Baking For Brain Cancer
Our Story
Baking For Brain Cancer began as an idea whilst having our family dinner one evening.
Life had turned upside down in April 2024, when Tonie, our beautiful Mum and wife, was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive brain cancer.
Compared with incredible progress in other forms of cancer, the survival of patients with GBM has not improved in 30 years. Shockingly, brain cancer kills more children than any other disease and more people under the age of 40 die from it than any other form of cancer in Australia.
Despite this, brain cancer researchers often find themselves struggling for funding, having to waste precious time applying for essential financial support instead of spending time in the lab.
With this in mind, we thought about how to rally the community to support brain cancer research. We truly believe we never would have made it this far without God's help. We also never want for another family to go through what we are going through.
We've operated a small family bakery for the last twenty years, so an idea came easily enough: let's start baking for brain cancer!
It's been our privilege to be part of our local community in Berwick over the years: supporting our customers, participating in school fundraisers, and running pie drives for the local footy club. We've seen the joy that great pies and pastries can bring – be it a meat pie or a vanilla slice – and reckon that people would get around their local bakery in support of a great cause.
From Tonie: This pathway that has been before me the last number of months has been challenging in different ways. However, it has helped me realise the importance of trying to make a difference in other people’s lives. This fundraiser is one small way we are trying to help other families who have to endure what we are going through. I also want to share with you how important my faith has been in this difficult time. I have had an inner peace through trusting in God, and pray that you might know this peace, too. I would like to share this verse with you, from John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
~Many blessings from Phil, Tonie, Lauren and Nathan (Phil’s Pies and Pastries, Berwick, VIC)
2026: Bigger and Better!
In 2025, we had the immense privilege of seeing over 75 bakeries and cafes across Australia rally together to help raise over $120,000. We were truly blown away by the support we received, and we've teamed up with an amazing group of people to make it even better in 2026!
Our hope is that Baking for Brain Cancer 2026, on Saturday, May 30, can bring positive change for good in this world. We need your help to unite bakeries across Australia, and the communities around them, in the fight against brain cancer.
Where Your Money Goes
To get your money to where it needs to go, we have teamed up with Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer (CB4BC). All money raised during the event supports researchers at The Brain Cancer Centre (visit www.thebraincancercentre.org.au for more info).
Every bakery-nominated product purchased during our annual event – every vanilla slice or meat pie that you buy – will be directly supporting innovative research projects, clinical trials, and improving treatment options for brain cancer patients. All money raised helps to fund critical research and brings us closer to finding a cure.
Join Us
Whether you're a baker, business owner, or community member, there are many ways to get involved. Visit our website at www.bakingforbraincancer.com to learn how you can contribute to this important cause.
My Achievements
Fundraising page
Updated Profile Pic
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Reached Goal
Increased Target
Thank you to my Sponsors
$14k
Sandy Bake Shop
$3.85k
Vicki Nickl
$2.92k
North End Bakehouse
$2.89k
A1 Bakery
$2.64k
Anonymous
In memory of loved ones affected by brain cancer and in support of those currently fighting. It was amazing to see so much support from our community on Saturday 30th of May we will continue to do this every year going forward.
$2.52k
Sourdough Bakehouse Portland
Huge Thank you to the Portland community for getting behind this important cause!
$2.5k
Holmesglen Holmesglen
$2.5k
Donald Bakery
Hi guys happy to help. If we could receipt of payment that would be great for tax purposes.
$2.37k
Paul The Pieman Bakery
$2.35k
Porter Avenue Pies & Cakes
On behalf of everyone at Porter Avenue Pies & Cakes, thank you for creating an initiative that brings communities together and unites the baking industry behind a cause to raise valuable funds that are directed towards vital brain cancer research, helping to improve treatments, outcomes, and hope for those affected by this devastating diagnosis.
$2.08k
Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre
$2k
Moffat Pty Limited
$2k
Parahills Hot Bread Bakery
$1.97k
Wandin Bakery
We had a great day yesterday raising money with the community for a great cause.
$1.3k
Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes
$1.27k
Dana Patisserie
Thank you for including us in this amazing cause.
$1.16k
Keith Bakery Keith Bakery
$1.05k
Emmas Bakery
$1,000
Hulms Bakery Colac
We are so pleased with our staff & community getting behind this vital research project! We at Hulms Bakery Colac are honoured to be a part of this cause!
$1,000
Pete's Village Bakery
$875.60
Deniliquin Bakery
$792.40
O'haras Clunes Cafe Bakery
Thankyou so much for organising such a wonderful event! We look forward to next year!
$774.85
Goodwood Bakeshop
$733
Huskisson Bakehouse Group
Thanks for all our customers for their amazing support with our Baking for Brain Cancer promotion. Your support means everything to us.
$667.77
Margot & Montanez
Three emerging pastry chefs, one shared cause. We baked, laughed and raised funds for brain cancer research. Honoured to have been part of such a meaningful fundraiser.
$660.47
Marcianos Latin Bakehouse
$529
Christine Harney
This is for my son Steven who died on 1st Jan 2026. He Had a stage 4 Brain tumour and only lived 14 months after it was discovered. He left a wife and two teenager children. It has been heart breaking for the family and friends.
$529
Charlotte
$520
Toogood Bakery
Baking for Brain Cancer 2026!!!! 🧠
$500
Jon Watt
Gladly supporting a great cause to find a cure for such a brutal disease.
$500
Meaghan Watt
Supporting a wonderful cause and well done Phil, Toni , Lauren and family for raising awareness for such a devastating disease.
$365.07
Brown Sugar Bakery
$318.90
North End Bakehouse
Think Tank auctioned BFBC hat
$318.90
Coogee Beach Bakery
$278.75
Taurie Jackson (mauri)
$267.25
Island Pies Bakery
Honoured to be part of Baking for Brain Cancer 2026.
$267.25
Beachside Bakehouse
Baking a difference $1 at a time 💕
$250
Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery
Think Thank Auction
$240.90
Dernancourt Bakehouse
$215
Vicki Layfield
Thankyou for doing this
$215
Just Roll With It Huntlee
$215 raised from our small microbakery. Just ROLL with it Huntlee! Thank you for the work you do to make a different for brain cancer.
$210.20
Linda K
$200
Josh Sequeira
Homesglen Erica Hot cross buns were delicious Yummy
$200
Shona Gordon
Well done on another year of baking for brain cancer. All the Doctors and Staff have Tonie in our thoughts.
$162.75
Heavenly Pies&cakes
$106.12
Asha Sequeira
Got a flyer through a chef at Holmesglen during Good Friday
$106.12
Biddick’s Bakery
Supporting you all the way... can't wait to be part of this wonderful and important initiative again this year!
$106.12
Tammy Sturdy
Go Bec and the team at Ottimo
$106.12
Matt T
$106.12
Your Pack
Great cause Good luck
$106.12
Gwf
$106.12
Sandra (mauri)
Thanks for being amazing!
$106.12
Hugo Kruik- Mauri
$106.12
Bill Pantelidis(mauri)
what’s fantastic initiative. Thank you Taurie
$106.12
Enza Cannizzaro
Donation in memory of my brother Fabio Marino
$106.12
Morrissey's
$106.12
Denis Watson
$106.12
Louise Patterson
Inspiring, my husband was a baker that died from pancreatic cancer last year, he would have loved this concept
$106.12
Julian Harris
We lost a brother in law to brain cancer 2 years ago
$106.12
Mavis Kilpatrick
Love from Mavis and John and Lois .
$106.12
Anonymous
$106.12
Yongle T
$106.12
Beryl Aitken
Love your work! 🙏❤️
$106.12
Slf
$106.12
Ssdl
$106.12
Lydia Kemp
$100
Erica & Erica's Mum
Thanks so much :)
$100
Marc Cannella
$100
Shannon Stopher
$80.96
Brett Swinney
Great to see you guys raising money for important cause!
$75
V Lyons
$60.13
Cannoli Boss
God Bless !!
$60
Cb
$56.96
Anonymous
$54.84
Savitha Vinod
Great work
$54.84
Maria Bruce
In Memory of Great Grandson Davion Maher on his Birthday with lots of love from Nanna and Poppop John Bruce xxx
$54.84
Lena Pye
$54.84
Nicola Owens
$54.84
James Brodribb
Good luck today
$54.84
Maureen Kurzman
Well done
$54.84
Samantha Allum
Let’s all help beat this together
$54.84
Lorraine Scott
Congratulations on amazing project good luck with your fund raising
$54.84
Anonymous
$54.84
Andy Shanley
Well done guys
$54.84
Emily Polkinghorn
$54.84
Anonymous
$54.84
Jade Smith
$54.84
Anonymous
$54.84
Anonymous
$54.84
Judday
supporting my dear friend 9 months since first seizure hope he has along life 🙏🥲
$54.84
Gerard Tan
$54.84
Ken & Wendy Mcgivern
$50
Paula Reid
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to donate
$50
Anonymous
$34.96
Kym Talbot
$28.43
Caroline
$28.43
Anonymous
A great initiative, best wishes to all challenged with this.
$28.43
Mauri
$28.43
Scott Harrington - Mauri
$28.43
Andrew Pin
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Lesley Lindsay
$28.43
Sharon Murrell
$28.43
Karen Curmi
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Jenny Harris
Keep up the great work. All the best for your amazing mum xx
$28.43
Sonya Gibson
In memory of my husband who we lost to brain cancer in 2022.
$28.43
Anonymous
Amazing!!! Keep up the good fund raising!!
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
The Simpsons
$28.43
Kristina Townsend
Well done, keep up the great work.
$28.43
Lucy Hawthorne
$28.43
Wendy Millard
$28.43
Anonymous
$28.43
Penny Ntai
Such an amazing course. 🙏
$28.43
Huskisson Bakehouse Group
Husky Bakehouse Group - takings donation $733 Big shout out to our amazing community for their support with our Baking for Brain Cancer Saturday.
$27.83
Anonymous
$25
Anonymous
Great job everyone involved and keep up the good job!
$23.50
Julie Young
Very worthy cause! Every little bit helps to find a cure
$23.50
Sam B
Amazing cause ❤️ Good luck 🙌
$20
Liz Wills
$20
Bec Boyd
$17.66
Thera Storie
Bought biscuits at my local school
$17.66
Anonymous
Biscuits from school donation
$17.66
Anonymous
$17.16
Anonymous
$15
Cannoli Boss
$12.26
Anonymous
$11.80
Ricky Singh
$11.80
Catherine Radburnd
Supporting Primary @ Pioneers Park Cafe in Berwick
$11.80
Jen Singline
Wonderful cause
$11.80
Anonymous
$11.80
Anonymous
$10
Anonymous
$10
Anonymous
$6.20
Keep up the good fight xx