Charities Use Social Media in eftpos Giveback Campaign

The national Cancer Council and Diabetes Australia will help drive awareness about diabetes and skin cancer with an integrated social media campaign as Australians are asked to help eftpos donate up to $2 million as part of its annual Giveback campaign.

eftpos is asking Australians to press CHQ and SAV at the checkout in the lead up to Christmas and help donate up to $2 million to the Not for Profits latest disease prevention campaigns.

eftpos CEO Bruce Mansfield said the 2013 eftpos Giveback campaign was targeting two of Australia’s most prevalent diseases – diabetes and skin cancer – and would run from November 4 until Christmas Eve.

Mansfield said Giveback 2013 would be supported by an advertising campaign which starts t encouraging Australians to get on the "nice list" by pressing CHQ or SAV at the checkout.  

“The donation amount will depend on eftpos transaction volume achieved during the eftpos Giveback period, up to $2,000,000,” Mansfield said.

He said that during this year’s Giveback campaign, Australians would be asked to get actively involved in the social media campaign to raise awareness about skin cancer and diabetes.  

“They will have a chance to receive one of two healthy feasts valued at up to $1,000;  a shirt signed by Australian Cricket Captain Michael Clarke or one of seven sun protection kits for their local high school.

“Skin Cancer and diabetes are two of the biggest threats to the health of this nation and these initiatives will have a long-lasting impact on the lives of Australians across all age groups,” Mansfield said.

“They both had very strong support in our social media poll, where almost 70,000 Australians voted for their favourite causes."

eftpos says Diabetes Australia will use the donation toward the development of a digital platform and mobile application, as it looks to provide Australians with a greater understanding of diabetes, its causes and management.  Cancer Council will use the donation to fund their Shade for Secondary Schools Grant Program across the country.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said: “The donation will help us create greater awareness among Australians – diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in the country and is expected to become the number one burden of disease in Australia within the next five years.”

“The eftpos Giveback funds will help Diabetes Australia to develop a revolutionary online platform and awareness campaigns. People will be able to connect to diabetes prevention and management information and to other people, programs and services in new and powerful ways. They can be inspired, they can be connected, and they can take control of their diabetes and their health no matter where they are,” Prof Johnson said.

Cancer Council Australia CEO Professor Ian Olver said: "We are grateful that so many Australians recognised the importance of skin cancer prevention and supported our proposal by voting in the campaign. Two in three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. Reducing UV exposure by providing sunshades in schools is one easy way we can help lower our future generation's skin cancer risk."

Cancer Council’s Shade for Secondary Schools Grant Program will launch in 2014, inviting secondary schools around Australia to submit an application to Cancer Council for a shade grant of up to $25,000. The grant will allow the selected schools to purchase permanent or temporary shade for their school. The grants will be divided proportionally across the nation based on state and territory school populations.

Stephanie Rice, Australian Olympian and Cancer Council ambassador, has also welcomed the initiative.

“There are a lot of great things about growing up in Australia – the sunshine, swimming and the great outdoors,” she said. “But our lifestyle and weather also means we have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Melanoma is the most common cancer in young people aged 12-24. Thanks to eftpos, we now have the chance to help Aussie teens reduce their skin cancer risk.”

Local communities will be able to recommend their school for the program online and Australians will be encouraged to submit photos of their favourite shaded spots with a chance to win sun protection kits for their schools and a shirt signed by Australian Cricket Captain Michael Clarke.