Pirate Day
2025-05-16
Help turn the tide on childhood brain cancer!
Pirate Day is an annual dress up day during brain cancer awareness month each May. It's time to dust off your swash-buckling best and gather as much treasure as you can for a great cause.
Since 2015, over $630,000 has been raised by pirates for childhood brain cancer research. Join our generous pirates across the country and register your crew today!
About Pirate Day
Pirate Day was founded by Nathan Colgan after his son Conor was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Doctors told Nathan that research was the only way to find a cure for Conor and kids like him, which prompted his mission to raise money for childhood cancer research.
Conor’s primary school held the first ever Pirate Day in November 2014. The pirate theme was inspired by Conor’s need to wear an eye patch because of his surgery and treatments. The day was an overwhelming success and Conor decided he would write to all Australian primary schools to ask them to hold their own Pirate Day.
Of all childhood cancers, brain cancer is currently the least treatable, with some types being considered incurable. The only way to change that is if kind people like you band together to help fund vital research now.
That’s why, during brain cancer awareness month each May, generous pirates dust off their swash-buckling best and gather as much treasure as they can for a great cause.
To find out more, visit our Pirate Day website www.pirateday.com.au.
Where the funds go
Meet Dr Kenny Ip. Based at the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, Kenny’s background is in neuroscience, meaning he approaches brain cancer research from a unique angle. His current project, funded with the help of pirates like you, aims to identify the link between nerves and cancer growth.
"It takes a lot of time and money to do, but this sort of science is really about innovation and invention and it’s vital to giving kids with brain cancer more time, and hopefully one day, give them their lives back.
I’m just so grateful to people who donate, who are part of this community effort to protect each other and the kids who need us. It’s very important because cancer isn’t racist, it can sadly affect anyone and that’s why it takes everyone to help solve it."
-Dr Kenny Ip
Say Ahoy on Pirate Day
Don your swashbuckling best this May and collect treasure for childhood brain cancer research.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I register or find out more information?
You can find out more information about raising funds by hosting a pirate day on the Pirate Day website.
Where do the funds go?
This year's Pirate Day will be supporting Dr Kenny Ip's important research into neurons and tumour growth.
Who can host a Pirate Day?
Everyone! Schools, Early Learning Centres, Businesses and Community Groups often host Pirate Days as do small groups of friends. Head to our website to register and once you sign up, there are plenty of resources to download to help you have a swashbuckling day!
What date is Pirate Day?
The Kids' Cancer Project is setting sail on our Pirate Day on Friday 16 May 2025. But you can jump aboard yours any time in May that suits your crew. May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month.