Financial support

Orange Hearts Bursary Program

Orange Hearts is a bursary grant program of Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation to give one off financial aid to those impacted by cervical cancer and their family or dependants.

The aid is offered in good faith and intended for use on activities, resources, goods or services to support the applicant/recipient, their family or dependants to assist them to cope with the direct or indirect detrimental impact of their cervical cancer diagnosis and subsequent journey.

Aid will be in the form of a gratuity of up to $500 awarded to assist with the cost of activities, resources, good or services that are important to the applicant/recipient but which may be difficult to acquire or fund as a result of the circumstances of dealing with a cervical cancer diagnosis and journey.

These include but are not limited to:

practical education needs, such as books, stationery, fees, computer equipment
costs of items like medical and support services, medications, counselling, transport, rent, groceries, mortgage or loan payments, utility and rates expenses
recreational, creative arts, social or sports activities including training/classes, uniform and membership or entry fees.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to applicant/recipients who have at any time been diagnosed with cervical cancer and are still undergoing their journey, up until the point in time 1 year after where their doctor has confirmed in writing that they are in remission or clear of the disease. Reliable proof may be requested.
The applicant/recipient may need the aid for themselves or for a support person (parent, step-parent, guardian, sibling, cousin, grandparent, aunt/uncle or benefactor) who reasonably may be considered to rely on the applicant/recipient.

The support person may be giving or may have given financial, emotional, social or other support to the applicant.
The applicant/recipient is an Australian citizen or present in Australia at the time of applying. (Proof may be requested)
The applicant/recipient has not received an Orange Hearts bursary in prior 8 months unless the Orange Hearts Selection Committee (OHSC) entirely at its own discretion deems there to be exceptional circumstances

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Process

Completed applications must be submitted online
Applications will be reviewed by ACCF staff to ensure they meet all requirements.
Applications will be individually assessed and ranked by the OHSC.
Recommend successful recipients of Orange Hearts Bursaries to the ACCF Board for ratification.
After ratification by the ACCF Board, successful applicants will be informed as soon as practical.
Presentation of each Bursary will be made in a manner and at time and place determined by ACCF following consultation with individual successful applicants.

Conditions of Bursary

Funding periods will provide support for one year and the aid is to be used within this timeframe.
Bursary recipients authorise ACCF to share their stories by media, website, social media, at events or other distribution channels as requested by ACCF at no fee or cost to ACCF and copyright is given to ACCF.
There will be a limited number of Bursaries in each 12 month period which will be at ACCF’s discretion. If there are more suitable applications than there are Bursaries available, ACCF in its absolute discretion, will determine which applications are successful. Unsuccessful applicants may apply again at the next opportunity if they still meet eligibility.
There is no intention on the part of ACCF or the applicant or parent, step-parent or guardian to be legally bound. Applying for a Bursary does not create any contractual, legal or equitable right or any other relationship with ACCF or its employees’ board members or representatives and does not give any right or expectation of any appeal or review process.

Meet our recipients

Dannii

Dannii, a cervical cancer survivor is the proud mum of her two daughters who were bursary recipients in 2022. She reflected that:

“Not only is cancer tough to physically and mentally fight, but it’s also hard financially whilst you’re fighting it and beyond. I still have check-ups and medication that cost money, so having my girls be able to receive the Orange Heart Bursaries was an amazing help! The money from the bursary paid for Ilara’s netball season & Ariana’s gymnastics lessons.”

- Dannii

Families like Dannii’s are why ACCF introduced the Orange Hearts Program in 2021. In her words:

“How amazing is this. What a great way to give back to the little people in our lives, who are our biggest supporters and our strength to get through tough times like fighting cancer.”

- Dannii

Kate (2023 recipient)

“It cannot be expressed in words how grateful we are to receive an Orange Hearts Bursary. The financial costs that we have had to endure has definitely impacted us as a family and has had an impact on our children. The bursary will give our children new opportunities and help fund activities they love to do.”

- Kate

Keeley (2023 recipient)

“I feel very privileged and grateful to be chosen for this bursary to help me continue with my dancing”

- Keeley

Golsby-Smith family (2023 recipients)

“Receiving the Orange Hearts Bursaries will help our family incredibly. My cancer diagnosis in October 2022 was such a shock for our family and I started treatment the week of Christmas. The children didn't get to have much of a Christmas or summer holiday because I was so unwell, and we had gone down to one income. This money will allow us to give the children things which will help support their mental health during this difficult time. We cannot thank you enough.”

- Amelia Golsby-Smith

FAQs

When are Orange Hearts bursaries awarded?

Orange Hearts Bursary applications open in February each year. Applications close in March and bursaries are awarded in April.

How do you apply for an Orange Hearts Bursary?

All applications are made online via the ACCF website (applications open in February 2024).

How do you qualify to apply for an Orange Hearts Bursary?

Applicants must satisfy all the following criteria:

be aged up to 18 years old
have a close family member diagnosed with cervical cancer
be an Australian citizen or currently live in Australia
have not received an Orange Hearts bursary in the previous year.

For more information, see a previous example of the Orange Hearts 2023 Guidelines.

Note: the 2024 guidelines may change and will be available in February 2024.

What can bursary funding be used for?

Bursaries can be used to pay costs involved with an activity the applicant enjoys. This includes school, recreational, creative arts, social or sporting activities.

What type of activities have previous bursaries paid for?

Swimming, artistic swimming, basketball, AFL, netball, soccer, dance, Taekwondo, go kart racing, photography, horse riding and school resources, activities and camps.

What information is required in the application?

Information required includes:

personal details
evidence of a cervical cancer diagnosis
information to validate participation in the nominated activity
practicality of the use of funds
permission to use images and stories about the use of bursary funds.

How are the Orange Hearts bursary recipients chosen?

The Orange Hearts Selection Committee has the honour of choosing the bursary recipients. They carefully assess the submissions making sure the applications:

Include all the required information
demonstrate the impact of a cervical cancer diagnosis
demonstrate the need for funding
alignment with the ACCF mission.

How much is a bursary worth?

Bursary amounts can range up to a maximum of $500.

How will the bursaries be paid?

Once you have been identified as a bursary recipient, ACCF will contact you to organise payment.