Kylie cancer fund gets donations

Fans of cancer-stricken star Kylie Minogue sent USD 6,035 to a special fund set up by an Australian charity in its first 24 hours.

Fans of cancer-stricken star Kylie Minogue sent USD 6,035 to a special fund set up by an Australian charity in its first 24 hours, an official said on Saturday.

The Cancer Council created the Kylie Minogue Breast Cancer Fund after the pop diva, who announced this week that she had breast cancer, urged fans to help finance research instead of sending her flowers and cards.

Minogue's management said on Thursday that she was to undergo surgery in her hometown of Melbourne by the week's end, but it was not clear today whether surgeons already had treated the 36-year-old star.

Cancer Council helpline director Gillian Batt said an Australian phone line has been set up to take donations, as well as a website.

She said Minogue's plight also has sparked a rise in calls from women and men seeking more information about cancer.

"One of the most important ways we can help women affected by breast cancer now is through our cancer helpline and we've already had many calls from women wanting more information about breast cancer," she said.

Meanwhile, Australia's Sky News reported that news teams camped outside the Minogue family home in Melbourne were pelted with eggs in the early hours of today by a gang of masked youths.