For the past 6 and a half years Lucy Jacka – the Cerebral Palsy Alliance General Manager for Fundraising, has worked at the Sydney-based CPA where she is responsible for the Steptember fundraising team who generate vital funding for cerebral palsy services and research.
CPA is now one of the largest non-government funders of cerebral palsy research globally.
The Steptember campaign is one of CPA’s biggest fundraising events, and its super important to the organisation’s success in fulfilling the valuable work and support they give to people with cerebral palsy. Last year it raised more than $6 million – a new record- and this year the CPA is hoping to smash that result with a $7.8 million target.
In Australia, one baby is born every 15 hours with Cerebral Palsy.
It is the most common physical disability in children.
The funds raised make it possible for the CPA to assist 5,000 families every year with therapy, equipment, accommodation, children’s programmes and much needed emotional support.
In the 12 years the CPA has directed funds into research a great wealth of new knowledge has been discovered. For instance we now know that cooling newborn babies with brain injury rather than warming them is the optimum response, and this has made a terrific difference to many babies at risk of CP.
CPA funds research all over the world, and there is very promising work being done particularly in the area of stem cell research and genomic research.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT STEPTEMBER
Supporters participating in Steptember get three options on where their money can be directed when they sign up. It can go either to Research, Services and Equipment, or wherever the need is greatest.
To register your support and for more details on this worthy cause, visit www.steptember.org.au.
Your Steptember kit, consisting of a pedometer, lanyard and booklet, will be delivered right to your doorstep.
Every dollar you, or our company raises, will provide vital equipment, therapy and services to children and adults living with cerebral palsy. Or, you can choose to raise funds for ground-breaking research into the prevention and maybe even one day a cure.