National Breast Cancer Month: A Call to Action
October is National Breast Cancer Month. Each year, more than 21,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer, a figure that touches nearly every family across the nation. It is a reminder that the disease affects mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins, teammates and friends—and that compassion, timely care and progress in research are essential to improving outcomes.
Hancock Prospecting and Gina Rinehart’s Commitment
Support for patients and a drive to advance cancer care have been central to Hancock Prospecting for decades. In the early 1990s, Mrs Gina Rinehart established Australia’s first dedicated breast cancer foundation and launched the country’s first National Breast Cancer Day. With the support of Archbishop Peter Carnley, church services were held nationwide on the eve of National Breast Cancer Day, helping to foster a growing national movement of care, compassion and action.
During this period, Mrs Rinehart also led a major petition that successfully lowered the age for breast cancer checks, underscoring the importance of early detection. Over the years, Hancock Prospecting has continued to fund generous patient care packages and vital cancer research, with a steady focus on helping people when they need it most. Pink has become more than a color at Hancock Prospecting—it is a daily reminder of support, encouragement and hope.
Pink as a Symbol of Care Across Australia
Pink is woven into the fabric of Hancock Prospecting’s identity—from what were among the world’s first fleet of pink mining trucks to pink trains, crushers and uniforms. These symbols go beyond aesthetics; they are visible cues of a culture of care, inviting everyone to rally for those affected by breast cancer and to participate in the ongoing effort to improve care pathways and outcomes.
Workplace Giving, Community Support, and a Culture of Care
Mrs Rinehart’s advocacy extends beyond philanthropy into action within families and workplaces. Her speeches over the decades have reinforced a culture of care among staff, who often extend their support to colleagues facing breast cancer. The organization’s workplace giving program ensures every donation is matched—and, in many cases, exceeded—by the business, further demonstrating how a collective effort can multiply the impact. Hancock Prospecting hopes to inspire other companies to adopt similar commitments to those in need.
Regional Support: Solaris Cancer Care in the Pilbara
In regional areas like the Pilbara, access to treatment and support can be more challenging. Hancock Prospecting supports Solaris Cancer Care, which delivers counselling, therapies and practical help to ease the burden on patients and families. This October, Mrs Rinehart will visit the Pilbara to announce a renewed multi-million-dollar commitment to Solaris, ensuring these vital programs can continue to grow and reach more people who need them most.
Early Detection, Care, and Hope
This October, let us remember those we have lost, support those currently fighting breast cancer, and remind our loved ones that early detection saves lives. By combining research funding, patient care, community outreach and regional access to services, we can move toward a future where breast cancer is detected earlier, treated more effectively, and understood more fully. Together, we can sustain a culture of care that supports Australians from the moment a diagnosis is made through survivorship and beyond.
How You Can Get Involved
Engage with National Breast Cancer Month by supporting local programs, participating in awareness activities, and encouraging loved ones to stay vigilant about screening and early detection. Every donation, conversation and act of support helps strengthen the network of care that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
