The supermarket chain leading the charge on the high seas for brain cancer research
2025-05-03
The SS Pirate Day is just one of many ships in a fleet that’s set a course for a world without brain cancer. Early learning centres, offices and retail stores across Australia sign up their crews and help us raise money for vital brain cancer research. Diagnosed in 2015, Fred is now in remission but still dealing with the long-lasting side effects from his battle with medulloblastoma, the most common type of childhood brain cancer.
Pirate Day, held on Friday 16 May as part of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, raises funds for childhood brain cancer research. Pre-schools, offices and workplaces sign up and dress up as a pirate, and ask their community for donations to change the lives of kids with brain cancer – regarded as one of the hardest and most aggressive cancers to treat.
One particular crew, Retail Management Group, has gone from strength to strength since it signed up in 2022, raising over $18,000 for brain cancer research. RMG’s collection of stores includes Yackandandah Foodworks, Rutherglen IGA, Holbrook IGA, Yarrawonga Cellabrations, Baranduda IGA and Thirsty Camel Wodonga.
RMG Operations Manager, Michael Bye, says it all started with the want to do more for a community affected by the brutal disease.
"We had a couple of team members with family members going through childhood cancer at the time,” he says.
“We realised it was something close to the community’s heart and found Pirate Day. Its mission resonated with our core values and what we wanted to achieve, and so the partnership began."
Michael says the Yackandandah Foodworks store is firmly at the forefront of the Pirate Day festivities.
"It’s our biggest highlight. Yackandandah gets fully on board and involves the community, turning it into a huge event. It's incredible to see the town come together, give, and donate to such a great cause."
RMG’s already planning their Pirate Day for 2025, with their employees ready to go overboard for brain cancer!
"This year, we're aiming for $15,000. Yackandandah is planning something fun to help reach the goal—some team members will walk the plank if they hit their fundraising target,” Michael says.
“We'll either set it up at the local pool or create something at the store where they can walk the plank into a pool of water. It's going to be great!"
When asked about why other businesses and workplaces should sign up for Pirate Day, Michael believes it’s straightforward.
"I think it's extremely important to put brain cancer in the spotlight and to keep pushing to find a cure and research better ways to treat such a devastating disease.
“Days like these are fantastic for promoting the incredible work organisations are doing to raise awareness and funds."
Pirate Day is the ideal way to support the 120 kids diagnosed with brain cancer each year. Simply sign up your crew, prep your costume and plan your day – spreading the word to help raise donations to a meaningful cause.
For all things Pirate Day in 2025 and how you can get involved, hit the button below.