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Mother's Day Classic raises $3.3 million – including $1.2 million for ovarian cancer research

August 13, 2024

In late 2023, The Mother's Day Classic Foundation (MDCF) announced that it will partner with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) to make the OCRF a second beneficiary of the iconic annual event, alongside the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

Today, we announce the success of the 2024 event as the biggest fundraising effort in a decade. Read the full press release below.

Mother's Day Classic participants at the Melbourne start line, including Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation CEO Robin Penty (centre).

The Mother's Day Classic (MDC), one of Australia's most cherished national fun runs and walks, has smashed its fundraising record with the largest donation in 10 years – an amazing $3.3 million for breast and ovarian cancer research.

Of the total amount raised, $2.1 million will be donated to fund breast cancer research and $1.2 million to ovarian cancer research, in accordance with the selection of MDC participants.

With proceeds from the 2024 Mother’s Day Classic being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), and for the first time the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), this year participants could choose to support and fundraise for breast cancer research, ovarian cancer research, or both.

“We are overjoyed by the remarkable generosity and enthusiasm shown by our passionate participants this year. Seeing our supporters rally together to raise $3.3 million, surpassing last year’s total of $2.55 million, is truly inspiring,” said Zara Lawless, CEO of the Mother’s Day Classic.

“There is still so much to be done when it comes to funding vital breast cancer research and the $2.1 million donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation is another crucial step towards the advancement of life-saving treatments.

"With a further $1.2 million newly allocated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, this year’s achievement is a powerful testament to how we are stronger together. We are striding towards a day where every person diagnosed with either breast or ovarian cancer will be given the assurance that they can survive.”

On Mother’s Day, more than 85,000 Australians gathered in 75 locations across the country, come rain, hail or shine, to support those battling these formidable cancers.

“We knew 2024 was going to be an incredibly special year for the Mother’s Day Classic as we extended our impact to include ovarian cancer research in addition to breast cancer research, however, the response from our community, and the overwhelming feeling of strength, joy, hope and togetherness has exceeded our expectations,” Ms Lawless said.

In 2024, the Mother’s Day Classic saw incredible growth, with both participation and donations up 30 per cent on the previous year.

The Mother’s Day Classic was founded by Women in Super and since the event’s inception in 1998 there have been over 1.7 million participants with a grand total of $47.3 million donated to fund life-saving breast and ovarian cancer research.

Over the last 27 years, the contributions of our supporters have helped increase the five-year relative survival rate of breast cancer patients from 84 per cent to 92 per cent.

This year the Mother’s Day Classic took a monumental step by introducing the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation as a second beneficiary of fundraising, aiming to lift the five-year relative survival rate for ovarian cancer, which stands at just 49 per cent.

"Thank you to everyone who took part on Mother's Day, thank you to everyone who donated this year and thank you to the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation for this generous donation,” said Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“Nine people a day still die from breast cancer in Australia, but powered by the incredible generosity of the community the National Breast Cancer Foundation is able to invest in world-class research that saves lives. Receiving a significant contribution every year from the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation helps to bring us closer to our vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer.”

“The ovarian cancer community and everyone at the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation are ecstatic about the fundraising results of the 2024 Mother’s Day Classic,” said OCRF CEO, Robin Penty.

“We are proud to have walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the breast cancer community and extend our sincere thanks again to the MDCF and NBCF teams for embracing us in a warm pink hug, which now has sparkles of teal.”

“The Mother’s Day Classic has contributed and achieved so much for breast cancer research, and we look forward to driving a step-change in funds raised and research undertaken to improve survival rates for ovarian cancer too, with the support of this incredible partnership.”

"We are proud to have walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the breast cancer community"

In 2025, MDC welcomes AIA Australia as its new proud Principal Partner.

AIA Australia has been a dedicated supporter of the Mother’s Day Classic since 2018 and the elevation to Principal Partner in 2025 and beyond, highlights AIA’s commitment to helping even more Australians lead healthier, longer, better lives.

CEO of AIA Australia Damien Mu said he was incredibly proud to elevate the business’s seven-year-long collaboration with Mother’s Day Classic.

“By participating in MDC’s efforts to raise funds for breast and ovarian cancer research, we aim to be part of the solution. As a life and health insurer, we understand the impact breast and ovarian cancer can have on Australians. We work hard to provide practical and proven support for cancer prevention, treatment and rehabilitation,” Mu said.

“It’s thanks to the tireless work of not-for-profit organisations such as MDC that we can help lessen the burden of a diagnosis, and work towards further improving treatment options and survival rates for women living with breast and ovarian cancer. We’re thrilled to be MDC’s Principal Partner from next year.”

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, the 28th Mother’s Day Classic will once again inspire and unite the community and deliver another extraordinary result for both breast cancer research and ovarian cancer research.