e:newsletter - Issue 3 - Tuesday 30 March 2010

Mother's Day Classic:
Walk/run for breast cancer research
Sunday 9 May 2010

Domain course knows no limits!

The Mother's Day Classic Domain course is bigger and better in 2010. For the first time, walkers can enjoy the option of walking 8km as well as 4km.  Plus there is no limit on how many runners can enter the 8km or 4km course, so register now and join the best Classic yet! 

If you have already filled in your entry form for the 4km walk there is no need to re-register. Just enjoy the longer walk on the day!  As long as you finish before the 11am cut off.  Go to the Mother's Day Classic website for more information on the Domain course. 

Register and train with family and friends over Easter

As the Easter holidays begin and you enjoy chocolate, fun, family and friends don't forget to tell everyone about the Mother's Day Classic and register for this year's event online. 

Why not train together as a family over Easter? Mother's Day Classic's fitness expert Lisa Westlake has some top tips for family fitness.  She says "a family that walks together, talks together."  You can find out more about training and fitness here.
Happy Easter! 

Fundraisers keep up the great work

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to fundraise for the Mother's Day Classic. 
By getting friends, colleagues and family to sponsor your walk or run you are helping
to raise vital funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation's research programs
which assist thousands of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer annually.

Let all the kind people who sponsor you know that their dollars go to research that leads to better detection and improved treatments, which have so far resulted in 27 per cent less deaths by breast cancer.

Last year Mother's Day Classic raised a record $1.3 million - the largest contribution in 12 years.  And the highest fundrasier raised more than $12,000.  Your fundraising in 2010 will help us set a new record and mean we can donate dollars where they count.  If you haven't yet set up a fundraising page go online now.

For some top tips on fundraising and facts and figures on how your fundraising helps go to our website here.  Keep up the great work!  It's your chance to make a difference.  And don't forget that there is $1,000 Qantas domestic flights on offer to the highest individual fundraiser in each state.

My Mother's Day Classic

We have received some inspirational stories from people who take part in Mother's Day Classic.  
This is Katrina's story:
I participated in the Mother's Day Classic for the first time last year.  I ran the 8km at Parramatta Park and enjoyed training in the lead up.  I decided to do it in memory of my mum who passed away from breast cancer 25 years ago, at the age of only 48, when I was 17. I raised a few hundred dollars with workmates and friends sponsoring me.

Unfortunately, like mum, I have also been diagnosed with pre-menopausal breast cancer.  I am 42.  I had a mastectomy just before Christmas 2000 and I'm now enduring a course of chemo.  I have always been fit and healthy and would never have imagined last year that I would be in this situation now.  It is good to know that the small contribution I made last year has gone some way to helping me.

Treatment options and support certainly have improved since my mum's ordeal.  I will attempt the 4km walk in Parramatta Park this year with my ten year old daughter and a girlfriend, and my 16 year old son is ging to run the 8km.  The Classic is a week before my last chemo treatment so I should feel OK on the day.

If you have a unique story to tell about what Mother's Day Classic means to you, tell us more - share your story.

Top teams sign up for the Classic

When you join the Mother's Day Classic on Sunday 9 May, you might start out thinking you're Born to Run and along the way ask Are We There Yet. And maybe you'll see some Penguins and Pink Panters along the way!  At the end you'll definitely all feel you are all Breast Friends and Bosom Buddies! Yes, these are just some of the great team names registered for Mother's Day Classic so far.  

Have you set up a team?  It's a great way to get more people from work, university, school or your community to help raise funds and take steps to find a cure for breast cancer.  Remember there are special trophies and prizes to be won in each state for some top teams including largest school, community and corporate teams.

As this newsletter goes to press Redlands from NSW are in the lead with 306 participants, followed by Monash University.  Also in the top five are Superpartners, RMIT University and Australian Girls Choir.

Channel 9 and WIN TV presenters join MDC

Presenters and reporters from Channel 9 and WIN TV have signed up to support the Mother's Day Classic (MDC) in each state.  The Victorian team includes Channel 9 news presenter and MDC Ambassador Jo Hall, plus Elise Mooney, Lisa Andrews, Justin Rodski and Justine MacKenzie.  In NSW, weather presenter and MDC Ambassador Jaynie Seal has registered to walk in Parramatta.  WA's Ambassador is senior news reader Dixie Marshall.  A team of channel 9 Perth presenters will also be walking on the day.  WIN TV's Jessica Good participates and is Ambassador for ACT and WIN TV news presenter, Anna McMahon will walk with everyone in Hobart's event on Sunday 9 May.

Find out more about MDC's Ambassadors from the website.

Be the best of three generations with Blackmores

Are you walking or running with all three generations of your family?  Win a Blackmores 'Generations' Pack containing a range of products worth $350 to help keep everyone in your family healthy.  For more information about the competition go to Mother's Day Classic competitions.

Be in the running for Brooks shoes by joining facebook

Become a fan of the Mother's Day Classic facebook and you could win a pair of Brooks Ravenna shoes valued at $200.  Sign up before the end of April to be in the running for this great offer from Brooks.  One lucky person will be picked from MDC's facebook family.

Regular updates are posted on MDC's facebook - it's the place to be in the run up to the big day!  You can also invite your friends and family via the facebook events.

The Brooks Twitter competition closes on 31 March so if you haven't already signed up to Tweet with MDC then go to Twitter here now before we pick on lucky winner from the new twitterers on Wednesday.

Go the extra step with ME Bank

ME Bank are offering Mother's Day Classic participants in Sydney's Domain, Perth and Melbourne the chance to Go the Extra Step for breast cancer research by registering for a free pedometer and counting your paces as you walk or run on 9 May.  ME Bank will then pay 1c for every two steps to a maximum of $50 and you can choose to donate the money to NBCF or credit it into an ME Bank savings account, or you can donate some and save some.
All details are available at mebankcampaign.com.au/extrastep

Mother's Day Classic contacts

If you have any questions about the event please look at our FAQ section on the website.  Or you can contact event organisers in your city.  Click here for contacts.