A FUNDRAISER to raise awareness about vulva health and vulvar cancer will take place at Main Ridge Community Hall on 12 September.
The event is being organised by Vulva Sisters Australia and will be a celebration of women’s health, with all ticket sale profits donated to Rare Cancers Australia.
Vulva Sisters Australia is a not-for-profit organisation co-founded by Jane Hancox and Marlo Woods, who met cold-water swimming in the bay during COVID.
Hancox was diagnosed with vulvar cancer around three years ago. Due to misdiagnosis, the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and required her to undergo multiple surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
“Vulvar cancer is rarely diagnosed early,” said Hancox.
“It leads to around 100 women per year dying of vulvar cancer in Australia, because one: they don’t know what their vulva is, and two: their doctors just misdiagnose and say that they have hormonal problems.”
Woods said she is really proud of Hancox for speaking up and sharing her story.
“There’s a lot of shame and stigma around women’s bodies, and people don’t want to talk about these things,” said Woods.
“Jane is bravely wanting to make a difference and help women be able to advocate for themselves, and to know how to talk about their bodies, and talk with doctors about how they’re feeling.”
Last year, the pair went to Parliament House for a forum with Rare Cancers Australia, who were advocating for the Minister of Health to add certain medications associated with rare cancer to the PBS.
“Some of the people that have rare cancers have to sell their houses, they have to go into their superannuation, or they have to fundraise for themselves, and it’s horrendous,” said Hancox.
She said Rare Cancers Australia have been pushing for change for many years, and they wanted to organise an event to help give back.
“They do incredible work, helping people with rare cancers,” said Hancox.
“Because there’s a lot of inequity as far as funding and treatments for people with rare cancer, so that’s their main focus.”
The pair were nicknamed ‘the vulva sisters’ by people at the Rare Cancer Australia forum in Canberra as they were wearing vulva earrings. They decided to lean into the nickname, which is how the organisation received its name.
The fundraiser will include guest speakers, live music, poetry, food and drinks, a silent auction, and a raffle.
“We’re wanting it to lead into doing more community education programs,” said Woods.
“We’ve got a lot of ideas about what we want to do, what we want to push to help women know their bodies and feel comfortable in their bodies and to know how to advocate for themselves.”
Woods said everyone involved in Vulva Sisters Australia is incredibly passionate about spreading awareness and helping advocate for rare cancers.
“We’ve all been with Jane through her cancer journey and treatment, and it was horrendous,” said Woods.
“But it’s actually created this incredible bond between us and some of the darkest, hardest, most horrible experiences in life come out with light and positivity because you can create something wonderful and positive out of it.”
Several local businesses have donated various products, experiences, and vouchers for the event.
“Thank you for being so generous,” said Hancox.
“It’s amazing how the local community are when they see what we’re doing, and they want to jump on board and give.”
“A lot of people at the moment are struggling financially, and businesses are struggling, but people are being super generous if they can be, so we’re so grateful for that.”
The event will take place at Main Ridge Community Hall on 12 September from 2 to 5 pm. You can purchase tickets for the event at: eventbrite.com/e/1988986766962
First published in the Mornington News – 25 August 2026
