Honour Her Fundraising Auction

Renowned Australian artists help fund life-saving research for International Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, 1 – 30 September 2021

5 women die every day from a gynaecological cancer in Australia

Australians will have the chance to purchase a powerful work of art from acclaimed artists to help fund life-saving gynaecological cancer research in the very first Honour Her art auction and virtual gallery, during International Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month this September.

Launching 17^th September for 10 days, the Honour Her online auction will feature exclusive works by well-known artists with 50 per cent of the proceeds directly funding pioneering gynaecological cancer research through not-for-profit WomenCan and 50 per cent supporting the artists for their contribution.

The list of over 30 artists includes some of the nation's most exciting in-demand artists, Archibald and art prize finalists including Kathrin Longhurst, Loribelle Spirovski, Kirsty Neilson, Maggi McDonald, Jasmine Mansbridge, Belinda Street, and Dina Broadhurst.

"18 Australian women will be told they have a gynaecological cancer every day and survival rates are much lower than other cancers – but we know that with innovative research, life-saving discoveries become possible," explains Karen Livingstone AM, WomenCan's Head of Fundraising and Development.

Honour Her is also an opportunity for some of the artists to honour loved ones including award-winning Sydney artist Pamela Honeyfield who is honouring her mother's best friend who passed away from ovarian cancer and established Melbourne-based artist Jason Roberts' who is honouring his aunt who passed away from cervical cancer.

"Gynaecological cancers are the third most common cancers in women, but due to vague symptoms they can be difficult to diagnose and currently only one of them (cervical cancer) has a vaccine and screening test," says Associate Professor Philip Beale, Medical Oncologist and ANZGOG Chair. "More funding is urgently needed to develop treatments that will help women affected by all gynaecological cancers to live better, longer lives."

Alongside the online auction, the Honour Her virtual gallery will run from 1^st -30th September featuring one-of-a-kind collectible works from established, community and emerging artists available for a set price of just $150, with all proceeds funding state-of-the-art research into the causes, prevention and treatments of all gynaecological cancers.

Karen Livingstone AM states "We urgently need additional funding for gynaecological cancer research, but this campaign goes far beyond simple fund-raising – it is also an initiative to open and continue conversations about these cancers and create a better understanding of women's experiences."

"Honour Her hopes to highlight the courage and determination of women living with gynaecological cancers, and the hope and innovation offered by ongoing, cutting-edge research and clinical trials," explains Associate Professor Philip Beale .

To purchase a powerful artwork that will make a real difference to the lives of 18,000 women living with gynaecological cancer, visit www.honourher.org.au.

Honour Her is an initiative of WomenCan, a not-for-profit fundraising for vital pioneering research conducted by the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG).

#PioneeringNewDiscoveries

THE GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER FACTS

• Gynaecological cancers are cancers of the female reproductive system. There are seven types which consist of Ovarian (fallopian), Uterine (endometrial), vulval, vaginal, cervical and two rare pregnancy related cancers.
• Out of the seven gynaecological cancers there is currently only a screening test or vaccine available for one; cervical cancer
• This year 6500 Australian women will be diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.
• FIVE women die every day in Australia from a gynaecological cancer
• While 91% of women survive breast cancer five years after diagnosis, this number drops to 46% for women with ovarian cancer

ABOUT WOMENCAN

Our mission is to engage the community to fund pioneering discoveries that will enable women with a gynaecological cancer to live better and live longer. We support the peak national research group, ANZGOG, by funding their programs to improve life for women with a gynaecological cancer.

www.womencan.org.au 

ABOUT ANZGOG

The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), is the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation and is recognised as a world leader in clinical trials research. ANZGOG's research has changed clinical practice both locally and globally. It has over 1150 professional members - surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, laboratory researchers, nurses and trial coordinators. ANZGOG collaborates with universities, cancer organisations and over 56 hospitals to conduct its clinical trials. It was established in 2000 by a network of dedicated gynecological cancer specialists and researchers who wanted women with gynaecological cancer to have the same opportunities for the latest treatments as women overseas.

www.anzgog.org.au