Mining companies unite against cancer

MACA, Mineral Resources and WesTrac have formed an alliance to support the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research’s fundraiser for cancer research.

The three companies will provide infrastructure and logistics support to reduce costs associated with the Perkins’ major fundraising event, the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research.

They will provide help either directly or indirectly by encouraging their suppliers to contribute.

The event has raised nearly a combined $40 million over the past nine years.

The mining sector are already large supporters, with more than 60 per cent of the ride participants and teams coming from mining and resources.

MACA, Mineral Resources and WesTrac are all fielding teams in this year’s 10th anniversary event scheduled for 16 and 17 October.

Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research partner relationship manager Steve Currie said he saw the opportunity to bring these major businesses on board to provide in-kind support for the event.

Mr Currie said event sponsor MACA was the first to sign on and its chair and founder Geoff Baker had been instrumental in starting the alliance.

“All three companies leapt at the opportunity to offer support," Mr Currie said. 

“Alliance partners embraced the idea of joining forces to reduce the ride’s event costs by offering in-kind logistics support.

“They believe the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research fits well with their employees’ values.

“Ride engagement involves all levels of employees at these organisations, from bottom up and top down but ultimately the event unites the whole business under one cause.”

Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research took the management of the event in-house in 2019 to ensure maximum funds were channelled back to cancer research and to shore up the sustainability of the event.

The move resulted in the Perkins raising about $4.8 million in 2019, up from $4.1 million in 2018, and $4.5 million in 2020, despite a change in the event format due to COVID-19.