On May 31, 2015, more than 80 bakeries from around Australia joined forces for a very special initiative: Baking for Brain Cancer.

The fundraiser was established by the Dalton family – Phil and Tonie and their children Nathan and Lauren – after Tonie was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma (GBM) in April 2024.

Phil, who also owns Phil’s Pies and Pastries in Berwick, Victoria, said their bakery alone raised just short of $35,000, and at the time of writing the total amount raised nationwide was almost $100,000.

“It’s just so rewarding. The bakeries involved were from Darwin to Northern Queensland to Perth, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales. There were so many bakeries and it was incredible,” Phil said.

“It was extremely rewarding to see the community come out, not only in Berwick, to support us and by association support the cause, but so many members from tother areas too, and to see the baking industry come together in such a way was rewarding – and that’s a massive understatement.

“[May 31] was so exciting. I can’t describe it. You had to be in the thick of it to understand.”

Through the initiative Phil’s Pies and Pastries totally sold out of stock, with the team taking the next day off to rest and recover. Phil said for his family the day was also spent with Tonie, who is recovering another surgery following a reoccurrence.

Phil said a new fundraising target has already been set for the 2026 Baking for Brain Cancer day, which will be held on the last Saturday in May to wrap up Grey May – brain cancer awareness month.

“I’ve set a goal of $50,000 next year that we raise [at Phil’s Pies and Pastries], and perhaps we can double what we raise,” he said.

All proceeds raised through Baking for Brain Cancer are being donated to Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.