Cancer Council Tasmania seeks increased government funding urgently

Tasmania's Cancer Council has helped over 2,000 people affected by cancer in the past year. The charity mainly relies on community donations for funding. It is now calling for more government support to meet the growing demand for its services. Anne Fullick is one person who benefited from the Cancer Council. She fought kidney and breast cancer and is now in remission. Anne found valuable support through the council, attending counseling and joining exercise classes and support groups. Cancer Council Tasmania's CEO, Alison Lai, highlighted the increasing number of people seeking help. She noted that the government has historically provided limited funding, about 13 cents for every dollar spent on programs. The charity faces uncertainty as a funding agreement is set to expire in June, and the government's revised budget is pushing for cuts due to rising debt. While the charity appreciates public donations, they have become less reliable due to cost-of-living pressures. Lai urged the Tasmanian government to prioritize funding for cancer prevention and support programs, emphasizing the need to stand by those fighting cancer. New data from the Tasmanian Cancer Registry shows a rise in cancer diagnoses. In 2020, there were 3,648 cases, and by 2022, that number had increased to 4,094. This reflects the urgent need for expanded services from the Cancer Council, which offers crucial support to those affected by cancer. The state government is currently working on a new strategic plan to enhance cancer care across Tasmania. This plan will address various aspects of cancer treatment and research and is expected to be completed this year.