Cancer Council SA’s commitment will complement the involvement in the 2009 Tour Down Under of cancer survivor and world champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, maximising cancer awareness and highlighting Cancer Council SA’s educational and cancer support messages.

Cancer Council SA Chief Executive, Associate Professor Brenda Wilson, said the partnership would allow the organisation to communicate sun-safety, tobacco, and cancer awareness and support messages to a wide audience, both internationally and across South Australia.

“Our association with the Tour Down Under provides an ideal vehicle to spread the word about cancer and healthy lifestyles. It will also allow us to raise important funds for the Helpline (13 11 20), which provides cancer information and support to thousands of South Australians each year” Associate Professor Wilson said.

“Not only do thousands of South Australians attend the Tour Down Under, but it is also beamed around Australia and the world, providing a great opportunity to tell the cancer story.

“Obviously next year’s event holds special significance with the participation of Lance Armstrong, who has been through a highly-publicised battle with cancer and we see this as providing Cancer Council SA fantastic leverage for its messages.”

The three-year agreement will increase the profile of Cancer Council SA, as well as offer the opportunity to benefit from the event’s fundraising program, including profits raised at the Lance Armstrong Corporate Dinner in January.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said the partnership with Cancer Council SA would have far-reaching benefits.

“The State Government is extremely proud to be working with Cancer Council SA as the charity partner for the Tour Down Under for the next three years,” Minister Lomax-Smith said.

“The partnership is extremely fitting for both the Government and Cancer Council SA. From a health perspective, Cancer Council SA can reach a massive audience during the event and the more South Australians we can educate about prevention, the better.”

Associate Professor Wilson said key health messages such as being SunSmart, being active and quitting smoking will be promoted to a captive audience and help to reduce the impact of cancer in South Australia.

“The Tour Down Under will see thousands of people lining South Australian roads to see their cycling heroes,” she said.

“Just being able to remind the crowds to ‘slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’ is important, particularly given a recent federal government report which showed that 434,000 Australians will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer this year.

“This message, and other health prevention messages, will be heavily promoted during the Tour Down Under from next year onwards and we are looking forward to working with the event organisers and the State Government to spread the word.”

Cancer Council SA has launched an online fundraising campaign and is encouraging the community to get behind the cancer cause, with funds raised going to vital services such as Cancer Council’s Helpline.

Through registering online at www.cancersa.org.au participants have the opportunity to win prizes, such as VIP passes to the event, tickets to the Lance Armstrong VIP Dinner or a table to the Tour Down Under Legends Dinner.

Cancer Council SA is the state’s leading cancer charity and is ‘here to help’ all people, facing all cancers, through cancer research, prevention and support services..

For further information on the Cancer Council SA’s services and programs, visit www.cancersa.org.au or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.