Queensland students are being urged to rock the chop for cancer this year and sign up to the Ponytail Project.
The new fundraising campaign, launched this month by Cancer Council Queensland, encourages high school students to chop their ponytails off to raise funds for Queensland families affected by cancer.
The Ponytail Project first originated in 2015 at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School after a member of the parent community was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Three years after inception, St Margaret’s has raised $104,000 to support Queensland families affected by cancer and several other schools have been inspired to join the movement and host their own ponytail chopping events.
Now, the call is going out for more schools to show their support, with Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan inviting students across the state to register for the friendly fundraising challenge.
“One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime – the chances are someone within each school community will be affected,” Ms McMillan said.
“Ponytail Project empowers students to make a change in the world by supporting people with cancer; people who have not have the choice to lose their hair while they go through treatment.
“Get your school onboard, grow your hair and fundraise throughout the year, then chop off your ponytail in October.”
In 2018, Ponytail Project aims to attract over 50 schools and 300 participants across Queensland.
“Every ponytail chopped, and every dollar raised will help fund lifesaving research and prevention projects and enable us to continue providing support services for people in your community affected by cancer in their time of need,” Ms McMillan said.
“Wear your heart on your head and sign up to rock the chop!”
To register for Ponytail Project, or find out more information, students and schools should visit ponytailproject.com.au.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at cancerqld.org.au or Cancer Council’s 13 11 20.
About Ponytail Project
- Ponytail Project is a Cancer Council Queensland fundraising initiative engaging Queensland schools to register teams and help stop cancer.
- Students grow their hair throughout the year, seek sponsorship from friends and family or host fundraising activities, and chop off their ponytails in October.
- Students can easily fundraise through their online fundraising portals and are encouraged to hit fundraising goals through gift incentives throughout the campaign.
- Cancer Council Queensland will provide fundraising resources, as well as cancer related information on prevention and support services to registered schools.
Find out more
- Website: ponytailproject.com.au
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponytailproject/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PonytailProject
- Hashtag: #ponytailproject
For more information or interviews, media can contact:
Senior Coordinator, Digital Marketing
Cancer Council Queensland
Phone: (07) 3634 5171
Mobile: 0488 015 702