18th Annual NELUNE Foundation Lilac Ball held 8th September 2018

On Saturday 8th September 2018 over 550 celebrities, media, corporate and special guests joined forces at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney to raise funds for NSW public cancer patients at the 18th NELUNE Foundation Lilac Ball.

This year the black-tie gala raised a little over $1.8m. Thanks to all of our wonderful supporters, donors and friends we were given yet another opportunity to help patients fight cancer with dignity.

Thanks to all our friends and supporters the ball continues to get bigger and better. Edwina Bartholomew once again took over the reins as the MC, with Vince Sorrenti making sure everyone had a good laugh. Australia's beloved musical treasure Marcia Hines entertained the guests with a disco set.

There were amazing raffles and auction items including business class airfares to London and swimming classes from two World Champions Ian Thorpe and Cate Campbell.

The Minister for Health and Medical Research the Hon. Brad Hazzard represented the Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian and spoke positively about the importance of the work of the Foundation.

Sonia Kruger, Elka and Thomas Whalan, Petria Thomas, Annabelle Williams and Cate & Bronte Campbell and Giaan Rooney were all in attendance and helped make the night the success it was.

Optus, Samsung, Seven Network, Accolade, Lion Nathan, Westpac, Macquarie Bank, KPMG, Emirates & Tourism Australia were some of the Corporates supporting the event.

All monies raised from this year's Lilac Ball will help support cancers patients with rare and uncommon cancers, which account for 50% of cancer deaths – yet patients with less common cancers have fewer treatment options and limited access to new therapies via clinical trials. Through a partnership with the Garvan Institute of Media Research the NELUNE Foundation will support at least 30 patients through the Molecular Therapeutics and Screening Trial (MoST) – an innovative clinical trial which matches new therapies to patients with rare and uncommon cancer based on the individual molecular and genetic makeup of their tumour. Patients accessing MoST have advanced rare or uncommon cancer and, typically, have exhausted all other treatment options for their cancer. The demand for access to MoST is far higher than the government funding currently available.

Thank you to all our supporters, friends and sponsors.