CEO Dare to Cure is only one week away. And while only a few months ago it was unclear if the daring event would have to take place virtually due to COVID-19, Children’s Cancer Institute is happy to report that the event will go on as planned, live at Fleet Steps at the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney on the morning of Friday 23 October 2020.
Unlike previous years, the early-morning event won’t be open to spectators due to pandemic restrictions. However, there will still be plenty of photos and videos from the day, so be sure to check back here after the event for a front-row seat to all of the dares!
“Cancer is an awful thing regardless of age but helping to find a cure for kids with cancer – children that haven’t even had a life yet – is something that’s obviously worth a few hours of anyone’s time, regardless of what you do or how busy you are. All kids deserve a shot a life.” – Chris Dutton
This lifesaving event sees CEOs and business leaders come together to make an impact and help the Institute fund research to find a cure for childhood cancer. At the same time, the event has also become a fantastic way for Australia’s business elite to network and bond over an incredible cause.
“Aside from the incredible people you meet, the network, and the passion in bucketloads from the team at Children’s Cancer Institute, I can’t think of another cause that’s more needed to find a cure for childhood cancer,” says The CEO Magazine Founder Chris Dutton.
“As any parent will tell you, just imagining the thought of hearing those words that your child has cancer will send shivers down your spine. Cancer is an awful thing regardless of age but helping to find a cure for kids with cancer – children that haven’t even had a life yet – is something that’s obviously worth a few hours of anyone’s time, regardless of what you do or how busy you are. All kids deserve a shot at life.”
While this year has been difficult for everyone due to COVID-19, it’s been especially challenging for the Institute. Regular donations are the backbone of its funding, and in light of the pandemic, it has seen a significant downturn in income, leaving many of its lifesaving research programs at risk of being curtailed.
“COVID-19 has certainly forced everyone to completely re-evaluate spend, whether on a personal or business level,” Chris says. “But even in these extremely tough times, every little bit helps. Even if people or companies can’t donate as much to CEO Dare to Cure as they could prior to COVID-19, something smaller is still hugely valuable and genuinely helps to save children’s lives.”
Take a look at some of this year’s CEO Dare to Cure participants:
Chris Dutton, Founder, The CEO Magazine
Monika Tu, CEO, Black Diamondz Property Concierge
Peter Filipovic, CEO, Carlton & United Breweries
Robert Kelly, CEO & Co-Founder, Steadfast
Zena K’dor, Managing Director, House of K’dor
Rod Everitt, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank
Chris Baddock, CEO, ALM
Sarah Bolitho, Director, Assistant Sydney
Colleen Callander, CEO Dare to Cure Ambassador, Former Sportsgirl CEO
Katrin Stoecker, COO, Steadfast Underwriting Agencies
Jessica Yue, Founder & CEO, Polaris Media Sydney
Emma Hendry, CEO Dare to Cure Ambassador, Former Hendry CEO
Luke Hepworth, CEO, Hepworth Industrial Wear
This year, more than 100 fearless CEOs and business leaders have signed up for the event. Some will be cosying up to a bed of snakes or walking on fire and glass; others will be plunging into an ice bath, competing in an extreme fitness challenge, taking on a surprise dare from the Mystery Box or even losing some hair in The BIG Shave, including our very own Chris who will be shaving off both of his eyebrows.
“I can’t wait to get the hairy little buggers removed,” Chris laughs. “And when people ask me why I don’t have any eyebrows, I can’t wait to tell them and help spread the word of Children’s Cancer Institute and the CEO Dare to Cure event.”
Regardless of what dare they perform, every single one of these participants will become a hero to the brave children fighting cancer. And if for some reason they haven’t met their fundraising goal by the time of the event, they can still continue to raise money for up to eight weeks afterwards.
If you can, consider helping Chris meet his fundraising goal and save more children today with the only giving that actually saves lives.
