May is brain cancer awareness month – a time to participate in activities that raise critical funds for brain cancer research. In the realm of medical challenges, there are few adversaries as formidable as brain cancer. There is significant progress to be made in improving survival rates of those diagnosed with brain cancer and improving their quality of life. Go Grey in May seeks to address that by improving public education and discourse, raising awareness and shining a light on a patient population that is often overlooked.
Why do we go grey in May?
There are several reasons to Go Grey in May. Here are the facts:
- Brain cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer burden in Australia, with around 2,000 Aussies diagnosed each year.
- More children and adults under 40 die from brain tumours than any other type of cancer.
- Brain cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease.
- While survival rates for many other cancers have increased over the last 30 years, survival rates for brain tumours have barely improved.
Airtrain’s brush with cancer
The CEO of Airtrain, Chris Basche, has been courageously battling a brain tumour for more than two decades since brain cancer diagnosis in 2002. Chris has undergone a series of neurosurgeries in 2003, 2008, 2010 and 2023, as well as radiation therapy and chemotherapy to combat the recurrent brain cancer.
Reflecting on his experience, Chris says:
“I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional medical team supporting me; their expertise has made an enormous difference in shaping my outlook. I maintain a positive attitude, but I am acutely aware that finding a cure will offer hope to countless individuals grappling with the devastating diagnosis of brain cancer.”
Our partnership with QIMR Berghofer
The world-leading medical researchers at QIMR Berghofer are working tirelessly to deliver ground-breaking health discoveries which genuinely improve lives. Among their ranks are a number of dedicated brain cancer researchers who are on a mission to find a cure for this horrible disease.
We have partnered with QIMR Berghofer to promote their incredible work and raise much needed funds for brain cancer research. When you book your Airtrain tickets online, you can tick the donation box to make a meaningful contribution to the Institute’s incredible work. All donations go to life-saving brain cancer research at QIMR Berghofer. Together, we can make an impact in finding a cure for brain cancer.
How you can show your support this May
There are many ways you can show your support for Go Grey in May:
1. Use the power of social media to raise awareness
A simple starting point is to follow the social media accounts of key organisations in this area, such as QIMR Berghofer, The Brain Cancer Centre, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, NeuroSurgical Research Foundation and The Kids’ Cancer Project. While you’re at it, you can ‘Like’ their posts to increase engagement.
Organisations like NeuroSurgical Research Foundation and The Kids’ Cancer Project have developed a range of social media tiles that you can download and share on your social media accounts to help raise awareness among your own family and friends.
2. Donate to brain cancer research online
One of the easiest ways you can show your support for Go Grey in May is to make an online donation to brain cancer research. You can donate directly to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute via the QIMR Berghofer website.
Alternatively, when you book your Airtrain tickets online via the Booking Form you can tick the donation box. All donations go directly toward life-saving brain cancer research.
3. Tap to donate at Airtrain stations
As part of our partnership with QIMR Berghofer, you can find “tap to donate” machines at Airtrain stations at Brisbane Domestic and International terminals. With just a tap of your savings or credit card, you can make a donation of as little as $2 that will go toward brain cancer research conducted by the experts at QIMR Berghofer.
4. Cash donations at Airtrain stations
The next time you’re at the Airtrain station at Brisbane Domestic or International terminal, you can dig up your loose change – no matter what currency – and make a cash donation in the boxes at the ticket booth. Every donation goes directly to QIMR Berghofer to support their research for a cure for brain cancer.
$10,000 donation milestone reached!
Since launching our partnership with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in December 2023, we have raised an incredible $10,000 in donations that go toward life-saving brain cancer research. Thank you to every single one of our customers who has generously donated to a cause that is very close to our hearts. Please help us to reach our next milestone of $20,000. Together, we can make an impact in finding a cure for brain cancer.
