Sony Foundation's 'You Can' Campaign

Sony Foundation, together with CanTeen are gearing up to launch a national fundraising campaign to raise $15 million to build youth cancer centres across Australia.

Did you know cancer is the biggest disease killer of Australian teenagers? That in the last 25 years there has been virtually no improvement in survival outcomes for 15-30 year olds? Or that, in Australia, your chance of surviving certain cancers is halved when you turn 16?

In Australia, teenagers and young adults fall into the health gap. Like a forgotten generation, those over 16 are currently treated in wards established with much older people in mind, which has a profound impact on their treatment and their survival.

This is why Sony Foundation, the charitable arm of the Sony group of companies, together with CanTeen are gearing up to launch a national fundraising campaign to raise $15 million to build youth cancer centres of excellence across Australia.

The campaign's public appeal - You Can - addresses the urgent need for these specialised treatment centres. It's easy for the public to get involved. You Can's primary fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones - turning trash into much needed funds. Sony Foundation has partnered with Folamh, an Irish recycling company, to swap old mobile phones for cash to raise money for the development of youth cancer centres. All donated phones will be recycled for reuse. That means, once collected, phones will be refurbished and resold. Any mobile phone that cannot be resold will be broken down into its constituent parts and responsibly recycled. So simply by recycling/donating an old mobile phone, Australians can directly contribute to You Can's fundraising appeal, whilst also contributing to a greener planet.

From the beginning of March pre-paid 'You Can' envelopes will be inserted in national newspapers and magazines, making it easy to donate old mobile phones. In addition to this, phones can also be dropped in 'You Can' bins located at Sony Centres across Australia.

It's so simple to get involved. So come on - don't be a hoarder, you know that old mobile phone isn't coming back into fashion - pull it out of your desk draw, pop it in a 'You Can' envelope and send it to us! Or if you're passing a Sony Centre store, drop it in a 'You Can' recycling bin. 'You Can' make a difference.

Visit www.youcan.org.au for more information.