Lifecycle to raise awareness and funds

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, will tonight officially launch the Leukaemia Foundation's inaugural Lifecycle event which will be held in September to support the local ACT fundraiser for the foundation.

The event aims to increase awareness of blood cancers, including leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas, and to raise funds for research and a new home to accommodate visiting patients and staff.

"It is estimated that every two hours, someone loses their life to one of these forms of blood cancer, which can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time," the Chief Minister said.

"In 2012, around 11,500 people will be diagnosed with a blood cancer, and this number is expected to increase significantly over time," the Chief Minister said.

Lifecycle is a bike relay event that will be held over a 48 hour period between 6pm on Thursday, 13 September and 6pm on Saturday, 15 September, when cyclists will ride around Lake Burley Griffin to complete loops, either individually or in teams.

The Leukaemia Foundation, which has been active since 1975, relies on the ongoing generosity of businesses and the community to support their important work.

"The ACT Labor Government is committed to providing services and supporting people with cancer. In the 2011/12 budget, the ACT Government has provided an additional $4 million over four years to help meet continuing and rising demand for cancer care," the Chief Minister said.

"Blood cancers and related blood disorders change lives forever and, with few clearly identified risk factors and sometimes no real warning, the impact is immense for the person concerned and their loved ones.

"I look forward to a successful Lifecycle event in September and encourage Canberrans to get behind the Leukaemia Foundation's initiative," Chief Minister concluded.