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Rivals unite at the Peter Mac Cup Breakfast 2026

2 min read 15 April 2026

The 31st Peter Mac Cup began on Monday April 13 at the MCG, nerly 400 guests gathered for breakfast alongside Carlton Football Club and Collingwood Football Club to begin a meaningful week in support of the Peter Mac Cup.

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Hosted by Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones, the morning began with a conversation between AFL great David Parkin and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre researcher Professor Grant McArthur.

David generously shared with the room insights into his time as both a player and legendary coach for Hawthorn and Carlton.

Both men shared with the room their experiences with prostate cancer, what it was like going through treatment. Their reflections were a reminder of what the Peter Mac Cup truly represents - not just a match, but a collective stand against cancer and a drive to create real change for patients and families.

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Collingwood captain Darcy Moore and Carlton defender Jacob Weitering also spoke together on the morning, shared their thoughts on the significance of the upcoming game, and sharing exclusive insights with the room. Fierce rivals on the field, both players spoke about the importance of coming together for a cause that touches so many lives.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation CEO Craig Connelly acknowledged the impact of the event and the generosity behind it.

“The Peter Mac Cup is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together behind a shared cause,” he shared.

“Every conversation, every contribution and every show of support helps drive the research and care that changes lives. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to stand with us in the fight against cancer.”

We are immensely grateful to the many current and former Carlton and Collingwood players who gave their time on their day off to attend the Peter Mac Cup Breakfast, as well as our incredible corporate partners - the Pratt Foundation, Visy and Community Bank Strathmore whose support helps make this event possible.

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Attention now turns to Thursday night’s highly anticipated clash at the MCG.

For more than 30 years, Carlton and Collingwood have come together through the Peter Mac Cup to raise vital funds for cancer research and patient care. This year is no different.

Whether you’re in the stands or watching from home, you can be part of the impact.

Take a stand against cancer and support life‑saving research through the Peter Mac Cup:

https://foundation.petermac.org/peter-mac-cup

@Follow us on Instagram (@SupportPeterMac)

At Peter Mac, breakthroughs are underway – targeting rare cancers with powerful treatments that save lives without taking so much from them. Associate Professor Ian Parish is leading efforts to understand how immunotherapy can be adapted for cancers like sarcoma. He and his team are exploring how to harness the body’s own defences to do everything they’re capable of. While success is seen in some cancers, there is still much to uncover for rare cancers – a challenge given the fewer patient cases and tumour samples. 💬 “Patterns only emerge when enough evidence is gathered across many patients”, says A/ Prof Ian Parish. For people living with rare cancers like sarcoma, the potential impact is profound: a future where treatments are strong where they need to be, and gentler everywhere else. 💜 Your support can help turn possibility into progress – bringing better options within reach for people with rare cancers. Read more on Associate Professor Ian Parish’s work: foundation.petermac.org/aprof-ian
“Don’t wait for the signs. I didn’t have any, and other men have said exactly the same thing to me.” This Men’s Health Week, we share Stuart’s prostate cancer journey. Although he’d had no symptoms and had lived a healthy life, Stuart’s world was turned upside down when a standard men’s health check led to a Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis. The outlook was dire. After about a year of hormone therapy and chemotherapy, Stuart was running out of options. Fortunately, a pioneering new clinical treatment program at Peter Mac gave Stuart renewed hope and more time. These days, Stuart lives a healthy and happy life filled with gratitude. He encourages other men to undertake their annual health checks, and to seek support during their cancer journeys. “We need to talk about it. If I held everything in, I’d be no good to myself or my family.” Read Stuart’s story at the link in bio.
For over 33 years now, @ritchiessupermarkets has generously supported lifesaving cancer research at Peter Mac. A household name with the community at its heart, Ritchies IGA allows customers to support a charity of their choice via their Community Benefits Program with their purchases. And thanks to the many kind customers who have nominated Peter Mac as their charity, Ritchies has gifted a wonderful $434,000 towards shaping a more hopeful future for people with cancer. To read about how Ritchies is making a difference for cancer treatment and care – and how you can support Peter Mac every time you shop with Ritchies – visit the link in bio. @petermaccancercentre
Young people with cancer now have access to more specialised care. A new program at Peter Mac, made possible by @myroomccc , is helping transform outcomes for patients aged 15–25. A group with their own unique challenges. The My Room Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Fellowship is providing dedicated training for oncologists to better support this age group. We’re proud to partner with My Room, whose unwavering commitment ensures every young person has a fighting chance. Read more via the link in bio
Imagine surviving cancer without losing so much along the way. For Ada, that meant losing her leg. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at just 18, Ada had no idea what was to come. After undergoing nine months of chemotherapy, the conversation turned to surgery: amputating her leg above the knee to protect her long-term future. 💬 “No one wants to lose their limbs, but if it’s to reduce the cancer coming back... that’s how I thought of it”, she says. Today, Ada wears her pink and blue prosthetic with pride. But what if treatment didn’t have to take so much from people in the first place? Immunotherapy offers that possibility. Researchers at Peter Mac are exploring how to harness it for rare cancers like osteosarcoma — complex work that relies on sustained support. ⭐ Because gentler treatments don’t just save lives. They protect futures. Read more of Ada’s story: foundation.petermac.org/ada
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