October is national Breast Cancer month. Each year, more than 21,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer. This disease touches almost every family in Australia – too many of us know a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, teammate or friend who has been affected.
At Hancock Prospecting and Hancock Iron Ore, supporting patients and driving progress in cancer care has been close to our hearts for decades. In the early 1990s, Mrs Gina Rinehart established Australia’s first dedicated breast cancer foundation and initiated our nation’s first National Breast Cancer Day. With the support of Archbishop Peter Carnley, dedicated church services were held across the country on the eve of National Breast Cancer Day, helping to grow a national movement of care, compassion and action.
During that time, Mrs Rinehart also organised a major petition that successfully lowered the age for breast cancer checks, given the importance of early detection. Over the years, Hancock Prospecting has continued to fund generous patient care packages and vital cancer research, with a focus on helping people when they need it most.
Pink has become part of who we are. From the world’s first fleet of pink mining trucks, each named in honour of a brave woman affected by Breast Cancer or someone who has contributed to the fight, to our world first pink trains, crushers and uniforms – these aren’t just colours on steel and fabric. They are daily reminders of support, encouragement and hope.
Mrs Rinehart’s known concern for breast cancer sufferers and her speeches touching upon breast cancer over decades, have helped to drive our culture of care and support for breast cancer sufferers amongst us. We are especially proud of the compassion shown by our staff, and their offers of assistance to support fellow staff members suffering from breast cancer. It is Mrs Rinehart’s hope that our companies example will encourage other companies and organisations, to do similarly. Through workplace giving, our staff also generously contribute to breast cancer support, with every donation matched – and exceeded – by the business. Our culture of care and support and giving is something we hope inspires many more companies and organisations across Australia.
In regional areas like the Pilbara, where access to treatment and assistance can be more difficult, we support Solaris Cancer Care. Their programs provide counselling, therapies and practical support that ease the burden for patients and families. Mrs Rinehart will visit the pilbara during the first half of national breast cancer month to announce our renewed multi-million-dollar commitment to Solaris, ensuring these vital programs can continue to grow, supporting the people who need it the most.
This October, let’s remember those we have lost, help those still fighting, and remind our loved ones that early detection saves lives. Together, we can continue working towards a better future for those suffering from breast cancer.
