September is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and The Lott is proud to support some of the Aussie organisations improving outcomes for children diagnosed with the aggressive disease. 

Sadly, cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease, and Australia continues to have one of the highest rates of childhood cancer in the world.

An average of 750 children aged up to 14 years is diagnosed with cancer each year. Of these, almost half (48%) are under the age of five. Our goal is to promote the wonderful work of our partners, who continue to make a difference in this space. 

This week, we highlight the work that both My Room Cancer Charity and Childhood Cancer Association are doing to support children and families facing their cancer journey in Victoria and South Australia.  

My Room Cancer Charity 

My Room is a Victorian volunteer-run organisation that’s been dedicated to increasing the survival rate of childhood cancer for over 25 years. 

During this time, it’s raised more than $20 million for research, clinical care, family support, and improving the quality of life for children with cancer.My Room has a straightforward goal: working towards a 100% cure rate for children with cancer. 

For the past two years, The Lott has donated $100,000 to My Room as part of its fundraising telethon with Channel 9’s Grand Final Footy Show. In 2020, the show raised over $2 million.

My Room Chairman Maurizio Marcocci said he thanked everyone who continued to support their organisation.

“We will now forge forward to ensure that we get this money where it is needed. The children will get the best treatment they deserve in this country and support them on their journey. 

“Together, we are definitely making a difference.”

The annual Footy Show Grand Final Eve: My Room Telethon returns at 7.30pm on Friday, 24 September on Nine and 9Now. Find out more here.

Childhood Cancer Association  

The Childhood Cancer Association is focused on ensuring South Australian families living with cancer receive the support they need by providing counselling, accommodation, tutoring, and child-minding services to families throughout their child’s treatment. 

Association Chief Executive Cath O’Loughlin says the past twelve months have been the hardest she has ever faced in her role due to the onset of COVID-19 restrictions.

“With the majority of fundraising events cancelled at the time the pandemic hit, we estimated a shortfall of more than 50% of the revenue needed to keep our vital services going,” Cath said. 

“The challenges we had to overcome to provide essential support services to families in need, when the effects of COVID-19 created a surge in demand for our services, meant we had to get creative.

“The $50,000 donation from The Lott came at just the right time, as we needed to adapt quickly to meet restrictions and change our counselling programs from being face-to-face services to a telehealth model.

Childhood Cancer Association is also a partner with Play for Purpose, Australia's not-for-profit community raffle made possible by The Lott. Find out more about how you can support them and go in the draw to win great prizes here.