Head and Neck Cancer Australia

24/06/2026

A huge thank you to Alanna Conn and everyone who took part in her incredible 24-hour rowing challenge, raising an amazing $5,355 for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.

"In 2021 I was diagnosed with tongue cancer. This year marks 5 years cancer-free, and I wanted to mark it in a meaningful way that also allowed me to give back. Rowing was the hardest thing for me to get back to during recovery, so 10 minutes every hour for 24 hours felt like the right way to celebrate how far I've come, and to raise awareness for a cancer that doesn't get talked about enough."

It's amazing what can be achieved when a community comes together. Alanna was cheered on by her family and with teams of supporters who kept the gym moving around the clock rotating through 4-8 hour shifts. Surprise one minute workouts for prizes donated from local businesses and a prize for the highest fundraising team and individuals, put some added fun in the 24-hr challenge.

Alanna, thank you for sharing your story, raising awareness of Head and Neck Cancer, and helping us continue to support patients, families and carers across Australia.

24/06/2026

//REMINDER//

It's not too late to host your own Soup for the Soul™ event for Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month (July) and help support Australians living with Head and Neck Cancer.

By raising $500 or more, you'll go into the draw to win a Smeg 50's Style Espresso Coffee Machine with Built-In Grinder, valued at $1,211, proudly donated by Appliances Online. For every additional $250 you raise above $500, you'll automatically receive another entry into the draw.

Whether you host your event at home, at work, in your local club, hall, or park - or even virtually -this is your chance to get creative, have fun, and do something memorable and meaningful with your community, friends, family, and colleagues.

For more information, please visit: https://soupforthesoul.raiselysite.com/

22/06/2026

//GET INVOLVED// DOWNLOAD AND SHARE CAMPAIGN RESOURCES TODAY!

July is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month culminating in World Head and Neck Cancer Day on 27 July.

Every year, over 5,600 Australians are diagnosed with a type of Head and Neck Cancer.

Many signs and symptoms can be mistaken for common conditions, like a sore throat or mouth ulcer that doesn't go away, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

This Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, we're encouraging Aussies to Start a Conversation about Head and Neck Cancer.

Join us as we raise awareness, share stories, support those affected and encourage more people to know the signs and symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer. Learn more and download campaign resources - https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/get-involved/head-and-neck-cancer-awareness-month/

No one should face Head and Neck Cancer alone.

19/06/2026

Another busy and productive week for HANCA in Western Australia! Our CEO Nadia was joined by Helpline Nurse Manager Belinda and Specialist Head and Neck Cancer Nurse Faye to meet with patients and clinicians across a number of key HNC services, including Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Cancer Council Western Australia GenesisCare and Fiona Stanley Hospital. These visits are an important part of strengthening relationships and ensuring we are best supporting the people impacted by Head and Neck Cancer.

The team have spent the last few days at the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia - CNSA Annual Congress, where the team was proud to raise awareness of our specialist Head and Neck Cancer Helpline and how it has helped close the gaps in navigation and post-treatment care.

We are grateful to everyone who came out to meet the team and look forward to collaborating more on our important work.

18/06/2026

Join our private Facebook groups to connect with people who truly understand the journey you're on. We have dedicated groups for patients, and for family, friends and carers, providing a supportive space to share experiences, ask questions and connect with others who understand.

HANCA Patient Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1959434301655001/?rdid=dtQbfKVskBs6pxVZ&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fg%2F1PqUBTN2g9%2F #
HANCA Family and Friends Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2325663511281791/?rdid=oSBzZ6w0xYKMUxsJ&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fg%2F181GFv9RPV%2F #

17/06/2026

Because of you, we are here.

Help us strengthen support and amplify the voices of people affected by Head and Neck Cancer.

Make your tax-deductible donation before 30 June https://hancataxappeal2026.raiselysite.com

15/06/2026

Get the whole family involved - take on 5km, 10km or the half marathon at Run Melbourne on 19 July 2026 and support HANCA along the way.

Commit to fundraising $700 and you'll receive free registration plus a few HANCA goodies too.

There are only a few charity spots left, so now's the time to sign up. We'll be there cheering you on at the finish line.

Register today!
https://runmelbourne26.grassrootz.com/head-and-neck-cancer-australia

11/06/2026

Australians who need facial prosthetics after Head and Neck Cancer continue to face significant financial and geographic barriers.

As HANCA CEO Nadia Rosin said to Croakey Health Media, “This is not a matter of cosmetic enhancement, it is fundamental cancer survivorship care vital to restoring function, identity and quality of life.”

The recent KPMG-led Independent Review of Cancer Prostheses Equity confirms what patients and clinicians have long been saying, that access to facial prosthetics is fragmented and inequitable across the country.

Survivorship care is cancer care. It’s time for a nationally coordinated, funded approach to ensure no one with Head and Neck Cancer is left behind.

Read the article: https://www.croakey.org/what-will-it-take-for-cancer-patients-across-australia-to-gain-fair-access-to-vital-prostheses/

Read the KPMG review:https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/independent-review-of-cancer-prostheses-equity-in-australia.pdf

Efforts to ensure cancer patients have equitable access to vital prostheses are progressing intolerably slowly, with devastating consequences for many patients, especially those in regional, rural and remote areas. Charles Maskell-Knight puts forward some practical suggestions for generating some ac...

10/06/2026

This July, host your own Soup for the Soul™ event for Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month and help support Australians living with Head and Neck Cancer.

By raising $500 or more, you'll go into the draw to win a Smeg 50's Style Espresso Coffee Machine with Built-In Grinder, valued at $1,211, proudly donated by Appliances Online. For every additional $250 you raise above $500, you'll automatically receive another entry into the draw.

Whether you host your event at home, at work, in your local club, hall, or park - or even virtually -this is your chance to get creative, have fun, and do something memorable and meaningful with your community, friends, family, and colleagues.

For more information please visit: https://soupforthesoul.raiselysite.com/

10/06/2026

// NEW LOCATION //
Head and Neck Cancer Australia is coming to Cancer Council Western Australia in Perth on Monday, 15 June.

Everyone is welcome to drop in for a chat and a coffee.

• Where: (NEW LOCATION)
Cancer Council WA
Milroy Lodge, Seminar room
15 Bedbrook Place, Shenton Park
• When: Monday, 15 June, 2pm - 3.30pm

HANCA is visiting as part of the national roadshow to improve equity and bridge gaps in Head and Neck Cancer support across Australia. HANCA is committed to providing evidence-based information and working to engage healthcare professionals and the broader HNC community with vital resources for prevention, early detection, and improved patient care.

RSVP today -https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/get-involved/afternoon-tea-with-hanca/

Learn more about HANCA at www.headandneckcancer.org.au