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Royal Australian Air Force servicemen and women have shown their support throughout the year for a range of initiatives that seek to improve the health and wellbeing of men and women across Australia.
At RAAF Base Williamtown, No. 2 Squadron designed a limited, special edition pink patch for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, increasing awareness and raising funds. Over $2,000 was raised, which was promptly donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
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“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is close to me and my family as my mum was diagnosed in 2018 with breast cancer,” Leading Aircraftwoman Sophie Read said.
“She is now in remission, but I have experienced firsthand the impacts cancer can have on families, which I know a lot of people can also relate to.
“Over 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer per year, so it is important to shed light on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“I wanted to give back to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support research so more people can have a positive outcome like my mum.”
In November, many aircraftmen participated in Movember, the annual month since 2003 that is dedicated to raising awareness for some of the struggles Australian men face the most, including mental health, cancer and preventable illness.
Corporal Jarrod Macumber led No. 37 Squadron’s team of seven, dubbed the “37 Squadron’s Mo Bros”, to raise money for these issues, totaling to over $4,000, and had a specific focus on men in the Australian Defence Force who are affected by these concerns.
“The guys all joined the team for a number of reasons, including starting conversations around mental health and encouraging men to speak up about health issues,” CPL Macumber said.
“The main part[s] behind it all [are] men speaking out before it is too late, getting to the doctor’s for check-ups, putting pride or stubbornness aside and not suffering in silence when they are struggling.
“I myself battled depression for years before I got help, which, as I have learnt, is unfortunately quite common among ADF members. This [commonality] extends to the number of members who have been hit by cancer personally or had loved ones and mates battle through it.”
The ADF has long been an advocate for social issues that affect not just ADF members but the wider Australian community, with initiatives like solidifying its efforts to improve the mental and physical health of everyday Aussies.
ADF members are at higher risks of suffering from mental and physical health adversities, making movements like these highly valuable within the internal service community.
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