Julijana Trifunovic Save The Box Interview

Julijana Trifunovic Save The Box Interview

September 1st is the start of International Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, Australian Not-for-profit organisation -Save The Box' are leading the wave of advocacy and awareness around Gynaecological Cancer- an area of cancer that is under-resourced, often dismissed and considered taboo.

Whilst survival rates across all cancers have improved by 19% over the past 25 years, the relative survival rate for all gynaecological cancers has only improved by 8%.

-Save the Box' is a gynaecological cancer awareness and fundraising campaign driven by The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), which aims to raise funds for research and break the stigma around talking about female gynaecological health and cancers, issues which affect all Australian's mothers, daughters, sisters, everyone.

Women of all ages are affected by the 7 gynaecological cancers; however, some high-risk factors are:
increasing age
reproductive history such as child-bearing
having a strong family history
identified gene mutations
exposure to hormones – natural or medicated
exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the womb
viral infection such as human papilloma virus (HPV)
lifestyle factors such as smoking and those leading to excess body weight

To help Save the Box raise funds for critical research, Australians can take part in the 7-day Money Box Challenge during September. Fundraisers will receive a Save the Box money box delivered to their door, which will be filled by their family, friends or colleagues to support the challenge and help raise much needed funds for research. 100 percent of funds will go towards gynaecological cancer research.

Check out this video, with more information on YouTube.

ANZGOG Chair, Associate Professor Alison Brand says, 'Many people feel uncomfortable speaking about women's gynaecological health. The Box represents the preciousness of a woman's life. Gynaecological cancers are ending thousands of Australian women's lives every year. We need everyone's support".

'Research is the key to improving the lives of women with gynae cancer. Virtually every advance in cancer treatment has been made on the back of clinical trials," concludes Ms Brand.

More information: www.savethebox.org.au

Interview with Julijana Trifunovic, Manager – Campaigns and Events at ANZGOG

Julijana was a paediatric oncology nurse before working in the not for profit sector. She has been a fundraiser for over 20 years managing major fundraising and events campaigns. Julijana's role is to manage and execute the Save the Box campaign to help raise funds for gynaecological cancer research.

Question: What is Save The Box?

Julijana Trifunovic: The Save the Box campaign is an Australian initiative from the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) to raise much needed funds and awareness for research into gynaecological cancers.


Question: What inspired the Save The Box initiative?

Julijana Trifunovic: Gynaecological Cancer was not talked about. Women are not comfortable about talking about their private parts. It was difficult to get the word out there about the subject of gynae cancers.


Question: Where do the funds raised by Save The Box go?

Julijana Trifunovic: 100% of the funds raised go to research into gynaecological cancers.


Question: What are the gynaecological cancers?

Julijana Trifunovic: There are seven in total. Ovarian, Cervical, Uterine (Endometrial being the most common) vagina, vulva and 2 rare pregnancy cancers.

Question: What are the risk factors of these gynaecological cancers?

Julijana Trifunovic: Although the causes of many gynaecological cancers are not fully understood, there are a number of factors associated with the risk of developing one or more types of gynaecological cancer. These risk factors include
increasing age
having a strong family history
identified gene mutations
reproductive history, such as child-bearing
exposure to hormones – produced by the body or taken as medication
exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the womb
viral infection such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
lifestyle factors such as smoking and those leading to excess body weight.


Question: What do you hope to achieve this year with the Save The Box initiative?

Julijana Trifunovic: We hope to raise as much money as possible for research, put women on clinical trials and raise awareness of these cancers. We want women to know what to look out for and for women to listen to their bodies. We want women to take-action and break the silence about these cancers.


Question: How can Australians support the Save The Box initiative?

Julijana Trifunovic: They can go to the Save the Box website www.savethebox.org.au and take the Save the Box Money Box Challenge or give a donation. The can like our Facebook Page 'Save the Box' and Instagram @savetheboxnow #Savethebox

Question: What is the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG)?

Julijana Trifunovic: ANZGOG is the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation, with over 780 members conducting research in over 50 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.


Question: What's next for the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG)?

Julijana Trifunovic: ANZGOG recently merged with the Women's Cancer Foundation, which is extremely exciting and will be conducting 25 research projects over the next 12 months to find better treatments for women with a gynaecological cancer.


Interview by Brooke Hunter
Photos: Charlie Hardy