What began as one couple’s heartfelt thank you turned into a powerful show of community spirit, raising $21,000 to support breast cancer care at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. 

Current patient Mai Dang and her husband Hung Nguyen hosted a sold-out charity dinner that brought together more than 250 guests from Melbourne’s Vietnamese community. The event was a vibrant celebration of culture, compassion and generosity, held in support of the St Vincent’s Breast Unit, where Mai received care during her breast cancer journey. 

“Breast cancer has touched the lives of many people and their families, including ours... We understand the importance of care and support when going through this difficult time,” said Mai and Hung, whose motivations for hosting the event were twofold.  

“Firstly, we wanted to ensure better care for people going through breast cancer,” said Mai and Hung. “And secondly, to show our gratitude to the Breast Unit for their excellent care during Mai’s treatment.” 

The couple’s vision extended beyond fundraising. They hoped to unite their community and raise greater awareness about breast cancer.  

Head of Breast Surgery, Associate Professor Caroline Baker, gave a talk on the night to encourage breast awareness, which Hung translated onto four screens around the venue to ensure the message could reach as many members of his community as possible. 

“We also had BreastScreen brochures in Vietnamese, as it is well known that our culturally and linguistically diverse community often miss out on BreastScreen, which exists to save lives from breast cancer,” said A/Prof Baker.  

“Our whole Breast Unit was in attendance to celebrate this event and witness a celebration of Vietnamese culture. We were astonished by what Hung and Mai were able to achieve.” 

Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and overwhelming community support, the event was a resounding success. Tickets sold out three weeks in advance, and the atmosphere on the night was filled with music, heartfelt speeches, and a shared sense of purpose. 

“We were deeply touched, and honestly a little overwhelmed, by the incredible support and generosity,” said Mai and Hung. “It showed how powerful our community can be when we rally together for something that matters.” 

The funds raised will go directly toward enhancing expert care and compassionate support for patients at the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Breast Unit. 

To everyone who supported the event, Mai and Hung had a simple but powerful message: 
 
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Whether you donated, attended, volunteered, or simply shared words of encouragement, you played a part in making this night such a success. Your kindness and generosity will have a real impact on people’s lives, and we’re so grateful.”

If you’d like to join Mai and Hung in supporting the St Vincent’s Breast Unit, please go to this page or contact St Vincent’s Foundation Victoria on (03) 9231 3365.