AFT Pharmaceuticals is getting behind three charities in a bid to help them 
raise vital funding for vulnerable Aussies - and get people talking about 
health.

The company's founder and CEO, Hartley Atkinson says the initiative is an 
opportunity to give back to the community.

"My wife Marree and I started this company 20 years ago in a garage with a 
commitment to use innovation to make a real difference to people's health. 
Helping fund three of Australia's most important charities is a powerful way we 
can use our success to do good in the wider community."

The initiative sees AFT align itself with the Starlight Children's Foundation, 
Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. 

Until 31st December 2019, AFT will donate A$1 of each Maxigesic(R) pack, 
purchased from any of the more than 2,300 participating Australian pharmacies, 
to the customer's choice of one of the three charities.

Hartley says, "Australians are known for looking after each other in times of 
hardship. This initiative gives our customers the opportunity to give back to 
their community by supporting worthy, health-based charities." 

Every minute of every day, a child is admitted to hospital in Australia and 
every month children and their families make over 15,000 visits to Starlight 
Express Rooms. Starlight's mission is 'to brighten the lives of seriously ill 
and hospitalised children and young people'.

Nicola Tuck, partnerships executive at Starlight Children's Foundation, says 
the partnership will enable them to continue to brighten the hospital 
experience for children. "There is a return of A$5.70 value to the community 
for every A$1 invested in the Starlight Express Room program. A$39 helps 
brighten the hospital experience for 1 child, and A$30 gives a hospitalised 
teen access to a livewire creative workshop." 

The Maxigesic(R) partnership will also support the Ovarian Cancer Research 
Foundation (OCRF). An estimated 1,500 new cases of ovarian cancer will be 
diagnosed in 2019, with the survival rate for all women diagnosed with ovarian 
cancer at 45 per cent. 

"The extra funding will allow us to put more towards research projects aimed at 
early detection and personalised treatment. Survival rates improve dramatically 
when cancer is detected and treated early," says OCRF spokesperson Arbel 
Givargis.

"An important aim of the OCRF is to develop a test that is accurate, 
non-invasive and cost effective, so it becomes a habitual part of every women's 
regular health check-up routine, along with mammograms and pap smears." 

Professor Jeff Dunn AO, CEO at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia 
commended the initiative saying, "The funds raised by Maxigesic(R) will help us 
save lives and support men with prostate cancer. Every year 1.3 million men 
worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer." 

"Alarmingly, Australia has one of the highest incidence rates internationally, 
with 1 in every 7 Australian men likely to be diagnosed during their lifetime. 
This campaign will help us achieve research breakthroughs and provide 
much-needed support from Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses around the country. 
We urge all Australians to get behind the campaign to help us beat prostate 
cancer."

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is the voice of 200,000 men living 
with prostate cancer. It promotes and funds world-leading research; offers 
support though groups and Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses; and provides 
education programs for the Australian community and health professionals.

Maxigesic(R), a world-first, specific-combination analgesic, was developed Down 
Under and is now licensed in more than 125 countries around the world.

Contact: 
Jade Alexander 
+61-21-822-705

SOURCE AFT Pharmaceuticals