Grit and Grace: ICMS COO’s dance part of record-breaking Cancer Council NSW fundraiser

A newfound love of dance and support from family and friends helped ICMS COO Cameron Stewart take to the dance floor at the recent Cancer Council NSW fundraiser Stars of the Beaches despite having badly injured his back in rehearsals.

Cameron, who had previously broken his back in an accident but recovered enough to take part in the Stars of the Beaches dance spectacle, completed his five minute Broadway routine with dance partner Katherine Ward to the cheers of a capacity 250-strong crowd at the Manly Pacific Hotel on 26 November.

Unable to complete lifts due to the injury, he mustered the strength to complete a routine that went from Queen’s anthemic We Will Rock You to Dirty Dancing’s Time of my Life* via the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Time Warp**. He ended with a flourish by riding his motorcycle off the dance floor.

The evening, and fundraising efforts preceding the gala event, raised a record $166,000 – and counting – for Cancer Council NSW’s world-class research, prevention, advocacy, and information and support.

In his personal capacity, thanks to the generosity of the ICMS community and his friends and family, Cameron raised over $12,900.

Dancing for a good cause

Cameron and Katherine were part of a line up that included nine other dance duos who performed in front of three judges: Roy Mustaca, chairman and founder of United Cinemas Australia; Professor Peter Thomas, Chief Medical Officer of Northern Beaches Hospital; and Peter Hilyard, People’s Choice winner from a previous Stars of the Beaches event.

Each dance partnership was composed of a professional dancer and a ‘non dancer’, but someone who had been impacted in some way by cancer, whether personally or through the experience of a family member or friend.

Cancer Council NSW focuses on Research, Advocacy, Prevention, Support, and is 97% community funded. Dr Antonia Pearson of the Northern Beaches Hospital spoke about the hospital’s cancer research and treatment procedures, as well as the hospital’s wig library funded by the Dee Why RSL and Northern Beaches Community Cancer Charity.

Dr Pearson provided insight into how the funds raised at the evening would be used to fund research, develop new methods of treatment as well as to assist people needing treatment in rural areas.

The Northern Beaches close-knit community showed their support from sponsoring prizes to attending the event and giving generously. Funds were raised through each Star’s own fundraisers, with one star raising upwards of $30,000; event ticket sales; raffles; silent auctions, with over $15,000 worth of items raising $5,990; and a live auction during the event featuring items such as a Bondi Getaway, Kendrick Lamar Concert Tickets, and a Club Med Resort of Your Choice among others.

To find out more about Cancer Council NSW, click here.

To read more about Cameron Stewart’s journey to the Stars of the Beaches finale, click here.

Picture credit: Stars of The beaches – Dance for Cancer Facebook

* Time of My Life: Song by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

** Time Warp: Song by Nell Campbell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O’Brien