About

Make an impact.
Get Involved

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. 

Join other CEOs and business leaders at one of our iconic events: Melbourne event on the 20th of October 2023 or Sydney event on the 27th of October 2023.

Register  Donate

“CEO Dare to Cure is the number one event that any CEO or leader should seriously consider doing. It’s a chance to come together to help children with cancer. There’s nothing better really.”

- Chris Dutton, Founder, The CEO Magazine

See Ambassadors

Photo Gallery 

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.   

Where the money goes

Research & scientific activities to help cure childhood cancer

Last year, 84 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

Ultimate Dare Challenges - (Sydney Only)

1. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium's Shark Dive Xtreme

Date Thursday 12th October & Friday 13th October (Friday session is FULL)

Challenge your fear of diving with sharks by going face to face with them on Friday the 13th for 30 minutes… without a cage. in SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s Shark Dive Xtreme.

Note: this dare is suitable for first-time divers with no previous diving experience required. A reasonable degree of swimming ability is required to participate. Please ensure you check the restrictions and medical requirements on the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium website before booking.

Eligibility Requirements: $500 personal donation & a $7k fundraising pledge

2. Red Bull Aerobatic Flight with Matt Hall, Red Bull Air Race World Champion 

Date Saturday 14th October & Sunday 15th October

Red Bull Aerobatic Flight with Matt Hall, Red Bull Air Race World Champion - can you endure the ultimate adrenaline ride at 370+km/h with loops, barrel rolls, upside down flying and tumbles

Eligibility Requirements: $1000 personal donation & a $7k fundraising pledge

Main Event Dares

Ice bath for CEO Dare to Cure

1. Athlete's Ice Bath Challenge 

Can you brave the deep freeze? 

image of hot coals

2. Walking on Fire & Glass 

Hold your nerve for this double act

Image of snakes

3. Snake Bath Challenge 

Dedication to doing the unimaginable 

Extreme fitness challenge image for CEO Dare To Cure

4. Extreme Fitness Challenge

Designed by fitness legend and F45 Co- Founder Luke Istomin.

5. Bugs for Breakfast 

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

image of shaver

6. The BIG Shave 

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

7. 3 Hour Cycle (Sydney Only)

Can you endure 3 straight hours (on a stationary bike), dedicated to the 3 kids that die every week from cancer?

8. Tattoo Live in Public (Melbourne Only)

Do you dare? A lasting reminder but all for a great cause

Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-event

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

add remove

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.

When and where are the CEO Dare to Cure events?

add remove

Sydney – Friday 27 October, 6am – 9.30am at Fleet Steps, Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Melbourne – Friday 20 October, 6am- 9.30am at The Timber Yard, Melbourne

What should my fundraising target be? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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

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

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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?

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

Please arrive at 6am for registration

What should I bring? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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

What facilities will be available on the day? 

add remove

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? 

add remove

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?

add remove

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? 

add remove

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?

add remove

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