Bakeries across Australia are joining forces to support vital brain cancer research, inspired by the diagnosis of a much-loved Berwick bakery owner.
Tonie Dalton, co-owner of Phil’s Pies and Pastries, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in April last year. This aggressive and deadly brain cancer has a poor prognosis, with an average survival time of 12 to 18 months and only about 5% of patients living beyond five years.
After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Tonie sat down with her family and expressed a desire to make a difference. That dinner table conversation sparked the idea for Baking for Brain Cancer—a fundraiser where the family decided to donate all proceeds from to support brain cancer research.
Launched recently, Baking For Brain Cancer is a nationwide fundraiser where bakeries, pie and pastry shops across Australia support brain cancer research.
Approximately 70 amazing bakeries across 5 different states have already signed up to take part in Baking For Brain Cancer this May 31.
Each business will nominate a special item, with proceeds from those sales going directly to The Brain Cancer Centre, thanks to a partnership between Phil’s Pies and Pastries and Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer (CB4BC).
While there have been no significant improvements in treatment outcomes for the past 20 years, the family remains hopeful that it’s not always going to stay that way.
“This is about raising money and awareness to actually put brain cancer on the map—so that promising therapies in the pipeline can be brought to the bedside and made available to patients,“ Nathan said.
“There are incredible new treatments on the horizon, and supporting the people on the front lines doing the research is just vital.”
With 16 years in the bakery business, the powerful couple, Phil and Tonie, found a natural way to turn their personal battle into a force for good.
From family-run businesses to local icons, the overwhelming support has been incredible even before the big day.
When asked how much they hope to raise, the family believes “ the sky’s the limit”.
“This might have legs to go somewhere. One bakery in Portland raised $2,500 early because they’ll be overseas on May 31—that’s amazing for a single shop.
“I don’t want to put a number, but I’m hopeful that it will be impactful. This is just the beginning, and we want to make it a yearly event.”
As a Christian family, they’ve found strength in their faith and have already seen miracles.
Tonie’s tumor was small—about the size of a marble—which meant surgery didn’t leave her with lasting deficits. For many, tumors the size of mandarins and removing something that size can result in serious outcomes—like paralysis on one side of the body.
Doctors also expected Tonie would lose sensation in part of her face and shoulder due to the tumor’s location. But post-surgery, she retained full sensation—which is another miracle.
“You go through the emotions of asking, ’Why would you (God) let this happen?’ But then there are the miracles—even in the small things—that remind you God is still with you,” Nathan said.
Nathan shared that his mum’s diagnosis has completely changed their outlook on life.
“Things like this really show you what’s important in life,” the son said. “Family is everything, and having quality time together becomes even more precious—especially when there’s a high chance that time might be short.
“One of the particularly hard things with brain cancer, especially the type Mum has, is that it almost always comes back. It’s not a matter of if—it’s when, unless you’re one of the very lucky few.
“Honestly, that mindset—of appreciating every moment—is probably how we should all be living anyway. You never really know how much time you have and it’s hard to live like that. But when you’re forced to, you just have to make the most of it.”
Donate to the cause: https://www.bakingforbraincancer.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKObbpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqZkhEZ2lsOXdKOU5HZUprAR4F7wOV1l9Xs-JLKCb5_PUMhqFmQtG0x_rHORfMOBfJRBqa9ggX08rRLyF43g_aem_NK65LnVk5AzbtpR2lGGvzQ
