Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby) [11.19 a.m.]: I, too, acknowledge the group in the gallery today and welcome them to the New South Wales Parliament. Today I speak about an issue that I am sure is close to the hearts of many throughout the country—the insidious disease of cancer.
This year alone more than 100,000 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer. One in three females and one in two males will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they reach the age of 85. Cancer has a huge impact right across our community: on the services that we deliver as a government, on families and on everyone. If people have not been touched by cancer themselves the chances are that they will know someone who has. That is why I want to talk about the important work that is happening to raise much-needed funds to fight the battle against cancer so we can end it once and for all.
Cancer does not discriminate: it affects young or old, male or female, black or white, Catholic or Protestant. I am speaking about this issue because last year my father was touched by the disease when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I encourage all the men in the gallery and any men reading this private member's statement to have a check-up, because that is what saved my father. He had a check-up, the cancer was detected early and now he is cancer free. My father's story is not unique, but 20 years ago that diagnosis could have been a death sentence and I might have been telling a different story today. As a community we have come together to fight this disease and we have raised much-needed funding to tackle it head-on.
I acknowledge Annie Crawford, one person who played a particularly important role in raising funds to tackle cancer. Annie was the founder of Can Too, an organisation that provides fitness and health support and raises funds for Cure Cancer Australia. Since 2007, through Can Too, Annie raised more than $11.5 million and she changed many lives—not only those who have been saved by Can Too funded research but also the many people who participated in the Can Too programs and achieved fitness and lifestyle goals way past their expectations.
Can Too provides professional training in running, swimming and triathlon. In return, participants raise money for cancer research through Cure Cancer Australia. One hundred researchers have been funded through Can Too and many of them are making groundbreaking discoveries. Eight thousand people have participated in Can Too's programs and one of those participants is someone particularly special to me—Margaret-Anne Hayes, a constituent of mine. At 73 years old she is the oldest participant in the Can Too fitness program. Some people may have seen her on theToday program on television, which reported on her raising money by jumping out of a plane. Skydiving at 73 years of age—what a remarkable lady.
The work that Margaret-Anne is doing to raise much-needed funds for cancer continues. On 26 July she will host a fundraiser for cancer research at the Hornsby RSL Club in my community. Her aim is to raise $100,000 this year. Whether she is jumping out of planes, running or organising an old-fashioned country ball, which will be held at the Hornsby RSL Club, she is making a remarkable difference to the lives of so many. Today I pay tribute to all those people who are taking up the challenge in the battle against cancer, but particularly Annie Crawford, who recently was honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Annie reflects all that is good in our community. We all share the results of her generosity and selflessness through the work that she does and the difference that she has made to countless numbers of Australians because of her fundraising, her advocacy and her encouragement of people to go and get check-ups. I also acknowledge the wonderful work of Margaret-Anne Hayes, a tireless and dedicated worker for her cause. I wish her every success in the upcoming fundraiser at the Hornsby RSL Club and for the years ahead as she continues to take up the battle to fight this insidious disease.
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