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23 Jun 2019

Powering research into youth cancer through Genome Power

The Vodafone Foundation are launching a ‘text to give’ campaign, with all proceeds supporting Garvan’s youth cancer research.

Every year in Australia, more than 1000 young people are diagnosed with cancer. For many of these adolescent and young adult Australians, the diagnosis will be terminal.

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is determined to change this. Cancer researchers at Garvan have established research projects and clinical trials through the Garvan-led Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program that use the power of genome sequencing to help crack cancer’s code and deliver better outcomes to young people diagnosed with cancer.  

Cancer in young adults

Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death of young adults in Australia, yet clinical trials are often geared towards adult and paediatric cancers, limiting the treatment options available for young adults.

The Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program is a nationally-available program with two main areas of focus – clinical trials matching patients to therapies, and a risk-management program for families with an inherited high risk of cancer. Through this program, adolescents and young adults with rare or less common cancers can access cutting-edge genomic cancer medicine trials in which the entire DNA of a patient is profiled and compared with the DNA of their tumour to discern the underlying cause of their cancer and target treatment accordingly.

“According to Professor David Thomas, Head of Garvan’s Cancer Research and Director of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, “I’ve dedicated my career as an oncologist to cancer in young adults, and particularly to sarcoma, a devastating cancer that targets our youth.  We see it as critical to deliver our program – which uses genomic information to find treatments for those who have exhausted all other options – to our young people fighting cancer.”

How you can help

Facing cancer can sometimes seem insurmountable – whether it’s our own journey or supporting a loved one on theirs. To power research discoveries in youth cancer, the Vodafone Foundation have launched a ‘text to give’ campaign, which makes it as simple as sending a text message to help fight cancer.

Simply text “POWER” to 199 88 200 to donate $5 towards powering cancer research for young people. The funds raised by Genome Power will go towards trials that can help to save the lives of young people with rare and less common cancers.

Text campaign FAQs

I am trying to send a text message (SMS) to the 19 donation number and it’s not sending.  How do I fix this?  Do I get any confirmation that my SMS donation has been received?

If your text message (SMS) was received you will receive a text message reply with 'Thanks for your gift’ in it - this is confirmation that your SMS was received.

If you do not get this response, or you get an error message stating the number is unavailable/insufficient funds/message not sent etc, this happens when you do not have premium services enabled on your phone. To fix this, call your phone carrier (E.g. Telstra, Vodafone etc) and ask them if they offer this service and to enable premium services. When your carrier has confirmed that premium services are enabled please try texting again. 

Please note that not all carriers offer the Text to Donate service.

How much does it cost to donate?

Donations are $5.00 per SMS you send. 

How do I pay?

The $5.00 donation will appear on your mobile phone bill.

How do I get my Tax receipt for my donation?

The return SMS that you receive upon making your donation is your receipt.  Keep this for Tax purposes.

Is this a subscription service?

No, each SMS donation you send is a one off charge.  There are no ongoing charges associated with this service, however you can donate as many times as you like.

I don’t have a mobile phone, only a landline. Can I still donate?

Unfortunately the ability to donate $5.00 to this campaign is only available by SMS. If you wish, you can donate any amount via garvan.org.au but it will not be included in Vodafone’s campaign.

I have a question that I can’t find an answer for in these FAQs.  Who can I call to ask?

You can call the Ansible helpline on 1300 783 035.

Contact the Premium SMS Helpline:

Helpline: 1300 783 035

SMS your KEYWORD to 199 88 200 to donate $5.00. Charge $5.00 per SMS

Ansible Pty Ltd Helpline 1300 783 035.

Donation open to all residents of Australia

Available on eligible plans and services only. Currently not available on Optus.

Persons under 18 years of age must have parent/guardian permission to donate.