Frequently Asked Questions |
1. WHERE WILL THE MONEY RAISED BE GOING TO - WHO WILL IT HELP?
Funds raised thanks to this ambitious walk will go towards establishing the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre to provide world-class clinical care, a Wellness Centre and research facilities for vital clinical trials to develop future cancer vaccines and treatments.
2. HOW MUCH NEEDS TO BE RAISED (EVENT TARGET & ONJCCA TARGET)
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre will be a world-class facility jointly funded by Government, corporate supporters, philanthropists and individual donors. In total the fully completed centre will cost around AUS $140 million to create, and our community appeal target for the centre is AUS $25 million. Olivia’s Great Walk to Beijing is a significant step in our fundraising journey and we hope to raise in excess of AUS $5 million. An ambitious target – but an essential need!
3. HOW CAN I GIVE - WHAT PAYMENT OPTIONS ARE THERE?
The easiest (and most cost effective) way for you to donate is to make a donation online on our website www.greatwalktobeijing.com The website is designed to give you maximum flexibility in selecting multiple walkers or of course, making a donation to the general ‘Cancer Support Fund’. To give online you will need a credit card, and the rest is simple – just follow page by page and rest assured that transactions are being made on a secure e-commerce site.
If credit card is not an option, then you will need to fill out a donation form and send your cheque or money order made out to Austin Health to:
Great Walk to Beijing
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal
Locked Bag 25
Heidelberg VIC 3085
AUSTRALIA
4. HOW MUCH OF MY DONATION IS GOING TO THE OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN CANCER CENTRE APPEAL (ONJCCA)?
We are delighted to say that thanks to the generosity of our major sponsors, the major fixed costs of this amazing event will be covered. This means that the net proceeds of the donations from the public – yes from YOU – raised from the Million Steps in the Fight Against Cancer will go directly to the ONJCCA.
In addition, for every $ that you contribute, this helps us secure essential government funding – so in reality – your $1 is worth much more to the total appeal! Thanks to your support, we can create the integrated cancer and wellness centre, and support ground-breaking research into cancer, thus the development of improved treatments world-wide and someday a cure for cancer.
5. HOW WILL MY DONATION BE ACKNOWLEDGED?
For every donation that you make towards the Million Steps in the Fight Against Cancer you will receive a receipt and thank you letter as a record of your gift. Major donors to the appeal will receive recognition in the cancer Centre once it is established. For a confidential discussion about acknowledgement of your Major Gift (AUS $10,000 +) please contact our Appeal office by emailing: greatwalktobeijing@austin.org.au
6. IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Donations over AUD $2 towards the Great Walk to Beijing are tax deductible for the purposes of Australian Taxation.
Donations made overseas cannot be guaranteed as tax deductible outside Australia. Individuals will need to make their own assessments as to whether or not they can claim any tax deduction outside Australia.
7. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GIVE A DONATION TO SUPPORT A WALKER WHO GETS SICK, OR DOESN'T COMPLETE THE WALK?
If either Olivia Newton-John or another sponsored walker for any reason is unable to participate in The Great Walk to Beijing 2008, Austin Health will not refund any donations. On the occurrence of such event, these donations will be considered to have been made to the "Cancer Support Fund" which will go toward the "Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal".
8. CAN DONATIONS BE MADE IN ANY CURRENCY?
This is a global event with world-wide interest, therefore we are happy to accept donations from fans and concerned citizens world-wide.
Our on-line donations site www.greatwalktobeijing.com is able to accept credit card payments in the following currencies: Australian dollar, US dollar, UK pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, New Zealand dollar and the Hong Kong dollar.
Cheques can be accepted in any currency, however if cheques are sent from countries other than Australia there will be a delay in receipting due to delays in international cheques being processed and cleared. If you can make your payment via a bank cheque in Australia $ this will ensure that the maximum funds are delivered directly to the appeal, and in the fastest possible time.
Whilst we do accept cash donation in our head office in Australia, we strongly advise donors against sending cash through the mail.
9. IS GIVING TO THE GREAT WALK TO BEIJING OVER THE WEBSITE www.greatwalktobeijing.com SECURE?
Yes. Donations are being processed through a secure online e-commerce site managed by Touchpoint Ltd CAN using a payment gateway supplied by DPS. Payment data transmitted (both directions) is sent in an encrypted format.
10. CAN I JOIN THE WALK WITH OLIVIA?
Walking alongside Olivia will be celebrities, media contacts, business partners and invited cancer survivors. Due to logistical restraints we will have very limited numbers of people who can accompany Olivia on the walk, and as such, the team will be by invitation only.
11. WHAT IS THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT AND WHEN WILL THE CANCER CENTRE BE BUILT?
Keep an eye on our website www.greatwalktobeijing.com for regular tracking of the progress of the Million Steps in the Fight Against Cancer.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal has already raised over $60 million in cash and pledges from government, corporations and individual donors towards the establishment of the centre – so we are nearly half way there!
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre is being built at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne. We hope to begin building by 2009 and have our doors open by 2011. We know that Olivia cannot wait to walk into what will be a state-of-the-art cancer and wellness centre. We hope that you too remain a part of our appeal family to see this remarkable project come to life.
12. WHAT OTHER FUNDING HAS BEEN RECEIVED?
Overall, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal has received over AUS $60 million in cash and pledges from the Australian Federal and Victoria State Governments, from a range of corporations including the National Australia Bank (amongst others), and from many individual philanthropists and donors. We are hopeful that additional government support will be made available to complete the project.
Corporate support for The Great Walk to Beijing 2008 has been remarkable, and is what is allowing us to stage this great event. Our lead partner is Curves – being a natural partner assisting financially, and through exercise and motivational support for our team. Other supporting partners include Kellogg’s; MBT Shoes; Allens Arthur Robinson; The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing; and The Pines Stud.
We anticipate major donations to be flowing in throughout the appeal – so watch the website for the latest announcements about partners and major donors.
13. WILL MY DETAILS BE CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes. By making a donation or sponsoring steps for the Great Walk to Beijing 2008, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal will not be sharing or selling your personal details, nor the details of your donation with other parties. When you make tour donation, you will have the opportunity to opt in to various forms of communications, otherwise you will receive nothing from us other than your receipt.
For further information refer to our privacy policy.