Annual Report 2008–09 reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the act for over 40 years The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Working in the Australian Capital Territory to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer Cancer Council ACT Cancer Council ACT (the Council) is a non PROGRAMS AND SERVICES government, not-for-profit community organisation that aims to promote a Cancer Information Service healthier community by reducing the >> information on all aspects of cancer incidence and impact of cancer in the ACT >> Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 region. The Council depends largely on free publications and lending library the generosity of the ACT and surrounding >> community providing donations and Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program supporting fundraising initiatives. >> promotes cancer prevention behaviours and participation in appropriate early detection programs Memberships >> Smoking Cessation and Prevention Service – Quitline 13 7848 Cancer Council ACT, together with other member organisations in each state and – quit smoking courses and seminars territory, is a member of Cancer Council – The ACT Vulnerable Youth: Reducing Chronic Disease Risk Factors Project Australia. Through this membership >> SunSmart services the Council is a member of the Asian – National SunSmart Schools and SunSmart Early Childhood Program and Pacific Federation of Organisations for Cancer Research and Control; the – SunSmart workplace information sessions International Non-Governmental Coalition – Cancer Council ACT Shop Against Tobacco; and the International >> health promotion booths and information displays Union For Health Promotion and Education. Supportive Care Service Cancer Council ACT is also a member of >> facilitated support groups for people affected by cancer the International Union against Cancer (UICC). The UICC is an international non- >> wig service governmental association of more than 290 >> peer assistance volunteer service organisations in 90 countries. Its objectives are to advance scientific and medical Research Program knowledge in research, diagnosis, treatment >> funds cancer research and related projects in the ACT through annual research grants and prevention of cancer, and to promote >> undertakes cancer research all other aspects of the campaign against >> participates in other parties’ cancer research cancer throughout the world. Fundraising and Business Development Program >> 69.5% of Cancer Council ACT’s total gross revenue in 2008–09 was raised through donations, bequests and community events including the well known Daffodil Day, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and Relay For Life. PAGE 1 Contents 02 Strategic Plan 03 Report from President and Chief Executive Officer 05 Treasurer’s Report 06 Vale – Elizabeth Skilbeck 06 Cancer Council ACT Pathology Prize 07 Tobacco Control 09 The ACT Vulnerable Youth Reducing Chronic Disease Risk Factors Project – Live It Up! About this Annual Report 11 Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation This annual report provides details of Cancer Council 15 Cancer Prevention and Prudent Early Detection ACT activities, initiatives and achievements for the financial year ended 30 June 2009. 16 Cancer Council ACT Shop Approximately 250 copies of this comprehensive 17 Cancer Information Service report are printed and provided to key stakeholders 19 Supportive Care Service within Australia including other state and territory cancer organisations, government, Council members, 21 Research Program and other interested parties. The report is also 23 Fundraising and Business Development Program available on the website www.actcancer.org. 31 Other Activities The report is the major publication produced by Cancer Council ACT each year. It is used to provide 32 Organisational Chart readers with information about the Council’s performance during the year and indicate direction 33 Staff and Volunteers for the coming year. 38 Ottawa Charter Cancer Council ACT aims to make this report an 41 Financial Report accurate, informative and easy to read document. Your feedback and suggestions for improvement are welcome. If you have any comments, please contact Cancer Council ACT. Acknowledgments Cancer Council ACT would like to acknowledge Ms Hilary Wardhaugh for the photos of staff and Board members, and thank her for her much appreciated generosity. Patron of Cancer Council ACT His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE PAGE 2 cancer council act annual report 2008–09 Strategic Plan 2009 and Beyond Vision Dimension 1 d) For employers, and community infrastructure authorities to understand and support cancer The wellbeing of the broader Canberra preventing behaviours. community is enhanced as a result of health Dimension 1e) For health practitioners and allied health promotion actions which have reduced the providers to use evidence-based practices in supporting individuals to achieve healthy incidence and impact of cancer. behaviours. Dimension 1 f) For quality research into reducing the Strategies incidence of cancer to be supported. Strategy 1 Target Outcome 2: Reducing The Impact of Cancer Use the most appropriate evidence-based activities and tools Dimension 2 a) For people in the ACT affected by a cancer to ensure Cancer Council ACT realises its vision. diagnosis to have the negative impact of cancer minimised. Strategy 2 Dimension 2 b) For people in the ACT to experience a Maintain a portfolio of fundraising activities which engages reduction in the impact of cancer through those who share our vision by matching their capacity and prudent early detection and the provision of motivation to donate. appropriate services following diagnosis. Dimension 2 c) For cancer patients and their families to Strategy 3 have sufficient information and skill to Build and maintain a range of skills in Cancer Council ACT’s reduce anxiety and have a satisfactory level workforce which will enable it to deliver high quality services of control during their cancer experience. to its clients and customers. Dimension 2 d) For cancer patients and their families to have the negative impact of cancer Outcomes To Be Achieved minimised by legislation and public policy. Dimension 2 e) For cancer patients to have ready access Target Outcome 1: A reduction in the incidence to high quality, coordinated medical and of cancer ancillary cancer services. Dimension 1a) For people in the ACT, generally, to be Dimension 2 f) For cancer patients and their families to aware of the need to use cancer prevention have ready access to appropriate community strategies and be motivated to take support services. responsibility for changing their behaviour. Dimension 2 g) For health professionals to use evidence- Dimension 1b) For people in the ACT to be supported to based information as the basis for their practise healthy behaviours by appropriate treatment of cancer patients. legislation and public policy. Dimension 2 h) For quality research into reducing the impact Dimension 1 c) For related service providers such as of cancer to be supported. schools, early childhood centres, youth centres etc to understand and encourage and support healthy behaviours. PAGE 3 Ms Christine Brill, Ms Joan Bartlett, MBA, JP, CAE, President Chief Executive Officer Report from President and Chief Executive Officer 2008–09 Dear Members and Other Stakeholders Cancer Council ACT Service Information We take pleasure in providing you with the 33rd Annual Despite the global financial crisis, which has been of great Report of Cancer Council ACT. concern all over the world, and which history will always associate with the year 2008–09, we are pleased to report that the Council has increased its fundraising overall. The Cancer Council ACT Board Initiatives main driver for this seems to have been the introduction of This year the Board developed and accepted a new Strategic online registration for Relay For Life participants. Plan which can be found in this report. As a result our work has continued successfully, as this report The major piece of research to be funded in 2009–10 will be shows, in our focus areas of tobacco control, SunSmart, research into breast cancer in the ACT which has, variously, nutrition and physical activity, supportive care and research. had, over the past 10 years, the highest incidence and/or Some items of note re these programs follow. The apparent mortality in Australia. reduction in government funding can be attributed to the Council’s inability to spend the 2008–09 allocation for Live It The Board has been enthusiastically progressing the Up! due to staff vacancies. possibility of the Council being involved in providing accommodation for patients with cancer who need to access • The Council provided tobacco control programs to such a service in the ACT. increase the capacity of Winnunga Nimmityjah and the Mental Health Foundation ACT to educate their clientele. Looking to Cancer Council ACT’s long-term future, the Board • The ACT Quitline will be transferred to NSW from 1 July agreed that the eventual purchasing of our own building is 2009 to give clients access to a service operating for the best option. The Council would need to raise an extra, and more extended hours than Cancer Council ACT can offer. separate, $200,000 to be able to embark on this endeavour. The Quitline transfer to another state’s service is likely to be a permanent arrangement. Significant Government Initiatives 2008–09: ACT and Commonwealth • The Council successfully collaborated with the Heart Foundation ACT and Diabetes Australia ACT to stage • An integrated