The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley will play host to a powerful fusion of elegance, purpose, and generosity on Friday 30 May, as the Fundraising Lunch returns to raise vital funds for gynaecological cancer research.
Read: Calile Hotel Named Best in Oceania, Ranks 25th Globally
Guests will enjoy a two-course lunch and a four-hour drinks package in one of the city’s most iconic venues, along with live entertainment, auctions, and raffles — all in support of a cause that impacts thousands of Australian women every year.
Ballet’s Power Couple Take Centre Stage for a Cause
Among the many highlights of this year’s Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation Fundraising Lunch is the attendance of Li Cunxin AO and Mary Li, a couple whose impact on the world of ballet, and now cancer advocacy, is profound.
Li, former Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet and author of Mao’s Last Dancer, and Mary, a renowned former principal artist and ballet mistress with an international career, continue to lend their voices to the fight against cancer.
Married since 1987, Mary and Li have danced together on international stages, their partnership marked by artistry, elegance, and mutual dedication. Their leadership at the Queensland Ballet helped elevate the company to global recognition, introducing new audiences to world-class performances while nurturing homegrown talent.
Their passion now extends beyond the stage. Both serve as proud Cherish Ambassadors, driven not only by a commitment to supporting gynaecological cancer research but also by personal experience. Mary was diagnosed with vulvar cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease.
Mary Li’s cancer diagnosis came as a shock, uncovered during a routine check-up with no prior symptoms. What followed was a gruelling period of treatment, four surgeries and multiple rounds of radiation, after vulvar cancer was detected in a small tumour.
Read: Brisbane’s Kimaritec Takes Gold with Innovative Cancer Treatment at Global Healthcare Event
Mary’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and ongoing research — the very goals the Cherish Foundation champions.
The Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation plays a crucial role in accelerating medical breakthroughs. Their support enables fast-tracked clinical trials and innovative research aimed at discovering kinder, more effective treatments and improving early detection, diagnosis, survival rates, and the quality of life for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers.
Join a passionate community determined to make a difference — and experience an unforgettable afternoon of purpose and prestige in the heart of Brisbane.
Tickets are $190 per person, with tables of 10 available for group bookings. Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase raffle tickets, with winners to be drawn during the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation.
Published 23-May-2025
