The group has been established in 2018 by uterine cancer survivor, Phillipa Challis OAM, to operate as the Geelong Region Cancerians supporting the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Phillipa believes raising awareness of its symptoms as well as raising funds for research into new treatments will increase the survival rate for those diagnosed, citing uterine cancer as being the fifth most common cancer diagnosis for women in Australia.
Committee

Phillipa Challis OAM

Helene Bender OAM

Michelle Challis

Tim Birchall

Deb Fribbins

Mitchell Saffin

Maureen O'Keeffe

Gavin Seidel

Andy Pobjoy

The Geelong Region Cancerians Founding Committee, 2018
L-R: Luke Outerbridge, Michelle Challis, Deb Fribbins, Helene Bender OAM, Phillipa Challis OAM, Beryl McMillan OAM, Alison McLeod, Tim Birchall, Gavin Seidel
Events
Thanks to our major Annual Giving donors
Every donation helps! We’d especially like to thank Lake Imaging, Gforce and Mindwerx for their donations contributing to our 2020 Annual Giving campaign.
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IN THE NEWS
Our 2020 Annual Giving campaign was featured in the local news:
Our annual giving story in the Geelong Independent — if you missed the printed edition on 24 July 2020, you can read the article on their website: https://geelongindy.com.au/news/24-07-2020/boost-for-cancerians/
Pictured are Lake Imaging Geelong’s Nikki Herman and Annette Bongiorno. Photo credit: Geelong Independent / Louisa Jones.
GRC Chair Helene Bender OAM was recently interviewed by Mitchell Dye on Pulse FM 94.7’s “Mitchell’s Front Page” program. Listen to the interview here (or click the graphic below):
Past Events
Annual Giving 2020
Working together we can help beat cancer
Through to December 2020
The Geelong Region Cancerians was launched April 2018 in response to the desire of our Founder Phillipa Challis OAM to give back to the community after becoming a Uterine Cancer survivor in 2017.
Her aim to raise awareness of cancer detection while raising funds that support research for uterine cancer and all other cancers has become our mission. The vision for the future of the Geelong Region Cancerians also includes the education and dissemination of information about the warning signs of Uterine Cancer and other cancers.
Our involvement with ACRF is history-making, as Geelong is the first regional city in Victoria to have been formed and be affiliated with Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF). Their message that ‘together we can outsmart cancer’ is one we have embraced.
ACRF is the only charity in Australia dedicated to ending all forms of cancer by exclusively funding cutting-edge technologies, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that researchers and clinical teams need to fast-track discoveries and new treatments.
Since its formation in 1984 ACRF has provided $159.8 million in 75 grants to 42 institutes, hospitals and universities around Australia. Of these ACRF Grants $44.7 million has been provided to research institutes, hospitals and universities in Victoria.

2020 Online Silent Auction
9th to 20th November 2020
FIFTEEN fabulous items were generously donated for our 2020 Online Silent Auction. Bidding was open from Monday 9th November until Friday, 20th November 2020.
2020 Grand Final Week Celebration
Just like the Grand Final having a change of venue, our friends at the Piano Bar are also receptive to change. The Geelong Region Cancerians Grand Final Week Celebration is on again, and is being held in the Piano Bar marquee at the Geelong Racing Club this year.
Date: Sunday 18th October 2020
Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Cost: (SOLD OUT) $38 per person, includes grazing platters from SteamPocket catering, drinks at bar price, fabulous musical entertainment and a football panel discussing who will win the Brownlow Medal and which team will be 2020 Premiers.
Dwayne Russell, a former Geelong Cats player and media personality, together with Tom King, a broadcaster, commentator and the editor for football at Geelong’s home of footy: K-Rock, will openly discuss the 2020 season and give their prediction.

There will be a raffle on the day with excellent prizes. All money raised will be donated to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
This event is being generously hosted by Piano Bar owner Andy Pobjoy, who is also a Geelong Region Cancerians committee member.
Silver Circles Fundraiser
Since the opportunity to gather for a large fundraising event is not possible due to COVID-19 social distancing, the Geelong Region Cancerians came up with a novel way to raise funds — SILVER CIRCLES.
The Silver Circles fundraiser is based on the Super 66 numbers drawn each Saturday night for 10 weeks from September 5 2020, with only 100 tickets available.
Each ticket has 30 chances over the 10 weeks. The PRIZES each week are 1st ($50), 2nd ($30) and 3rd ($20). If you buy multiple tickets you have multiple chances each week as winning tickets go back into the draw. Tickets are $20 each.
The Geelong Region Cancerians thanks everyone who has supported us with this fundraiser. Participation helps Geelong Region Cancerians raise awareness and funds that support research for uterine cancer and all other cancers supporting Australian Cancer Research Foundation a registered charity with ACNC.
2020 Routleys Pie Drive
Due to COVID-19 social distancing our annual Trivia Night fundraiser became our Routleys Pie Drive.
All of the sales profits from the range of Routleys most popular products offered in our Pie Drive will be included in our annual donation to Australian Cancer Research Foundation for cancer research.
Routleys family-owned bakery is the best wholesale bakery in Geelong, and has been making Pies & Cakes for over 60 years. They have perfected their delicious recipes over a long time.
Thank you for your support.
Please see our Archived Events page for our past events prior to the ones shown above.
Awareness Bulletin
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PREVIOUS EDITIONS
Awareness Bulletin #11 – October 2020
Awareness Bulletin #10 – August 2020
Awareness Bulletin #9 – July 2020
Awareness Bulletin (Special CV#2 Edition) – May 2020
May 2020 CROSSWORD ONLY page (.docx Word format)
Awareness Bulletin (Special CV#1 Edition) – April 2020
April 2020 CROSSWORD ONLY page (.docx Word format)
Awareness Bulletin #8 – March 2020
Awareness Bulletin #7 – December 2019
Awareness Bulletin #6 – August 2019
Awareness Bulletin #5 – June 2019
Awareness Bulletin #4 – December 2018
Awareness Bulletin #3 – August 2018
Awareness Bulletin #2 – June 2018
Awareness Bulletin #1 – April 2018
Donations
Annual Giving Campaign
To give to our 2020 Annual Giving campaign, please refer above to the Events section of our page or click this button:
This is a final call for contributions: our 2020 Annual Giving Campaign closes on Monday 7th December at 5pm.
Donations to support research would be greatly appreciated
Name: Geelong Region Cancerians
BSB: 633 000 Account Number: 162 560 007
Please notify our secretary by email at info@geelongregioncancerians.com.au of your EFT transaction.
Donation Canisters
Out and about and wish to donate? Our collection canisters can be found at the following locations. We thank each of these businesses for showing their immense support for the Geelong Region Cancerians
Australia Post
110 Shannon Avenue, Manifold Heights
Blue Illusion
2/184 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Bakers Delight Geelong West
159 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Bumble Bee Eatery
1/63 Vines Road, Hamlyn Heights
Community Care Chemist
1/84 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Community Care Chemist
71-75 Separation Street, North Geelong
Curves Drysdale
8/21 Clifton Springs Road, Drysdale
Lake Imaging
East Court, 313 Ryrie Street, Geelong
Lucy Locket’s 261 Café
261 Myers Street, Geelong East
minkind
1A Minerva Road, Herne Hill
P & G Café
20 Bellerine Street, Geelong
Piano Bar
26 Malop Street, Geelong
The Bungalow Restaurant
32 High Street, Drysdale
Westcoast Hair & Beauty Supplies
53 West Fyans Street, Newtown
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