About

Do you dare? Help cure childhood cancer.  

Now in it’s fifth year, CEO Dare to Cure is one of Australia’s newest CEO fundraising event. It’s a truly unmissable fundraiser with a difference 

Join leading CEOs and business leaders to take on a nerve-racking dare and at the same time, help cure childhood cancer.  

“CEO Dare to Cure is I think the number one event that any CEO or leader should seriously consider doing. It’s a few hours on a weekday morning to come together and help children with cancer. There’s nothing better really.”

- Chris Dutton, Founder, The CEO Magazine

See Ambassadors

Some highlights from last year 

Professor Michelle Haber AM


About the Children’s Cancer Institute 

Children’s Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to curing childhood cancer. Cancer kills more children than any other disease, so our research is critical. With the brightest brains, cutting-edge facilities, and the greatest determination, we will get the job done.   

Introducing Max

Max was a healthy, lively 3-year-old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). After two years and countless rounds of chemotherapy and steroids, fortunately, Max is alive and well today but his experience has had a huge impact.

"I was ignorant to the reality of how invasive the treatment is, and the devastating impacts it can have on families. Childhood cancer doesn't discriminate. The only thing that's guaranteed is that there will be more children who get it." -  Albina, Max's mum.

Read Max's Story

Where the money goes

Research & scientific activities to help cure childhood cancer

In 2020, 81 cents of every dollar spent within the institute was spent directly on dedicated research to help cure childhood cancer.

Fundraising activities to generate donations and increase funding

Core support services and infrastructure cost, vital to keep the institute running

The dares 

Our 2022 dare line-up will be announced on this page in April!

Ice bath for CEO Dare to Cure

1. Athlete's Ice Bath Challenge 

Can you brave the deep freeze? 

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2. Walking on Fire & Glass 

Hold your nerve for this double act

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3. The Brave Shave 

A hairy sacrifice - choose from your head, eyebrows or beard OR why not be brave and go The Mullet or even a Mohawk!

Introducing Brydee

Brydee was a typical cheerful, bubbly little baby who loved going to the park, however when she developed thrush in her mouth and her belly became enlarged, Skye, Brydee's mum knew something was wrong. "Doctors kept saying her belly looked fine but I knew something wasn't right." - Skye, Brydee's mum.

After numerous tests, they found some abnormalities with her white blood cells and at 5.5 months old, Brydee was diagnosed with leukaemia. 

Read Brydee's Story

Extreme fitness challenge image for CEO Dare To Cure

4. Extreme Fitness Challenge 

Fitness legend and F45 Co-Founder Luke Istomin, will put you through your paces...compete as an individual or Corporate Team of 6!

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5. Snake Bath Challenge 

Dedication to doing the unimaginable 

6. Walk the Plank off an 80 Storey Skyscraper - Extreme virtual reality

Can you face your fear of heights and walk the plank off the edge of a skyscraper 80 stories high? 

7. Bugs for Breakfast – Sydney only 

A brekky with a difference – dine on a range of creepy crawly delicacies, guaranteed to whet your appetite!

Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-event

What is Children's Cancer Institute's CEO Dare to Cure? 

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CEO Dare to Cure brings together leading CEOs and business leaders from across Australia to face a fear by taking on a dare, and at the same time, help cure childhood cancer. Choose from either our Sydney event or Melbourne which launches this year.

When and and where are the CEO Dare to Cure events?

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Sydney – Friday 16 September, 6am – 9.30am at Fleet Steps, Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Melbourne – Friday 14 October, 6am- 9.30am at The Timber Yard, Melbourne

What should my fundraising target be? 

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Be ambitious. There is a minimum target of $5,000 for each participant however, we encourage you to reach for the stars and set a higher target if you can

Can I do more than one Dare? 

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Due to numbers, each participant will be able to take on one dare only.

Do I have to do one of the seven Dares on the website? 

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Yes - if you would like to participate, you will need to complete one of the pre-selected Dares.

Do I have to attend the event or can I do the Dares at a different time? 

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As CEO Dare to Cure is a special one-day fundraising event, we require all participants to attend your selected event (either Sydney or Melbourne). If you can no longer attend, please let us know so that we are aware ahead of the day.

Who can register for Dare to Cure? 

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CEO Dare to Cure is open to CEOs and business leaders (C Suite and Heads of Department) who dare to help cure childhood cancer.

Can I invite a colleague, peer or friend to participate? 

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Yes - you can invite a colleague, peer or friend if they area a CEO or business leader and are also committed to raising our minimum target of $5,000. As this is a fundraising event, unfortunately we will not accept participants who haven’t fundraised.

What happens once I register? 

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Once you register you will receive an automated email confirming your registration. Within 48 hours, you’ll also receive a personal email from the CEO Dare to Cure team with more information with regards to kick-starting your fundraising campaign.

Can I register on someone's behalf? 

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Yes, as long as you complete all of the required fields the participant does not need to personally complete the registration process.

How do I donate to an individual? 

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Clicking the 'Donate' tab at the top right-hand side of the home page will take you to all of the fundraising pages. Simply search by first name or last name of the person you wish to support.

How can I get in touch to find out more? 

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Contact the CEO Dare to Cure team using our online contact form or email corporate@ccia.org.au and we will respond within 24 hours Monday - Friday. Note our office is not open on weekends so we will come back to weekend queries on Monday.

Event day

Where are the event venues?

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Sydney - The venue is located at Fleet Steps at the Royal Botanic Garden- Google Maps link here. To view a map of the area – click here.

Melbourne – The venue is located at The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne, Melbourne. Google Maps link here and website here

Is there parking at the venue? 

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Sydney - Yes, there is on street parking on Mrs Macquarie's Road, 350m (five minute walk) from Fleet Steps. The parking is $8.50 p/h and unlimited and we have reserved sufficient spots for the day so you will have no trouble parking.

Melbourne – Yes, there is 200+ unmetered and untimed spaces on Plummer & Smith St next to the venue

What time should I arrive? 

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Please arrive at 6am for registration

What should I bring? 

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Clothing that is suitable for Dare activities! If you have selected the Athlete's Ice Bath Challenge we suggest you bring some board shorts, rash vest or t-shirt to get wet along with a towel and warm clothes to get changed into.

Will I be insured on the day? 

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Children's Cancer Institute has standard insurance required for the conduct of its fundraising events, and the providers of the individual Dares have appropriate insurance for their activities. As stated in the Terms & Conditions, Children's Cancer Institute will not insure you individually or your employer specifically in relation to any aspect of the event including the Dares. It is recommended that any necessary personal insurance is taken out to cover your participation prior to the event. 

Can I bring friends and family to the event to spectate? 

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We will assess whether the event will allow spectators closer to the event, depending on the COVID guidelines at that time.  

Will there be catering? 

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Yes, there will be suitable refreshments available free of charge.

What facilities will be available on the day? 

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There will be a marquee and changing tents. There won't be showers at the event due to the nature of the venue.

Post-event

Can I continue to fundraise after the event? 

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Absolutely, if the participant has not reached their goal they can continue to fundraise until they reach their target for up to eight weeks after the event. 

What’s the best way to share my  success with my team?

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You have ‘Dared to Cure’ so make sure you celebrate your success by sharing photos with your team, peers and networks. Don’t forget to include #ceodaretocure & your personal fundraising link. This will encourage people to continue to support you after the event. 

How does corporate dollar matching work? 

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Many companies have the ability to apply for corporate dollar matching after the event closes. Feel free to make enquiries prior to the day as to the status of your  company’s dollar match policy. You should be rewarded for your amazing efforts. 

What are your hashtags for social media sharing?

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Our hashtag is #ceodaretocure. We encourage you to follow this and include this hashtag on any content you share on socials!