A morning spent with a warm cuppa in hand and enjoying some treats with friends seems like the perfect way to start a day. This can only be made sweeter with Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea – a nationwide event that encourages communities to get together and raise funds for those impacted by cancer.

Orchestrated by the Cancer Council and hosted by regular Australians and businesses across the country, funds raised through the Morning Tea go towards research, sun-safety education, access to professionals and other services that can help those facing a cancer diagnosis.

Thursday 23 May marks the big day this year but as the events are organised by those hosting them, they can run before or after this date. Hosting her seventh Biggest Morning Tea is Canberra local Genevieve Power.

Now 17, Genevieve began hosting at 11 years old after coming across an advertisement for the Biggest Morning Tea. Loving all things baking and socialising with friends, Genevieve thought why not give the Morning Tea a go?

“It really started as an excuse to have friends over and bake a bunch of stuff. Then as the years went on, I got more serious about it, realising I can actually raise a decent amount of money,” she says.

That first year, the young baker raised $100. Last year, 2023, was her biggest fundraising year to date, receiving $1,100 in donations for her baked goods.

Genevieve’s commitment to her baking and fundraising took on new meaning in 2018 when her mother, Janet, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“We were really lucky that her breast cancer was treatable; it wasn’t this nightmare that it could have been. There were incredible treatments and incredible doctors who took care of her and we never had to worry that this could be really and for our family,” says Genevieve.

Putting the pieces together, Genevieve realised the fun event she holds every year can greatly impact the lives of families like hers. Always knowing where the money was going as the Council is transparent with funding, the experience helped put it all into perspective for her.

“The reason that there has been such incredible research into the treatment she got, the reason those doctors might have been trained is because of the support of the Cancer Council.”

Even before her mother’s diagnosis, Genevieve knew there was something special about the Cancer Council, she believes the organisation has a clear and direct impact on people.

“Getting involved in charity can be complicated because it is like ‘who can I trust to donate to or work with that I know is doing something good?’ The Cancer Council to me is pretty cut and dry, they are trying to help people with cancer, what more of an honourable goal can you have?”

Genevieve and her family recently moved back to Canberra, so she felt like she didn’t yet have the network or social group to host a physical event this year. Not dampening her determination, Genevieve switched up the way she hosted, this time offering a delivery service of her treats to friends in Sydney.

“I got people to place an order online, I had a menu of four different things and I then I drove up to Sydney and went around delivering to people’s houses… I made cupcakes: chocolate, vanilla or red velvet then chocolate ganache, vanilla buttercream or cream cheese icing. I did fudge chocolate brownies and people could add salted caramel. I did brown butter chocolate chip cookies with what kind of chocolate people wanted and then I did rumballs.”

Not yet at her goal of $1,000, Genevieve is considering making another delivery trip to Sydney. While hosting a morning tea may seem simple, the impact it has is great, explains Genevieve. She says it is an easy form of volunteering that you can get started with in just a five minute online register.

“It’s a great time to get together with your friends and eat some delicious treats and the by-product of that is that you can raise a decent amount of money for this amazing cause… The Cancer Council is ever-present in our lives as Australians, it is everywhere but it is amazing to consider that with this incredible organisation, we as individuals can help them do this incredible thing,” she smiles.

Support Genevieve and the Cancer Council by donating to an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser; biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/GenevievePower

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