Australians are being challenged to come together through gaming for the month of May to support families and friends impacted by breast cancer – and raise vital funds for breast cancer research funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

Launching on May the Fourth – Star Wars Day – and running throughout May, Australians can team up with the NBCF to hold their own Game Day and support life-saving breast cancer research.
To participate in NBCF’s Game Day simply choose your favorite game, set a challenge, and share a fundraising page online – all to support NBCF’s mission of Zero Deaths from Breast Cancer.
Whether you are a regular online gamer hosting live streams, playing Wordle over lunch, mobile gaming during the commute or just Mums and Dads playing along at home with the kids – NBCF’s Game Day is for everyone. By holding a Game Day this May anyone can use their love of games to demonstrate their love for family and friends impacted by breast cancer – and support the more than 20,000 Australians who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.

Image caption: Streamers Ellie (Twerkinqueen) and Casey (SteamDragon) and Game Day Campaign Manager Liam Calder at Oz Comic Con, Brisbane April 2022.

How does Game Day work?

Participants can set a challenge and play any game they like. They might choose to create a pink island in Animal Crossing to share on Facebook or dress their avatars in pink skins in Fortnite and live stream on Twitch. They might hold an IRL Monopoly marathon where winnings are turned into real donations or challenge themselves to beat a level boss in Elden Ring without taking a hit.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia with around 55 Australians diagnosed with the disease each day. More than 3,000 Australians will die from breast cancer this year, leaving families and friends devastated.

NBCF’s Game Day is aiming to raise $100, 000 to fund vital research into prevention, early detection and new and improved treatments to help stop deaths from breast cancer. By taking part participants will make a real impact on the future of breast cancer.

Image caption: NBCF has created a team of avatars called the Zero Hero Elite to represent the important individuals who make their mission possible: NBCF funded researchers, fundraisers, donors, volunteers, and speakers.

Who’s joining NBCF’s Game Day?

Popular Twitch (91k) and TikTok (2.9M) creator Jackbuzza will be live streaming an 8-hour Minecraft marathon on Twitch in honour of the 1 in 8 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

“I’m excited to be a part of Game Day! Breast cancer effects the lives of not only the women who are diagnosed but also the ones closest to them, being able to make a difference in people’s lives is a staple of my community and I know they’ll come to support both me and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in this effort.”

Melbourne based gamer Ellie, who goes by the online alias Twerkinqueen, has signed up for NBCF’s Game Day and already raised $1260. Ellie says she will be streaming Fortnite on Twitch and sharing a link to her fundraising page via TikTok and Instagram.

“I haven’t ventured into live streaming much before, but that’s what I’m most excited for,” said Ellie. “I’m going to do a stream every week in the lead up to the day, I need a bit of a warmup! Plus I get to game for an awesome cause.”

Along with passionate grassroots gamers like Ellie, NBCF has teamed up with 13 high profile creators from Facebook Gaming including Nova, Overtime, Lucky Chappy & Sydney Gaming to hit their target.

NBCF CEO Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz says NBCF’s Game Day is an innovative way to raise much-needed funds for breast cancer research:

“More and more Australians think of themselves as gamers and we are so grateful to the community for getting behind Game Day,” said Associate Professor Anderiesz. “By holding a Game Day this May anyone can join our Quest to Zero Deaths and help to create a future without deaths from breast cancer.”

With prizes donated by campaign partners BenQ, Asus Republic of Gamers, TAGMods and The Oodie, anyone who holds their own Game Day and raises funds for research can enter a series of draws to win exciting gaming goodies.

Register now at gameday.org.au/play – The first 100 people to raise $100 for research will receive a free limited- edition Game Day t-shirt (pictured).