Sparkle Therapy Foundation: Bringing Joy Beyond Cancer Treatment
When someone is going through cancer treatment, so much of life can become centred around appointments, treatment and recovery. Sometimes, having something enjoyable to look forward to can bring a little joy during a difficult time. A family day out, a special experience or time together creating memories that have nothing to do with cancer.
That’s the idea behind Sparkle Therapy Foundation, a Victorian charity creating moments of joy for people affected by cancer and their loved ones.
Our team has seen the impact of cancer within their own family, so supporting an organisation like Sparkle Therapy feels especially meaningful for us. We’re proud to support their work and their upcoming fundraising event, A Night To Sparkle.
The story that started Sparkle Therapy
Sophie and Symon van Haalen founded Sparkle Therapy following their family’s own experience with cancer.
Sophie was 36 and a mum of two young boys when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. What followed was a year of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
Throughout Sophie’s treatment, she and her family were surrounded by kindness and support. Among the appointments and treatments, having something positive to look forward to gave them opportunities to spend time together and create special memories as a family.
Those moments stayed with Sophie and Symon. Drawing on their background in creating memorable experiences, they wanted to give other families affected by cancer something special to look forward to as well. From that idea, Sparkle Therapy was born.
More than 400 experiences in the first year
Today, Sparkle Therapy gifts tickets to Victorian attractions, events and experiences to people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. Partners, children and primary carers can be included too, acknowledging that when someone goes through cancer, their loved ones are often on that journey with them.
In their first year, Sparkle Therapy has already gifted more than 400 experiences to people affected by cancer. Successful applicants receive their tickets in the post as ‘Sparkle Mail’, a special delivery that gives families something exciting to look forward to.
As more people discover Sparkle, demand continues to grow. Sparkle relies on tickets generously donated by their attraction and event partners, and when tickets to popular experiences run out, the Foundation needs additional funds to purchase more so they can continue supporting families. That’s where A Night To Sparkle Fundraising Event comes in.
A Night To Sparkle Fundraising Event
To celebrate their first birthday, Sparkle Therapy is bringing the community together for a special evening with a bigger purpose.
A Night To Sparkle Fundraising Event will be held on Friday 23 October 2026 at Grace by Curtis Stone Events in Richmond.
The cocktail style evening will bring the Sparkle community together for a night of canapés, drinks, live entertainment from Andrew Loadsman, raffles and an auction, all in support of the Foundation’s work.
Funds raised on the night will help Sparkle purchase additional experiences when donated tickets aren’t available, while also supporting the work that goes into keeping the charity running and reaching more families.
Most importantly, every raffle ticket purchased and every bid made on the night will help Sparkle continue giving people affected by cancer and their loved ones something special to look forward to.
Our support for Sparkle Therapy
As a family owned Australian business, caring for people and supporting our community have always been important to us. For more than 50 years, our focus has been on helping people feel more comfortable and supported in their everyday lives.
That’s why Sophie and Symon’s story resonated with us. Sparkle Therapy grew from their own family’s experience with cancer and the kindness they received along the way. We know a pillow can’t change what someone is going through during treatment, but we do believe that a thoughtful gesture, a little support, or simply giving someone something positive to look forward to can mean so much during a difficult time.
We’re grateful to Sparkle Therapy for allowing us to be part of A Night To Sparkle Fundraising Event. We've donated pillows and gift vouchers for the event’s raffle and auction, we hope our contribution can help them create more special experiences for families affected by cancer.
Join us in supporting Sparkle Therapy
If Sparkle Therapy’s story has resonated with you, there are a few ways you can get involved.
Join them at A Night To Sparkle Fundraising Event on Friday 23 October to celebrate their first birthday and help raise funds for more gifted experiences. If you can’t attend the event, you can also make a donation directly through Sparkle Therapy.
If you know someone in Victoria who is undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, let them know about Sparkle Therapy. Patients can apply themselves, or a family member or carer can apply on their behalf.
Every bit of support helps Sparkle Therapy continue creating special experiences and giving more families something positive to look forward to. We’re proud to support their work and hope you’ll join us in helping keep the Sparkle going.
