be diagnosed with a breast or gynaecological cancer. Our fabulous Girls’ Night In hosts have already helped provide over $1.6 million in funding for research into prevention, detection, and treatment of gynaecological cancers over the past decade.
Victoria is now on track to eliminate cervical cancer as early as 2035. Breast cancer survival rates are nearly 20 per cent better than they were 20 years ago. And we’re learning more about genetic risk factors to give women the early warning they need.
In a worldwide breakthrough in 2017, our very own epidemiologists helped find new genetic variants to explain why women with a family history have a higher risk of breast cancer. Working with 300 different institutions across six continents, researchers found 72 new genetic variants that predict the risk of developing breast cancer.
Such findings are incredibly important to people like Amanda who, in 2014, learned that she carries the BRCA-2 genetic mutation like her mother. This means she has an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. It also means she now has the early warning she needs to manage her health and have regular screenings.
“It was then that I decided to turn my annual Girls’ Night In event into ‘Pinktober,’” Amanda said. “I wear pink every day in October which creates a month-long opportunity to spread the word and fundraise every day.”
As a schoolteacher, Amanda’s students and colleagues have joined in over the years. She also uses social media to get her message across and attract donations.
“I have a very loyal group of supporters and enjoy spreading the word far and wide about donating to the Girls’ Night In fundraiser,” she said.
All up, Amanda has raised more than $20,000 to support women’s cancer research. And she’s one of many passionate supporters making a Girls’ Night In their own. From art auctions to yoga sessions, movie nights to high teas, big or small we’re humbled by the dedication of these amazing hosts who have embraced the event with full hearts.
Host a Girls' Night In
Let's lift women up and bring women's cancers down.
Learn more about hosting a Girls' Night In this spring.
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