Daring hotelier Kaine Bayfield has gone bald in the name of cancer research, raising tens of thousands for the Children’s Cancer Institute again in 2026.
The CEO Dare to Cure returned for the ninth year in Sydney at a new venue, Centennial Homestead, in Centennial Parklands, in the quest to lift survival rates for the 1,300 children diagnosed with cancer in Australia every year.
“I have been doing this for many years and always go out of my comfort zone to raise money for such a worthwhile cause,” says Kaine, who has taken the Dare every year since it began.
Having previously undertaken some of the prescribed challenges, such as being submerged in ice and covered in slithering reptiles, one option he thought he would never do and has “managed to avoid” each year is shaving his head.
But in 2025 the issue really hit home when his nephew Harper was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“After watching him go through treatment and endure what he has had to endure I thought shaving my head is nothing!” Kaine adds.
“Honestly, Harper is my hero.”
Participating in this year’s Dare date, on 23 October Harper was the one to shave Kaine’s luscious locks.
All funds raised from the event go to supporting the Children’s Cancer Institute‘s mission to find a cure for childhood cancer.
The Institute also aims to help pioneer safer and more effective treatments so children fighting cancer can enjoy their lives to the fullest.
Supporters joined the fundraising efforts, with medical technology supplier Endotherapeutics doubling donations made on the 15th (up to $100k).
One of the largest donors was Frank Arangio – industry veteran and recent vendor on the Royal Hotel Wyong, which the Bayfield Hotel Group bought earlier this month.
On Friday hundreds of brave CEOs and business leaders took the challenges, walking across fiery coals and broken glass, plunged into ice baths, covered in pythons and testing their endurance in the three-hour cycle dare.
Posting a goal of $45k, at time of publication Kaine had raised $44,133.
“It always means so much to me each year that I take on a challenge, but this year was extra special,” he says.
“It was a great morning and Harper even got to have a snake bath!”
Thanking all involved for their support and donations, the young Bayfield Hotels CEO has (so far) achieved third position on the leader board.
“If you haven’t donated, and you would still like to, there is still time.
“Let’s get to $45k!”
CEO DARE TO CURE – KAINE BAYFIELD
