One million punches for WA kids with cancer.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
One million punches for WA kids with cancer.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
PCHF’s Punching for a Cure 2026 delivered a knockout result, with more than one million punches thrown and over $300,000 raised to support childhood cancer research and care at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH).
The second annual Punching for a Cure, held at Rumble Boxing Subiaco, brought together 400 participants across 60 teams to smash the ambitious one-million-punch target, raising over $311,440 for childhood cancer research and care.
High-profile participants included Olympic boxer Yusuf Chothia, the Hon. Minister John Carey, Hockeyroo Abby Wilson, former Wallabies star Nic White, and PCHF mascot, Stitches the Bear.
Among the many inspiring teams was the Pitts family, Danika (10), Georgia (13), and Matilda (15), who are all living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a condition that can cause tumours to grow on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Their mum, Tash Pitts, said: “Having seen two very different experiences of cancer – Danika, who had much gentler treatments, and Matilda, who needed chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy and surgery – shows just how different that journey can be.”
There’s still time to make an impact. Fundraising closes Tuesday, March 31, and every dollar helps drive life-saving cancer research and care. Support the Pitts family team, Triple Knockout.
While survival rates have improved to around 80%, cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among Australian children, highlighting the critical need for continued investment.
The heavyweights behind the fight: Imagine Cruising Australia.
For a second year, award-winning travel company Imagine Cruising returned as Heavyweight Sponsor, once again generously doubling participant fundraising to maximise impact for kids and families who need it most.
A long-standing supporter of PCHF, Imagine Cruising has contributed more than $386,000 to vital programs across WA over the past seven years, from respiratory research to diabetes pumps and specialist equipment for neonatal emergency transport.
Imagine Cruising Managing Director Australasia Alex Sirman said: “After supporting so many inspiring programs through PCHF, it’s a privilege to also support Punching for a Cure and contribute to the life-changing kids’ cancer research it funds.”
2026 Champions.
- Top fundraiser: Westforce Construction ($23,768 raised)
- Highest punch count: DDR Australia & RC Construction (25,798 punches)
- Expansion of clinical trials
- Establishing Australia’s first Aboriginal-led childhood cancer research program
- Training the next generation of paediatric oncology and research leaders
- Investment in cutting-edge equipment and technology
Members of the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre team were also punching for better treatments, including Professor Nick Gottardo, Dr Meegan Howlett, Associate Professor Raelene Endersby, Dr Santosh Valvi, Xueting Ye, William Burdett-Derby.
In a first for the event, regional satellite teams also joined the fight from across WA, including MACA’s Duketon site in the Goldfields and AngloGold Ashanti’s Tropicana site.
A huge thank you to our sponsors.
