Health professionals in the frontline of the fight against breast cancer will hit the streets of Mackay next month for the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women's Day Fun Run, presented by Queensland X-Ray.
While 23,000 people take part in the main Brisbane CBD event on Sunday 9 March, Mackay will hold its own fund-raising 5km fun run, starting and finishing at the Bucasia Beach playground.
This year walkers and runners from Mater Private Hospital Mackay will be lining up with Queensland X-Ray Mackay staff and members of the city's Lazy Runners Club.
The International Women's Day Fun Run is held by Mater Foundation, which is hoping to raise more than $1.8 million this year. The funds will be used to support Mater's breast cancer services, purchase new equipment and fund life-saving breast cancer research.
"Mater's Mackay team is joining Queensland X-Ray staff for this event, bringing together dozens of health workers who support women – and men – with breast cancer every day," said Hazel Douglas, Assistant Director of Clinical Services at Mater Private Hospital Mackay.
"More than 20,000 patients a year are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Australia and this is our way of showing our support for them and their families."
Mater is one of the leading centres for breast cancer treatment in Queensland, with one in four patients statewide being treated at a Mater hospital.
Around 300 patients underwent breast surgery at Mater Private Hospital Mackay last year.
Although registrations for the 2025 fun run have now closed, Mackay residents can still make a difference by donating at fundraise.mater.org.au/fundraisers/matermackaychicksinpink.
Supporters are also welcome to cheer on the participants at Bucasia Beach at 6.30am on 9 March.
Ms Douglas said the Mater team was hoping to raise $2000.
"Every dollar we raise helps women fighting breast cancer," Ms Douglas said.
"It's an amazing cause and we're so grateful for the community support we've received so far."
