MEDIA RELEASE
23 October 2007
For immediate release
Women walk Kokoda to battle cancer
A group of ten Australian women have raised $12,000 to help battle ovarian cancer by walking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.
And in what may be a first on the Kokoda Track, two of the 16 Papua New Guinean porters who accompanied the Australians were also women.
The Australian trekkers, aged 24-65, raised the money for the National Ovarian Cancer Network (OvCa Australia) through sponsorship and donations.
After completing the walk on 15 October, the Australians spent two days in the porters’ village of Buna before travelling to Port Moresby to meet Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Ann Harrap.
Group leader, Sue Fitcher, said: “We did this to help raise awareness about ovarian cancer. It’s a silent killer and we need to get more women talking about it.”
Commenting on the trek itself she said: “We were a family of 26 – Australians and Papua New Guineans together. It was hard, but we laughed and cried together and we supported each other. It was a wonderful and very emotional experience.”
Ms Harrap congratulated the women for completing the walk and also for raising money to combat ovarian cancer.
She said: “The Australian Government recognises the importance of promoting gender equality and creating opportunities for women to achieve their full potential.
"So we are pleased to see a group of Australian women walking the Kokoda Track with Papua New Guinean women. This demonstrates what women can achieve.”
The group of Australian women included retirees, childcare workers, business women and teachers.
OvCa Australia is a non-profit organisation in Victoria, Australia, which is dedicated to raising the profile of ovarian cancer and supporting ovarian cancer patients.
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Diplomacy Manager, T: 325 9333 ext 275