Women in Super’s contribution to breast cancer research in Australia has now topped $33.2 million with the presentation of a cheque for $2.8 million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Thursday evening.

The funds have been raised through the WIS Mother’s Day Classic event that has been staged across the country since 1998. In this year’s event 105,000 participants raised $2.8 million from 92 venues held across the country.

So widespread has participation in the Classic become that one competitor participated using a treadmill at the Australian Antarctic base at Mawson, MDC Foundation CEO Sharon Morris told The New Daily.

Breast cancer research is making significant progress with the disease, Ms Morris said.

“Money for research is having an effect with the five-year survival rate now at 90 per cent compared to 70 per cent when the Mother’s Day Classic started back in 1998,” Ms Morris said.

The Classic is a fun run where participants raise money for breast cancer research.

“It’s a walk or run event over four to eight kilometres,” she said.

“Some do the run then walk the course with their families then go back to a central entertainment area. After that they often go for a family lunch.

“Since 1994 the National Breast Cancer Foundation has raised $140 million, so Women in Super’s $33.2 million is a very significant contribution.”

NBCF CEO, Professor Sarah Hosking, acknowledged the support of the Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic over the years.

“Our vision at NBCF is to stop deaths from breast cancer and funds raised from Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic are vital to us reaching this goal,” said Professor Hosking.

“If you have supported Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic, you have raised funds for world-class breast cancer research which has increased our understanding about how breast cancer is diagnosed, managed and treated so that we can stop deaths and create a better tomorrow for those affected.”

Dr Normand Pouliot a researcher based at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Centre, and 2016 recipient of an MDCF research grant, believes improvements in breast cancer treatment come from innovation, and without research funding innovation stops.

“Innovation and more effective treatment can only come from the translation of basic research ideas. Without research, it is unlikely that any significant improvement in breast cancer treatment will be achieved,” Dr Pouliot said.

Women in Super is a national member organisation consisting of women working in the superannuation and related financial services industries. Its Mother’s Day Classic has become the single largest donor to the NBCF.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation is the only national body that funds breast cancer research with monies raised entirely by the Australian public.

NBCF research has helped develop better therapies, greater understanding of possible ways to stop the spread of breast cancer to other areas, and improved quality of life for patients and their families.

Since its establishment in 1994, NBCF has awarded more than $140 million to around 470 Australian-based research projects to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by breast cancer.

*The New Daily is owned by industry super funds