Ask any of the hundreds of families across Australia affected by childhood cancer what they would do for a cure, and you’ll likely hear there’s no price too high, no challenge too daunting.

The numbers hit like a shock. There are about 400,000 new diagnoses in children and adolescents each year around the globe. In Australia, that breaks down to 20 children diagnosed with cancer every week. And every week across the continent, three die, making cancer the disease that claims the lives of more kids in Australia than any other.

Children’s Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer.

Originally founded by two fathers of children with cancer in 1976, the Institute’s focus is on translational research, with an integrated team of laboratory researchers and clinician scientists working in partnership to discover new treatments that can be progressed from the lab bench to the beds of children on wards in hospitals as quickly as possible.

One of the Institute’s leading fundraising events, CEO Dare to Cure raises more than A$1 million each year. The event, now in its second year in Melbourne (Friday, 20 October 2023) and sixth in Sydney (Friday, 27 October 2023) invites Australian CEOs to get behind the cause, taking on dares and challenges to generate funds.

Past years have seen participants attempt to walk across hot coals and shards of glass, eat the world’s hottest chili pepper, get tattooed publicly, shave their heads and even eat insects. This year, real challenges are ahead, with some business leaders tackling deep-seated fears and anxieties.

Are you a CEO or C-suite executive who wants to see what you’re made of? There’s still time to register for CEO Dare to Cure 2023 to raise funds to support the Institute’s work.

Here, we talk to a few CEOs up for the 2023 challenge.

Sarah Lyons, CEO, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Australia & Asia

Why are you taking part in CEO Dare to Cure this year?

There are too many people I know who have been affected by cancer – family, friends, colleagues. Then to think that every week in Australia, three children or adolescents die from cancer – that’s heartbreaking. They haven’t had the opportunity to live their lives.

Over the years I have supported a lot of cancer-related fundraising events. As this is for children, I feel, what’s a little bit of discomfort for me over a short space of time compared to what they have to endure?

What dare are you taking on?

I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, although I am not a fan of heights. Yet, the dare I am taking on this year is the Red Bull Acrobatic Flight!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on, either personally or in business?

Apart from the snake bath (I am petrified of snakes) in a previous dare or skydiving for charity, I’d say the biggest challenge for me personally was moving from the United Kingdom to Australia for a new role in a new company having never been to Australia before the move.

“Together, as a community of business leaders, we can make a significant impact toward helping put an end to childhood cancer.”

– Sarah Lyons

What’s your mantra for overcoming challenges?

Embrace the challenge – give it a go and surprise yourself.

What would you say to other CEOs and business leaders thinking of getting involved?

Join in and help drive meaningful change in the fight against a cruel disease. By taking on a daring challenge, you’ll inspire others to get involved and you’ll also directly impact the lives of those affected. Together, as a community of business leaders, we can make a significant impact toward helping put an end to childhood cancer.

What is your fundraising goal? How do you intend to go about raising your money?

My goal is to raise A$7,000 although I am hoping to beat that and would ideally like to exceed the fundraising I achieved last year. The insurance industry is a very supportive community and contributes to fundraising activities. I will be using social media to drive awareness, and within my business we have various fundraising activities planned.

As a business leader, why do you feel it’s necessary to promote CSR?

Corporate social responsibility is good for employees, clients, stakeholders and society at large. It is a strategic approach to doing the right thing. Integrating CSR into business operations creates a win–win situation that drives sustainable growth and positive impact.

James Patterson, CEO, Knight Frank Australia

Why are you taking part in CEO Dare to Cure this year?

Life is too short to not be involved in things that matter. It’s a fantastic charity that is raising much needed awareness and funds to help rid the world of childhood cancer through global leading research, and I love being part of that – every dollar raised counts!

I had a lot of fun at the CEO Dare to Cure event last year, and I am looking forward to seeing many of my peers on the fleet steps doing the dares this year. It’s wonderful how this event combines fun and a great time with an amazing cause.

What dare are you taking on?

The 3 Hour Cycle and the Athlete’s Ice Bath Challenge.

What else have you tried over the years?

Last year, I tried the Bug Breakfast! I was surprised – the bugs were tastier than I thought they’d be. I’d like to raise A$10,000, so this year I have decided to step up and challenge myself in another type of dare – the cycle and ice bath!

Why do you think it’s important to support Children’s Cancer Institute?

It’s incredibly tough for anyone going through cancer, even more so children. It is heartbreaking and I still can’t believe we haven’t found a cure for cancer.

If there is a way for us to end childhood cancer, we should. The treatments we have available today would not be there without the extensive research that’s being done at the Institute.

“Get involved and make a difference. It’s a great day full of laughter with like-minded leaders.”

– James Patterson

What is your personal reason for wanting to support cancer research?

Like many others, our family has been impacted by cancer. Luckily, our story has a survivor who’s leading a happy life. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking and unfair disease affecting so many Australians. I want to do my part as a leader by raising awareness and much-needed funds.

What’s your mantra for overcoming challenges?

Life is full of many challenges, as we go through our life’s journey. Whenever I have been dealt a challenge, my mindset is to practice gratitude and to be grateful every day, as many others in the community are unfortunately more disadvantaged.

What would you say to other CEOs and business leaders thinking of getting involved?

Get involved and make a difference. It’s a great day full of laughter with like-minded leaders. As leaders, we have the power to influence our community for a common interest and create a culture of challenge.

What is your fundraising goal? How do you intend to go about raising your money?

My fundraising goal is A$10,000. With the generosity, support and help of my community, family, friends and business network, I hope to surpass this.

As a business leader, why do you feel it’s necessary to promote CSR?

I am very much about making the community a better place for everyone. Unfortunately, we have so much to do in the CSR space, and it is up to us as leaders to drive and be at the forefront of making a difference.

Katie Finney, Director 7RED, Seven West Media

Why are you taking part in CEO Dare to Cure this year?

I am taking part in CEO Dare to Cure for a second year because I strongly believe that through medical research, we can one day cure children of cancer.

Fundraising is also deeply rooted in the values instilled by my mother. Growing up, I witnessed her unwavering commitment to fundraising, and I learned that giving back to the community is an integral part of everyone’s responsibility. Her dedication and the positive impact she made inspired me to follow in her footsteps.

I was attracted to the CEO Dare to Cure as I knew by pushing myself to do something extreme and stepping out of my comfort zone, I could personally contribute to raising much-needed funds.

What dare are you taking on?

The Snake Bath Challenge.

Why do you think it’s important to support Children’s Cancer Institute?

All children deserve a childhood free from cancer. Children are our future and if we can end childhood cancer, the world will be a much better place.

What is your personal reason for wanting to support cancer research?

As a mother, the fear of a loved one being diagnosed with this devastating disease is always in the back of my mind. I have a strong personal affinity with the mission of the Institute, a charity wholly dedicated to curing childhood cancer. I feel it’s the best charity to focus my fundraising efforts on.

“The event’s atmosphere is amazing and that sense of achievement of participating in the dare and meeting or exceeding your fundraising goal is euphoric.”

– Katie Finney

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on, either personally or in business?

Deciding to relocate with my husband to Sydney from Melbourne, which meant moving away from family and friends, to advance my career while also raising our daughter without a support network nearby.

What’s your mantra for overcoming challenges?

Be brave, while acknowledging the worst thing that can happen and then accepting that the result will be easier than you think.

What would you say to other CEOs and business leaders thinking of getting involved?

Do yourself a favor and get involved. The event’s atmosphere is amazing and that sense of achievement of participating in the dare and meeting or exceeding your fundraising goal is euphoric.

What is your fundraising goal? How do you intend to go about raising your money?

Last year I raised A$6,000 through the Ice Bath Challenge. Snakes are one of my greatest fears and given I’m facing that fear and jumping into a bath of them, I would love to reach more than A$10,000.

I will be leveraging my professional and personal network across the next couple of months and asking everyone I know to donate and support the CEO Dare to Cure.

As a business leader, why do you feel it’s necessary to promote CSR?

I believe it’s our responsibility as leaders to be doing everything within our power to positively impact society. We are fortunate through our positions in business to have a platform to drive change and influence others and this means we can succeed in driving change.

Clovis Young, Founder & MD, Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill

Why are you taking part in CEO Dare to Cure this year?

It is a fantastic cause and the money raised goes to the research needed to provide kids with cancer the innovative treatments that are saving young lives.

What dare are you taking on?

This year, I will be facing a real fear and jumping into the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s Shark Dive Xtreme. In the past, I have shaved my head and eaten the world’s hottest chili pepper – a Carolina Reaper.

Why do you think it’s important to support Children’s Cancer Institute?

There is some incredible work going on at the Children’s Cancer Institute and it’s a chance to raise awareness of those accomplishments, and the funds raised support Australia’s leading position in treating childhood cancer. What is more important than saving young lives?

What is your personal reason for wanting to support cancer research?

Growing up, my 10-year-old neighbor broke her leg while playing at school. We thought she had just had a bad fall, but she was diagnosed with bone cancer and within months, she passed away. She was the most energetic and lively person I knew so her diagnosis seemed incredibly unfair. I would like to think that if that happened today, she would have survived.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on, either personally or in business?

I am fortunate that my kids and family are all healthy, so I have never had to face the challenges that the families of kids with cancer face. I do this dare in part because I feel it’s important to thank your good luck and pay it forward.

“It’s a great cause to be associated with and the goal of ending childhood cancer is simple and powerful.”

– Clovis Young

What’s your mantra for overcoming challenges?

I agree with Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” So, my mantra is, “This is too easy,” and by repeating that positive mantra, I find that I can see past the challenge and begin creatively solving for solutions. It’s a can-do mindset mantra.

What would you say to other CEOs and business leaders thinking of getting involved?

First, it’s a fun day and a good chance to step back from work to push yourself in a personal way. Second, it’s a great cause to be associated with and the goal of ending childhood cancer is simple and powerful. Ultimately, by participating you are raising funds to help save kids, so it is a real feel-good cause.

What is your fundraising goal? How do you intend to go about raising your money?

My goal is to get close to A$10,000. I do some social media posts and LinkedIn posts, and I am always surprised how many people donate without me having to specifically ask for their support. But I do also reach out to many of my contacts to ask for their support and I always make a personal contribution.

As a business leader, why do you feel it’s necessary to promote CSR?

It’s a privilege to be in a position of influence and and if you can raise awareness of important topics, it’s important to do so. There is a lot of scepticism in the world today, so as business leaders we bring both awareness of the cause but also trust in the organization, which is valuable.