Cancer Council is calling on Aussies to rally their family, friends, and especially their workmates, for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, the nation’s iconic fundraiser hoping to turn a cuppa into a cure!

With one Australian diagnosed with cancer every five minutes, the same length as your average tea break, every cuppa makes a difference.

“Since 1993, Australians have hosted tens of thousands of morning teas, raising over $200 million for vital cancer research, prevention, support, and advocacy programs,” said Naomi Watson, Cancer Council NSW Director of Marketing and Fundraising.

“This year, we’re aiming even higher. We want workplaces, sport teams, families, friends, and communities to come together and help us raise more than $17 million. From a casual catch-up with friends, a family brunch, a neighbourhood get-together, or a large-scale workplace event, every morning tea matters.”

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is flexible, fun, and easy to host. While the official day is Thursday 21 May, people can raise a cuppa anytime across May and June.

Turn morning tea into a powerful force for change, by registering an event or donating today at biggestmorningtea.com.au.

Jessica Giddens is organising
the Biggest Morning Tea in Nannup

Jessica and her husband have a dairy farm and so Jess blamed her backpain on farming and it wasn’t until she felt super sick and tired that she sought medical attention.

“I was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, and in 2021 I started a very difficult eight months of chemotherapy,” she said.

“Unfortunately, my disease reoccurred within a year and metastasised to my lungs. “I am now on long-term maintenance chemotherapy to keep the cancer stable.”

Jessica says the chemotherapy has stopped the cancer from spreading to other parts of her body, giving her years more to live, and allowing her to keep doing the things she loves, like photography with her beloved dog Charlie. “I am living my life, not just waiting for it to end” she said.

Just turned 44, Jessica wants to give back by supporting others affected by cancer. 

Despite battling cancer, Jessica has been supporting others, bringing the community together through her Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser.

The fundraising event will take place at the Nannup Recreation Centre on Sunday, May 31 from 10.30am to 1pm, connecting the wider community for a morning of food and fundraising in support of the Cancer Council.

Following the success of her gathering last year — where around 100 people attended and raised more than $5000 — Jessica hopes to build on this momentum and that people will make the trip despite the fuel crisis.

Jessica said the encouragement and involvement of the Nannup community had played a major role in making the event possible.

“I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the unwavering support provided by my family, friends, and the wider community throughout the process” she said. 

“Above all, my main aim is to make a real positive impact in the fight against cancer. 

“By bringing people together for this cause, I hope to contribute in a meaningful way and help support those affected by the disease.

“As Cancer Council have supported me through my cancer battle it’s wonderful to be able to give back” she said. “Organising the Biggest Morning Tea is a significant accomplishment for me.”