A Bloody Good Night

$710k raised at the Bloody Good Dinner

After a more than two-year interlude and three reschedules, the Bloody Good Dinner finally returned in November 2022. Guests were welcomed to the spectacular Botanica Marquee in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, where they feasted on a glorious banquet inspired by the Mediterranean roots of the extremely talented NOMAD Executive Chef, Jacqui Challinor. The team at Blakes Feast once again, generously and expertly cared for and catered to our 300 guests who enjoyed the delights of the menu in the stylish surrounds, all provided by our incredibly generous event partners and sponsors.

A botanical experience

NOMAD and Blakes Feast creating Jacqui Challinor's menu

MC Hamish McLachlan hosted the event and our speakers included John Salvaris, Snowdome Foundation Chairman, Ed Kemp, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision (MRV) Chairman and special guest, Grace Joukhadar.

John Salvaris, Snowdome Chairman

Jacqui Challinor and Hamish McLachlan

Grace shared the heartbreaking story of her daughter Raya’s leukaemia diagnosis and treatment journey at the tender age of just four years old. Her journey involved 220 doses of steroids, 145 nights in hospital, 100 rounds of chemotherapy, 16 bone marrow biopsies, six total body radiation treatments and a bone marrow transplant. In 2021, Raya was finally declared in remission. Guests rejoiced in this news and further celebrated when they were given the opportunity to meet the now five-year-old Raya in a recorded interview with Hamish.

Grace illuminated the critical importance of funding blood cancer research, and specifically the Snowdome research that is the beneficiary of money raised at the dinner; the RAVEN project. RAVEN is a clinical trial for children with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The most common type of cancer in children. The trial offers immediate access to the promising new combination treatment Venetoclax and Navitoclax, bringing hope to these patients and their families.

The Bloody Good Dinner is a collaboration between the Snowdome Foundation and MRV, raising much needed funds for blood cancer and bone marrow failure syndrome research. This year, $710,000 was raised through the generosity of our donors, far exceeding our expectations. We pass on our heartfelt thanks to our guests, partners, sponsors, volunteers , Chair Pennie Callaghan and the Bloody Good Dinner Committee for once again helping to raise much-needed funds for blood cancer research.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our major event partners who helped to make the night truly special; Blakes Feast, NOMAD, Dann Event Hire, Town Square and Décor It. We are so fortunate to be supported by these wonderful companies and individuals who donated their time, expertise, products and services. Thank you. For a full list of our amazing event partners, sponsors and partners, please see page 44.