Meet Skye Chalmers
SCHF Community Relationship Manager

Sky Chalmers SCH

Sky Chalmers SCHMy name is Skye Chalmers and I am fortunate enough to have been working at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) for the past 11 years. At SCHF we focus on funding new equipment and technology, supporting art, music and play education activities, improving physical spaces within the Hospitals and funding groundbreaking research across Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Bear Cottage, NETS and Kids Research.
We have reimagined our purpose and committed to a bold new purpose: Healthy kids- whatever it takes. We want to deliver extraordinary outcomes for children’s health and wellbeing so todays kids can live their best lives and tomorrow’s kids will have access to infinite possibilities.

In my role as Community Relationship Manager, I have the honour of supporting passionate, enthusiastic community groups like Dainere’s Rainbow in their journey to raise funds and awareness for SCHF. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Dainere’s Rainbow team they have raised over $500,000 to date for critical Brain Tumour research led by Associate Professor David Ziegler at the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Funding for research projects depends on vital support provided by community groups like Dainere’s Rainbow to ensure patients receive the best chance of a cure with minimal treatment side effects and it provides hope for future generations of Australian children and their families.

I have really enjoyed working with Dainere’s Rainbow over the years and look forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come. Their unwavering support, passion and enthusiasm to fund Brain Tumour research is unparalleled and I am sure that the best is yet to come.

Pot Of Gold Initiative From Dainere for Childhood Cancer Awareness Today and Beyond

Pot Of Gold Initiative From Dainere For Childhood Cancer Awareness Today And Beyond

Pot Of Gold Initiative From Dainere For Childhood Cancer Awareness Today And BeyondThese are inspiring and selfless words shared by Dainere:

“In our lives we often underestimate the true power of a smile, a touch, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment and the act of just simply caring. These all have the potential to turn a life around; tomorrow and everyday take the time to reach out and change a life”.

We would like to invite you to be part of working towards a more prominent and widespread Golden September 2022 for Childhood Cancer by continuing to elevate awareness about Childhood Cancer and especially brain cancer within the Community each and every day.

This is a very special project that Dainere requested and one that we hope will reach far and wide and beyond all expectations……. ‘Pot of Gold’ for Childhood Cancer.

At the end of every rainbow is a pot of gold and from today onwards you can be a rainbow of hope in the lives of children diagnosed with cancer…… start saving gold coins and collect them in your ‘Pot of Gold’ all the way through until 30th September 2022. Then visit the Dainere’s Rainbow website and hit the donate button to make a difference.

Your ‘Pot of Gold’ will go a very long way in working towards the most precious gift in this world…..the reality of a cure!

Canberra’s Haunted Chop Shop Halloween Display 2021 – Ngunnawal ACT

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Brain Cancer Awareness Day

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Brain Cancer Awareness DayFingers crossed we aren’t in lockdown any longer than planned.

We have 20kgs of lollies & hundreds of prizes ready to go for our Creepy Carnival.

This year we are again raising funds, by collecting gold coin donations, for the amazing Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund.

Dainere’s Rainbow are dedicated to elevating vital awareness and raising crucial funds for Australian Research to improve outcomes for every child 0-19 diagnosed with a paediatric brain tumour.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Brain Cancer Awareness Day

In 2019, Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, proclaimed 26 September as Australia’s annual Childhood Brain Cancer Awareness Day.

The aim of this day is to raise public awareness of the impact of childhood brain cancer on these precious children and their families and to highlight the importance of childhood brain cancer research.

Each year on this day there is a focus on one form of childhood brain cancer and for 2021 it is Medulloblastoma. The type of brain cancer that Dainere was diagnosed with and that stole her young life, along with the lives of many other Australian Children.

Medulloblastoma is the second most common type of childhood cancer of the central nervous system. It accounts for 13 percent of cases of brain cancer cases.

Tragically, incidence rates of Medulloblastoma have increased by 1.4 percent per year on average over the past three decades.

While this may sound like a small percentage increase, in total it equates to a shocking 58 percent increase over a 35-year period.

Sadly, the reasons behind this trend are unclear: advances in diagnostic technology and increasing population may very slightly contribute.

Heartbreakingly, survival for medulloblastoma still severely falls behind many other types of childhood cancer.

Global Childhood Cancer Facts for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

This year approximately 400,000 children globally will be diagnosed with cancer and about 100,000 children will die from cancer. These figures are most likely higher due to the many cases that remain uncounted and unreported. And with the global pandemic these numbers will certainly be impacted.
(World Health Organisation)

  • 400,000 Children are diagnosed with cancer every year
  • 100,000 Children die from cancer every year
  • Brain Cancer kills more children than any other disease worldwide
  • Childhood cancer does not discriminate any child can get it
  • The cause of most childhood cancer is still unknown
  • Childhood cancer is grossly underfunded
  • 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer will die within 5 years
  • Childhood cancer is not one disease, there are 16 major types of cancer with hundreds of subtypes,
  • While some cancers like leukemia have a 90% five year survival rate others particularly brain cancer have a 0% survival rate.
  • Treatment times vary from a few months to many years, there are children who spend their whole life in treatment.
  • 90% of children who survive cancer suffer long-term effects
  • The incident rate of childhood cancer is increasing
  • Childhood cancer is not one disease there are 16 major types

Telstra Tower in Canberra Lights Up Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Telstra Tower In Canberra Lights Up Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Telstra Tower In Canberra Lights Up Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness MonthWith our heartfelt and humble gratitude to Telstra Tower Canberra for helping turn September Golden by lighting the Tower Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

We hope that Telstra Tower being illuminated Gold will shine a light on childhood cancer, which is what Dainere so selflessly, inspiringly and passionately continually advocated for during her short lifetime.

Thinking of all the children battling, the survivors and those who have had their lives stolen to childhood cancer.

The photograph of Dainere is from a treasured day that our family visited Telstra Tower as part of Dainere’s ‘special list’ and together we experienced Dainere’s joy at being able to appreciate, acknowledge and view her birthplace from the iconic and majestic Tower.

You’re the Stars Trivia Gala 2021 Report

Thank you! You’re the stars Trivia Gala 2021 raised $25,955

On Saturday 19 June 2021, over 250 guests attended the Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund’s You’re the Stars Trivia Gala event at the QT, Canberra.


After not being able to hold our annual gala event in 2020 due to COVID-19, in 2021 we held our first ever “You’re The Stars” Trivia Gala. This theme was chosen to show our supporters that they are the “stars”; to thank them for their support and shine a light on them as the “stars” of the evening.

We are very thankful to our supporters and happy to announce that $25,955.00 was raised from our “You’re The Stars” Trivia Gala.


People really got into the spirit of the night, with many going to great effort with their costumes and interpreting the theme in different and interesting ways. There were photographs taken on the red carpet on arrival as people entered the room, which was staged with lighting by Eclipse Lighting and Sound to add a colourful ambiance to the room.

Once everyone was seated the wonderful Michael Bower MC announced for people to look under their dinner plates as there was a lucky door prize for not just one person, but one person on each table. Special thanks to Mel’s Massage for kindly donating the many lucky door prizes. We had lots of fun challenging ourselves with the trivia questions and Michael did a great job hosting the evening.

During the evening we took time to watch a special slideshow about Dainere and reflected on Dainere and all the children who inspire us to continue to work towards finding a cure for paediatric brain tumours.

There was a lot of interest in the silent auction, live auction, raffle and merchandise for sale and we remain thankful to our partners who made generous donations and our supporters who purchased raffle tickets, made donations and bid generously on items.

Much fun was had dancing to the sounds of Baby Boss Groove. It certainly was a sight to see the various characters from Disney, Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, classic movies and various others dancing together.

So many people commented on the love and support in the room, it really was a great “vibe”. An aim of the evening was to reconnect with old friends and make new friends and we certainly achieved that. The Dainere’s Rainbow family are humbled by the love, support and generosity of all who attended. We look forward to coming together again to raise awareness and much-needed funds for paediatric brain tumour research. 100% of all funds raised go to Associate Professor Ziegler, at The Sydney Children’s Hospital, to continue his inspirational work making a difference for children and families.

Monique Mendez Dainere’s Rainbow Committee Member

International Childhood Cancer Day 15th February

International Childhood Cancer Day 15th February

Childhood cancer does not have a face until it is someone you love. Every year around the globe there are more than 400,000 children aged 0-19 diagnosed with cancer.  It is not simply one disease, there are sixteen major types with hundreds of subtypes.  Tragically there are thousands more children that are never diagnosed and never given the opportunity for treatment. It is devastating that every two minutes, somewhere in the world a family hears the painful and life altering words that their child has been diagnosed with cancer.

Did you know?

  • 95% of children who survive cancer suffer long-term effects
  • 80% of children who survive cancer will have severe or life-threatening conditions.
  • Childhood cancer does not discriminate any child can get it.
  • Childhood cancer is globally grossly underfunded.
  • The incident rate of childhood cancer is increasing.
  • The cause of most childhood cancer is still unknown, there are no preventions.
  • 80,000 Children die from cancer every year.
  • Brain Cancer is the largest childhood cancer killer globally

International Childhood Cancer Day 15th February

Words From Associate Professor Ziegler

Dr Z New

Dr Z NewThese are words from Associate Professor Ziegler who heads the dedicated, devoted and extraordinary team of researchers that Dainere’s Rainbow work directly with and support.

“I think there is nothing more cruel or unjust in the world than to see a child die at a young age from an incurable disease. It remains a sad and devastating fact that brain tumours, as a group, are the number one disease causing the most deaths in childhood. Every week around Australia, three young children, just like Dainere will die of a brain tumour. This is just not good enough”.

To make a difference and help elevate crucial awareness which is vital to more knowledge, education, support, understanding and funding we would be forever grateful if you would so kindly spread the word through workplace, sporting, educational, family and social media networks about Dainere’s Rainbow, Dainere’s Story and the incredible and tireless work of the research team.

Dainere’s Rainbow Christmas Lights of Hope and Joy 2020

Dainere’s Rainbow Christmas Lights Of Hope And Joy 2020 1

Continuing Dainere’s most inspiring legacy at Christmas Time to bring smiles, joy, hope and Christmas Spirit to the Community over the Festive Season, the Dainere’s Rainbow Christmas Lights of Hope and Joy 2020 took place from 1st to 24th December.

Due to the COVID pandemic, the lights had to take a very different form than in previous years, to keep those visiting the display safe and to meet local requirements there was signage, sanitiser, the display was roped off and Santa and Mrs Claus sadly were not able to visit the display.

Despite the challenges that 2020 brought everyone, the display was one that saw many excited families visit, some people who attend every year and others were new faces.  There were expressions of joy, many smiles and gratitude as the lights shone ever so brightly across the Gungahlin landscape over December.

The Display still had some original lights and items that Dainere herself had made or purchased, along with some new additions to the display including the star attraction, a five metre tall inflatable reindeer.  There was a craft and gift stall, activity packs for the children to take away with them and a new initiative of selecting a beautiful gift from a box and choosing what you would like to pay for it.

We wish to express our most sincere and humble gratitude to all those who visited the light display and commented on how special it was.  The display was able to bring the precious gift of hope to children diagnosed with brain tumours through the kindness and generosity of those who made a donation, selected a gift or purchased from the stall.

Over the Christmas period Dainere’s Rainbow were overwhelmed and extremely touched to receive some extremely meaningful donations from an extraordinary family who chose to make a donation to a charity in lieu of gifts.  They have a radiant light of human kindness burning ever so brightly within their hearts to do this.

After visiting the Christmas Lights Display and reading about Dainere’s story, three children Izaac, Madi and Alysha saved their coins and donated them in a Dainere’s Rainbow coin box they had received in activity packs with a card and beautiful message of “we hope the children suffering from brain cancer can also have a Merry Christmas and recover from their disease”.

Another incredible and caring lady who visited the display had been saving silver coins in a jar over the entire year.  Another person with an enormous and giving heart.

Christmas Fundraising also included splendiferous Christmas Cards made by Patricia and Linda that were sold at the Light Display and also through the wonderful team at MEJ, and we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to them.

We are so grateful to announce that The Christmas Lights of Hope and Joy for 2020 raised the phenomenal total of $3016.25.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where we meet and work, the Ngunnawal people, and the many other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from across Australia who have now made Canberra their home. We celebrate and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of the ACT and region.

Dainere's Rainbow is a not for profit organisation - 100% of all funds raised or donated go to paediatric brain tumour research at Sydney Children's Hospital
Our Corporate Partners

Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation are proud to display the new Registered Charity Tick from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which aims to gives reassurance to the public that the charities they support are transparent and accountable. We rely on your donations and volunteering to ensure we can continue our vital work, so we want you to know your support is making a difference. Where you see the logo, it means the charity is registered with the ACNC so the public can easily find out what they do, who their beneficiaries are, how they are governed and how they manage their finances.