BAILEY’S DAY SURPASSES $3M MILESTONE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDREN’S CANCER

 Bailey’s Day is excited to announce it has officially surpassed $3 million in raised funds for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre. 

Now in its 15th consecutive year, Bailey’s Day took place on Tuesday, 4 December, raising $170,200, bringing the total amount raised since the charity’s inception to over $3 million. Money raised has already made it possible to train 17 new paediatric oncologists in Australia, making a world of difference in the fight against children’s cancer. 

For the first time, this year’s Bailey’s Day featured a performance starring one of Monash Children’s Cancer Centres patients and her doctor who took the stage to sing The Greatest Showman smash hit “A Million Dreams”. Georgia Russell, a 10-year-old bone cancer survivor who received treatment at the Monash Children’s Hospital and is now in remission, was joined on stage by Dr Yoni Diamond, a Bailey’s Day funded fellow. Georgia and Yoni were accompanied by Australian music icons and industry legends Lisa Edwards, her daughter Madi Edwards-Turner, and Michael Cristiano. 

Bailey’s Day is an annual charity luncheon, auction and golf day named after Bailey, the son of Patrick and Kerryn Tessier who tragically passed away of a brain tumour in 2004 at just two-and-a-half years old. 

After Bailey lost his battle with cancer in 2004 Patrick Tessier, a successful business man and passionate father, identified a need for greater support for training new medical professionals and established Bailey’s Day to raise much-needed funds for the Monash Children’s Hospital. 

While Bailey was undergoing treatment at the Monash Children’s Hospital there was a considerable shortage of paediatric oncologists, with only one, Dr Peter Downie. In high demand, Dr Downie divided his time between Monash Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital, meaning children with cancer only had access to treatment two half-days per week. 

Thanks to Bailey’s Day this situation has improved dramatically, with $3 million raised over the past 15 years enabling the training of 17 new paediatric oncologists and making it possible for children to be treated every day of the week. 

This year, Bailey’s Day featured a bevy of impressive auction items including six International Holiday packages: - Krabi, New York, Bali, Papua New Guinea, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur, a Shell Penske Racing Hot Lap, a Mercedes for the weekend, and a private performance by award winning artists and Australian icons Lisa Edwards and Michael Cristiano. 

Patrick Tessier says he is proud that Bailey’s legacy is making such a huge impact on the lives of other seriously ill children in Australia and is still shocked that the charity has raised over $3 million. 

“I am very proud of Bailey’s Day and extremely grateful for the generosity and support that has allowed us to raise more than $3 million and make a difference in the lives of children just like Bailey. 

We started this charity to honour and remember a special little boy that we were lucky enough to call our son, and to be here 15 years later and see first-hand the effect that Bailey’s legacy is having on the lives of children and families across the country is truly incredible” said Tessier. 

Dr Peter Downie, Head of the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre, and the doctor who treated Bailey Tessier, says continued support from charities such as Bailey’s Day provide much-needed funds that allow the creation of new services and provide vital support for the hospital’s young patients. 

“Funding from Bailey’s Day has not only been imperative for the Monash Children’s Hospital, but specifically for the thousands of children who receive treatment at the hospital each year. 

“Over the last 15 years Bailey’s Day has funded the training of numerous paediatric oncologists in Victoria, helping to ensure that all children suffering from cancer are able to access the very best treatment, no matter their location. 

“The contribution Bailey’s Day has made to the medical landscape in Australia is undeniable and we are very proud and grateful to have been able to work with the charity for such a long period of time” said Dr Downie. 

Moving forward, Bailey’s Day will continue to raise vital funds in support of the Monash Children’s Hospital, as well as supporting cancer research as they strive towards finding a cure for children’s cancer. 

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.baileysday.com.au/ 

ENDS 

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