Questions for Tim:

1. Why did you decide to launch a cancer fund for children?
2. Do you have a personal cancer story, is that why you’re supporting cancer?
3. How much are you giving to the Tim Cahill Cancer Fund for Children?
4. Why did you choose Cancer Council when there are so many other children’s charities around?
5. What advice would you give to children about leading a healthy lifestyle and reducing cancer risk?

Questions for Cancer Council

1. Why has Cancer Council decided to be associated with Tim Cahill?
2. What’s the state of play when it comes to children’s cancer in Australia?
3. What are the most common forms of cancer for children?
4. How can children growing up reduce their risk of developing skin cancer?

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 Tim's Answers

 

1) Why did you decide to launch a cancer fund for children?

Working with children is something I am really passionate about. I’ve got three kids of my own and can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to see any of them going through cancer.

I know that Cancer Council makes a real difference to the lives of kids and their families. I just want to do my bit and help make sure that all kids are given the opportunity to grow up and live a happy, healthy and active life.

2) Do you have a personal cancer story, is that why you’re supporting cancer?

Like everyone, I’ve known people with cancer and seen the effects on their lives and families. I’ve got three kids and the thought that something like cancer could happen to them is terrifying. I wanted to do something positive to help those kids that are affected by cancer.

3) How much are you giving to the Tim Cahill Cancer Fund for Children?

This is an ongoing commitment that I have to Cancer Council. Our goal is to make $500,000 in the first two years and I’m personally contributing to that total.

I’m also lending my name and profile to the fund, so we can raise awareness of children’s cancer. It’s an ongoing commitment I have to Cancer Council, and I am looking forward to working with them more and more in the future to keep raising this awareness.

4) Why did you choose Cancer Council when there are so many other children’s charities around?

I’ve been involved with Cancer Council at a number of events and seen the great work that they do as the leading cancer charity in NSW.

I really like their commitment to a number of projects and programs devoted to children, such as:

• Funding for children’s cancer research
• Skin cancer prevention programs like SunSmart in schools
• Nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs, like Eat it to Beat It and campaigning around junk food advertising and tobacco control for children
• Support for young cancer patients and their families through online chat forums and the Cancer Council Helpline.
• And generally the important messages they give to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.

5) What advice would you give to children about leading a healthy lifestyle and reducing cancer risk?

Apart from not smoking, there are three key ways to reduce cancer risk:

• by maintaining a healthy body weight
• by being physically active every day
• by enjoying a healthy diet

We know that these factors can reduce risk in at least 30 per cent of all cancers.

Up to 80 per cent of overweight children will become overweight adults, so preventing weight gain in children is very important. Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer so it’s important to tackle this issue early on.

 Cancer Council's Answers

 

1) Why has Cancer Council decided to be associated with Tim Cahill?

Tim is an outstanding sportsman with a determined attitude. Our partnership with him can only help us to achieve our mission - to defeat cancer.

Cancer Council applies our immense strength to research, prevention, advocacy activities, and support for cancer patients and their families; however, no organisation will ever be able to defeat cancer alone, which makes our partnerships even more important.

2) What’s the state of play when it comes to children’s cancer in Australia?

Fifty years ago, only 5 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer survived. Today, thanks to breakthroughs in research funded by organisations such as Cancer Council NSW, nearly 80 per cent of children survive.

The reality is, one in every five children diagnosed with cancer still loses their life. And those who do survive often face an uncertain future, knowing their cancer could return or their health could be affected in the future.

3) What are the most common forms of cancer for children?

In 2005, the most common cancers in children were leukaemia (38%), followed by cancers of the central nervous system (15%), lymphoma (9%) and neuroblastomas (6%).
There were 181 cancers (106 in boys and 75 in girls) diagnosed in 2005 in NSW.

4) How can children growing up reduce their risk of developing skin cancer?

Cancer Council recommends 5 ways people can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer by:

1. Seeking shade.
2. Wearing protective clothing that covers your arms and legs and body.
3. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face and neck.
4. Wearing wrap-around sunglasses.
5. Applying SPF30+ broad spectrum water-resistant sunscreen every two hours.

Children and babies are at particular risk of sunburn and skin damage because of their delicate skin. Exposure to UV radiation during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

The good news is 95 per cent of melanomas can be treated if caught early, making it crucial that children develop SunSmart habits from an early age.