Schools Against Cancer with the ACRF

What inspired the Schools Against Cancer initiative?

Schools Against Cancer is a call for Australian schools to take action in the search for the cures. Research is the only way to beat this terrible disease and we need your help to continue funding the fantastic cancer research that is happening in Australia!

The Schools Against Cancer initiative has been inspired by a much-loved and dearly missed maths teacher and father of five, Mr Fred Pham. Having been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, Fred set himself a challenge to raise $100,000 for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. Fred sadly passed away before he reached his goal but his fundraising legacy lived on when his students and members of the Vietnamese Student’s Association rallied together to meet Fred’s original target in his honour.

Why give to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation?

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) is dedicated to helping discover the treatments and cures for all types of cancer by funding world-class research in Australia.

Every dollar of every donation we receive (100%) go to cancer research. No donation dollars are used to fund administrative or operational costs. We are privately funded and rely entirely on generous Australian individuals, families, companies, community groups, and of course schools to continue funding break-through research in Australia.

What can you do to help?

We have provided some details below on key dates throughout the year to assist you in deciding when to hold your Schools Against Cancer fundraiser and what types of activities to conduct. Alternatively, you can hold your event at any time throughout the year and be as creative as you like.

February: Celebrate World Cancer Day!

Held on the 4th of February each year, World Cancer Day is designed to inspire people from all over the world to “do their part” in the fight against cancer.

Classroom Activities:

Design your own Cancer Awareness Ribbon. We can provide you with a template and we’ll upload photos of the best designs on our Website.
Enjoy a Mad Hat and Zinc Day to play it safe in the sun.

cancer fundraising with Schools Against Cancer

August: National Science Week

Held every year in mid-august, National Science Week is a chance for schools everywhere to celebrate science, and scientists working in Australia.

Classroom Activities:

Celebrate the incredible work of Australian scientists with a ‘Scientists & Superheros’ dress-up day.
Conduct balloon experiments using ACRF-supplied balloons. The ACRF can also provide a range of experiments that demonstrate the properties of electricity, magnetism and energy.