Carrie Bickmore raises more than $4 million for brain cancer research
Carrie Bickmore has revealed that her charity, Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, raised more than $2.1 million in an hour on Tuesday night, when The Project hosted a special episode to launch her new range of beanies and raise money for brain cancer research.
Carrie took to Instagram to thank the people of Australia for their generosity, revealing that the charity has since raised $4 million.
"What a night," she wrote. "Thank you for your generosity, blown away, such a great night. Jump on board and let's beat brain cancer together".
Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity was established when Carrie won the Gold Logie in 2015. She took to the stage wearing a blue beanie and dedicated her award to her late husband Greg, who passed away five years earlier following a long battle with brain cancer.
It was a special but emotional episode of The Project on Tuesday night. There were laughs and entertainment, with Dave Hughes and Amanda Keller joining the panel, as well as pop sensation Portugal. The Man performing his hit song Feel It Still.
But the night took a sombre turn when Waleed and Carrie presented "the faces of brain cancer", an emotional segment that showed all the everyday people who have fought, or are currently fighting the disease.
“Brain cancer kills more people under 40 than any other cancer, more children in this country than any other disease,” Waleed said.
“Approximately 1600 Australians are diagnosed each year and out of that 1600 it is estimated that 1300 will die from the disease.
“Currently there is no cure. And it bears repeating, because it’s scandalous; survival rates have not changed in 30 years.”
Carrie explained the statistics didn't "convey the bravery, the determination and the fight of those who have battled and are currently battling brain cancer".
The mum-of-two has one simple message that she wants to spread with her charity.
“Let’s beat brain cancer together and try and save so many families from extraordinary pain,” she wrote.
Beanies and caps, which retail for $29.95 for adults, and $24.95 for kids, are available at Cotton On or by visiting Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.