Save the date: The CEO Dare to Cure event is still on!

COVID-19 may be cancelling a lot of plans, but it can’t touch Children’s Cancer Institute’s yearly fundraiser CEO Dare to Cure. The hugely successful event, which last year raised more than A$650,000 and saw participation from nearly 100 CEOs and business leaders, will take place on Friday, 23 October.

This inspiring and unique event will begin bright and early at 6am, once again taking place at Fleet Steps in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Here, Sydney’s best-and-brightest business leaders will rally together to help cure childhood cancer.

"You cannot say no to participating in the challenge," Carlton & United Breweries CEO Peter Filipovic said at the event last year. "I’m incredibly proud, and happy to participate in the years to come."

A man of his word, Peter has already committed to this year’s event. And, he’s in good company; The CEO Magazine’s very own Founder and CEO Chris Dutton has also joined the line-up.

"It’s a fantastic cause, and I want it to become a must-do event on business leaders’ calendars. More CEOs equals more money and that means a better chance to help put an end to childhood cancer," he says.

Even if lockdown measures persist, the CEO Dare to Cure event will still go on – virtually. And who wouldn’t pay good money to see Chris and the other C-suite execs bathing in a tub of snakes or shaving their heads in a virtual event that will give in more ways than one?

"While these CEOs may be facing a fear to complete their dare, this is nothing compared to what kids with cancer go through during their treatment." – Professor Michelle Haber AM, Executive Director, Children’s Cancer Institute

The funds raised will go directly to supporting Children's Cancer Institute’s lifesaving research, helping kids such as Nixon survive childhood cancer.

Nixon was born with a tumour the size of a fist on his head. He was barely one week old when he underwent a five-hour operation to biopsy the tumour. An agonising week went by before his parents received the devastating news – their baby boy had cancer, and he needed to start chemotherapy right away.

"I just cried and cried," said Brodie, Nixon’s mum. "You just don’t think about babies being born with cancer."

After four gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, Nixon’s tumour was finally small enough to remove via surgery. Today, he’s doing well, but he’s not out of the woods yet. If he relapses, his chances of survival significantly decrease. That’s why the Institute’s research and events like CEO Dare to Cure are so vital.

Children's Cancer Institute's mission is to put an end to childhood cancer and pioneer safer treatments for children through medical research.

"Despite current circumstances, the fact remains that there are children fighting cancer right now – and more who will be diagnosed during this pandemic emergency," says Professor Michelle Haber AM, Executive Director, Children’s Cancer Institute. "CEO Dare to Cure is a brilliant and unique way for CEOs and business leaders to help raise much-needed funds for the Institute. While these CEOs may be facing a fear to complete their dare, this is nothing compared to what kids with cancer go through during their treatment."

So far, there are six different dares on the 2020 Dare line-up, and they look pretty, well, daring. CEOs have their pick of challenges; there’s soaking in a freezing cold athlete’s ice bath, walking on glass and fire, or taking on the new mystery box challenge, to name a few.

Not only will this event offer some light relief from the heaviness of this uncertain time, it will also provide much-needed funds to save more children. Talk about a win–win.

To make a direct donation to Children’s Cancer Institute click here or to find out how you can get involved in CEO Dare to Cure, click here.