Mater Foundation

Every March, the RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run (IWDFR) raises funds for Mater’s Chicks in Pink, providing vital support services for breast cancer patients and life-saving breast cancer research. Participants can run or walk the traditional 5km course or 10km inner-city river loop while forming a ‘sea of pink’ in Brisbane’s biggest celebration of women.

The IWDFR aligns with Mater Foundation’s strategic plan through engagement of existing donors and new donor acquisition, and by providing sustainable funding for Mater’s breast cancer care and research. The event also enables the Foundation to acquire new leads for their various fundraising programs.

In 2014, Mater Foundation was lauded for their work on IWDFR when the team won in the special events category at the FIA National Awards for Excellence in Fundraising. That year they exceeded expectations by attracting 8,300 participants (target: 7,000) who raised $199,000 in fundraising revenue (goal: $150,000).
Meanwhile, the 2018 event surpassed objectives of 12,250 participants and $620,000 in fundraising revenue with 13,200 participants raising more than $700,000 to support women with breast cancer. Since 2016, event participation has gone up 32%, fundraising revenue has grown 156%, and the number of people fundraising for the cause has increased handsomely by 75%.