TV host breaks down on air after raising $1 million for cancer research
Carrie Bickmore is overwhelmed by the support 'Beanies 4 Brain Cancer' has received.
By Elise Cooper on August 15, 2016
Australian media personality Carrie Bickmore became overcome with emotion after raising AU$1 million for cancer research. Credit: FilmMagic
Australian media personality Carrie Bickmore was overwhelmed with emotion Monday night, revealing that her foundation raised over AU$1 million ($767,350) for brain cancer research on TV show The Project.
Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer(Opens in a new window) is a deeply personal pursuit for the Bickmore, as her late husband Greg Lange(Opens in a new window) passed away from brain cancer in 2010.
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Having reached her fundraising goal, Bickmore told the audience she was overwhelmed by the public's support. "I don't know any of you, but I feel like I know you all so thank you very, very much."
Bickmore teared up when photos of all those supporting the cause merged, forming a collated image of Lange.
"The image we're about to see now, that is of my late husband, Greg, and he is the reason that I did this," Bickmore said.
"I want to say to anybody who is suffering from brain cancer right now, we will use this money and we will use it to try and make your future brighter, so that is what I promise you we'll do." Bickmore vowed.
Bickmore also thanked those who had purchased the beanies or donated to the foundation via Facebook, and expressed her shock and embarrassment that they had initially not had enough beanies to meet demand.
While the foundation is currently sold out of beanies, the website is still accepting donations, and Bickmore vowed to order "three times as many beanies," to handle the demand.
Prior to establishing the foundation in November of 2015(Opens in a new window), Bickmore brought her cause to Australia's TV awards ceremony, the Logies. Winning the prestigious Gold Logie Award(Opens in a new window), she used her acceptance speech as an opportunity to don a beanie in the name of awareness.
The video posted to YouTube was quickly shared and re-shared on social media. The speech kicks off at the 4:54 mark.
Elise Cooper
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