Barry O’Brien OAM, Chairman of Australia’s biggest independent media agency, Atomic 212°, plunged two storeys today, conquering his fear of heights to help raise much-needed funds for Australian children who are battling cancer.
Joining other business leaders in Children’s Cancer Institute’s annual CEO Dare to Cure challenge, Mr O’Brien took on the “Dare Devil Stunt Jump” challenge, leaping off a seven-metre platform at the Australian Turf Club at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse this morning.
The CEO Dare to Cure brings together leading CEOs and business leaders from across Australia to face a fear by taking on a dare – and raise funds to help to cure childhood cancer – in a two-day event in Melbourne and Sydney.
Last year’s event raised $1.7 million for childhood cancer research, funding the equivalent of 16 senior researchers working on a cure. This year’s event is set to top that total, with donations still rolling in.
O’Brien beat his fundraising goal of $10,000, collecting $12,847, which is enough to fully cover minimal residual disease testing to detect the risk of relapse for four children with leukaemia, plus RNA sequencing to detect changes in the genes of children.
“Cancer still kills more Australian children than any other disease, with nearly three children and adolescents dying every week. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking statistic,” O’Brien said.
“Children’s Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to curing childhood cancer. But they rely on funding to facilitate this vital research and cure more children.
“Facing my fear of jumping a few metres pales in comparison to what these kids and their families face every single day in their fight against cancer. They don’t need miracles: they need generous supporters to donate money for medical research,” he said.
“Huge thanks to everyone who donated and supported this wonderful cause. Together we really can make a difference.”
Donations can still be made at CCI – CEO Dare to Cure.
