$3.375m final tally for My Room Telethon

Nine’s My Room Telethon, held last Thursday, has raised a final figure of $3,375,928 in the fight for a cure for childhood cancer.

With further donations over the weekend, the final tally broke the record which the Footy Show has staged every year since 2016.

Maurizio Marcocci, Chairman, and Margaret Zita OAM, CEO of My Room, said: “On behalf of everyone at My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, we are so grateful with the ongoing support from everyone that donated to the Telethon this year. We were also blown away by My Room ambassador Kane Cornes who ran from Adelaide to Melbourne to raise awareness and funds for My Room.

“Not only did Kane complete the run, he has raised the much needed awareness for My Room and childhood cancer. He also touched the lives of children and families he met along the way who will forever remember their incredible encounter with this legend.

“At My Room, we were blown away by the generosity. We’ve come a long way since our humble beginnings of wanting to renovate the rooms of the cancer ward, as we continue to support families, fund clinical care, medical equipment, research and trials that we hope will lead us to our goal.

“The record-breaking amount of $3,375,928 could not have been possible without the generosity of our loyal business networks, pro bono partners, corporate donors, My Room ambassadors and the amazing team at Nine, including the talent who have given My Room Children’s Cancer Charity such a voice. 

“Most importantly, a big thank you to the public for their generosity, and to the bravery of the patients who told their stories from Monash Children’s Hospital – it is for all children that we continue to work towards a 100 per cent cure rate. We will now forge forward to ensure that we get this money where it is needed. The children will have the best treatment they deserve in this country, as well as supporting them on their journey. Together we are definitely making a difference.”

Managing Director of Nine Melbourne, Matt James, said: “Our Melbourne team are very proud to be part of this year’s record-breaking result for The Footy Show Grand: My Room Telethon. In particular, we would like to thank Kane Cornes for his incredible achievement in running from Adelaide to Melbourne.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of My Room’s supporters and volunteers, corporate partners, and the public who have donated to help fight childhood cancer.”

The Sunday Footy Show host Tony Jones, along with Nathan Brown, Matthew Lloyd, Damian Barrett and Kane Cornes, were joined by Lauren Phillips and Clint Stanaway for a jam-packed television spectacular that smashed the previous fundraising results for the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.

The My Room Telethon has now raised a grand total of $13,964,549 over seven years. The money donated this year will again go straight towards striving for better outcomes for children with cancer, including clinical research projects, improving the quality of patient and family care, and supporting the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre.

AFL Grand Final coaches Chris Scott and John Longmire joined the Telethon to give an insight into last-minute preparations for their teams less than 48 hours before the big game. And there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we shared the moving stories of four patients from Monash Children’s Hospital. 

Plus, Kane Cornes heroically finished his 725-kilometre marathon run from Adelaide to Melbourne live in-studio, with the help of My Room patients Luka and Isla. Kane’s Run raised $362,528, a figure also set to rise with the pledge from Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield to auction off his premiership-winning jumper for the cause. 

During the Telethon footy fans laughed along as TJ raised $300,000 by diving into a giant tank of water and collecting money tokens with his teeth, all in the name of charity. They were also treated to a performance from Australia’s number one Robbie Williams impersonator, and an eating challenge curated by My Room ambassador Shane Delia.

Donations can still be made at www.myroom.com.au.