Sony Foundation’s Wharf4Ward 2025 marked a significant milestone, celebrating 15 years of raising critical funds for young Australians with cancer.
Returning to Woolloomooloo Wharf, the event brought together Australia’s biggest names in media, entertainment, and business, raising a record-breaking $1.6 million to support regional youth cancer patients through the You Can Stay program.
Launched in 2010, the You Can initiative has transformed youth cancer care across Australia, ensuring adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 29 receive specialised, age-appropriate support. Over the past 15 years, Sony Foundation has donated nearly $18 million to fund the construction of five You Can youth cancer centres, as well as accommodation for regional youth cancer patients and specialist research.
Despite these advancements, Minister Butler noted in December 2024 that 25 percent of youth cancer patients requiring inpatient care still fall through the cracks. One in three youth cancer patients comes from regional areas, and they are 1.3 times more likely to die from cancer than their city counterparts.
Sony Foundation CEO Sophie Ryan-McPhee highlighted the urgent need to close this gap.
“Our young people are falling through the cracks. Regional youth cancer patients often have to relocate to the city for months at a time to access lifesaving cancer treatment. The financial, emotional, and mental burden is overwhelming.
“You Can Stay ensures they have a home away from home, giving them stability in a time of great uncertainty. It’s an absolute lifeline for young patients and their families, and thanks to the collective generosity of our corporate and media partners, we can continue to bridge the gap in youth cancer care,” said Ms Ryan-McPhee.
For the 15th time, Wharf4Ward transformed Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf into a premier fundraising event, with guests treated to world-class performances by Grentperez, Human Nature, and Tierney Brothers, as well as an exclusive performance from the cast of MJ the Musical, presented by Michael Cassell Group.
The event was hosted by some of Australia’s most recognisable media personalities, including Karl Stefanovic, Peter Overton, Richard Wilkins, Matt Shirvington, Natalie Barr, Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald, Stuart Gregor, Jaynie Seal, Sally Obermeder, and Tim Blackwell. They were joined by international and local celebrity guests, including Daisy Fuentes, Richard Marx, Ronan Keating, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Alison Langdon, Peter Stefanovic, Melissa Hoyer, Rodger Corser, and the cast of Australian Idol.
With over 100 leading media and corporate companies putting aside competition to unite for a common cause – including Nine, Seven, NOVA, ARN, Paramount, News Corp, JCDecaux, oOh!media, QMS, Sky News, Val Morgan, Amazon, SBS, and WIN TV – this year’s Wharf4Ward proved once again why it’s one of the most powerful philanthropic events in Australia.
The $1.6 million raised will directly fund You Can Stay, a program providing free and uncapped accommodation for regional youth cancer patients and their families who must travel to major cities for lifesaving treatment. Since its launch in 2020, Sony Foundation has provided over 32,000 nights of accommodation to young Australians battling cancer.
One of those beneficiaries is 21-year-old Grace Kennedy from Shellharbour, who was diagnosed with a rare paediatric brain cancer and forced to relocate to Sydney for over six months of intensive treatment. Thanks to You Can Stay, Grace and her family have received over 200 nights of free accommodation, eliminating the financial strain of travel and giving her the stability to focus on her recovery.
“Luckily someone at Wollongong Hospital knew of a doctor in Sydney that had treated children with this rare cancer. I felt the most secure having all my treatment in Sydney, where there was a team that understood my type of cancer. But this meant having to travel more than four hours each day for radiotherapy and being alone in a hospital bed far away from home.
“My family was committed to getting me the best treatment, but the price of petrol alone would be far beyond what we could afford. This is when we were told about Sony Foundation’s You Can Stay program. We couldn’t believe it. A bright light had appeared through all the darkness ahead.
“The support of You Can Stay is why I stand before you today. It created a safe and secure environment away from the hospital. It meant my mum was able to be with me each day. Through every needle, infection, and unknown, I had my family and friends close,” said Ms Kennedy.