The Mothers Day Classic walk/run for breast cancer research was established in 1998 by Women in Super. Its purpose is to raise money for breast cancer research, to increase awareness of breast cancer within the community and to support and remember those touched by breast cancer. Women in Super established this event because:
- Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in females, after lung cancer.
- One in 9 women will be diagnosed with the disease by the age of 85.
- More than 2,600 women will die from the disease in a single year and more than 13,600 new cases are expected this year (new diagnoses are also expected in 106 men).
From modest beginnings the MDC has grown significantly over the past 10 years. Participation has increased from 3,300 people in the first year to over 80,000 participants nationally in 2009. This year the Mothers Day Classic will be held in Melbourne, Sydney - Domain, Sydney - Parramatta, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, Geelong, Gold Coast and various regional locations across the country.
All proceeds from the event are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and since inception in 1998 the event has raised over $5.7 million for breast cancer research.