A party for a cure and the chance to win a trip to Fiji

Posted on 22 August, 2019

This Saturday will see the sixth Brainstorm for a Cure party, with hopes the event will raise $500,000.  

Six years ago, if you’d told Canberra mother of two and brain cancer survivor Sarah Mamalai she’d be responsible for raising more than $2 million for brain cancer research, she’d have laughed her head off.

On Saturday at the AIS, that once-unlikely total is set to be surpassed at the annual black-tie party, Brainstorm for a Cure, where more than 900 Canberrans will be joined by Australian singing icon Kate Ceberano to raise vital funds to help find a cure for brain cancer.

The event hopes to raise $500,000, all of which will be donated to Cure Brain Cancer Foundation’s efforts to help find a cure for a disease which kills more Australian kids than any other.

While Brainstorm was born out of grief–four of Sarah’s close friends passed away from the same type of cancer she was diagnosed with 12 years ago–it has undoubtedly become one of the largest and most popular party gala events in Canberra.

With a group of locals who make up the Brainstorm Committee, this black-tie party has a great community feel despite its scale and achievements.

“My vision for Brainstorm was very clear and started with what I didn’t want–too many tears and too many speeches!” says Sarah.

(L-R) Amanda Fintan and Sarah Mamalai at a previous Party for HOPE.

“I wanted a party. A party for hope! Big acts, delicious food and drink, and for people to come together and have a great time. Most importantly, I wanted people to feel like they could contribute in the search for a cure for this bloody awful disease when often they can feel helpless.”

In recent years, Brainstorm has welcomed headline acts such as Hoodoo Gurus, Daryl Braithwaite and Jon Stevens to the party, ensuring sell-out crowds and massive fundraising accomplishments.

With in-kind support from the AIS, Eclipse Lighting and Sound, Show Pony Events and Trippas White Group, event costs are kept to a minimum. Canberra-region winery Contentious Character has also come on board as the event’s new wine sponsor in 2019, which will make the evening all the more delicious.

While Saturday’s party is sold out, the fun isn’t confined to those who are inside the venue. This year, anyone in the ACT can purchase Brainstorm raffle tickets, with all proceeds going to brain cancer research.

The winner will receive a holiday for up to six adults and children to Fiji, including all meals, and $2,000 air credits (valued at $10,400) donated by ZAPARI.

Raffle tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at curebraincancer.org.au/raffle. The draw will be made on Saturday night at 11 pm live at the AIS. Online raffle purchases close on Friday 23 August at 11.59pm AEST.

“There’s nothing boring about Brainstorm, or its results,” says Sarah. “Look out brain cancer, we’re hot on your tail!”