genU’s kitchen has been the gift that keeps on baking for a major fundraiser with a festive flavour that’s raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research.    

To date, Jo Gunnersen’s Christmas Cakes for Cancer Research initiative has ticked over $340,000 raised for the Cancer Council Victoria’s Forgotten Cancers Project, since the initiative started 18 years ago. 

Jo’s dedication to supporting cancer research in Victoria literally takes the cake and she is as surprised as anyone with how successful the effort has been. 

“I remember how I felt when I started this fundraiser, and I am stunned with what’s happened – I would never have expected to raise the amount that’s been reached,” she said. 

“Our customers can be assured that every cent of the profits raised goes to the Cancer Council’s Forgotten Cancer initiative. 

“Proceeds do not go towards any administration costs, wrapping and packaging, or advertising or any associated costs – all money raised is funnelled straight to the vital research.”

In 2024 alone, Jo sold about 2,000 genU Christmas cakes and 32,000 shortbreads in various package sizes, in another outstanding achievement.

Fundraiser a full-on community effort

Jo started Christmas Cakes for Cancer Research in her Mt Eliza kitchen almost 20 years ago. She was inspired to do what she could to support the Cancer Council of Victoria in its quest for a cure, wanting to undertake something worthwhile for a worthy cause.  

“I wasn’t a doctor, or a scientist and cancer is such an insidious disease – I just wanted to raise money to help support the scientists with their efforts,” Jo said. 

Once determined to make a difference, Jo settled on a tried-and-true product she knew would grab people by the taste buds.

“I used my grandmother’s Christmas cake recipe – but with more butter, more fruit and more brandy,” she laughed. 

As the initiative grew, the task of catering for the high volume of customers keen to get their hands on Christmas Cakes and shortbreads was made easier with genU’s Food Services stepping up to the plate in 2010 and agreeing to use Jo’s recipe. 

After a significant injury – a broken arm and broken leg from a fall in the garden – Jo’s stirring-the-pot days were behind her and she was forced to source a supplier to keep the initiative going. 

“I was baking all the cakes, so it was a really big step for me, with genU taking on the baking,” she said. 

“It was a long process to find the right supplier, but genU was a perfect fit, with their philosophy and the support they offered. The partnership was too good to pass up and I may not have been able to keep the fundraiser going without genU.”

Loyal supporters spread far and wide   

Orders flock in annually from Sydney, Melbourne and locals in the Mount Eliza and Mornington Peninsula regions, with people keen to support the fundraising effort. Jo also ensures the local fruit shop’s shelves are well-plenished with genU’s tasty Christmas fare.  

“There’s such a variety of clients, from the lady who buys one small cake for herself, to the doctor who buys 120 cakes every year for staff at the hospital, or the Mazda Foundation who buys 300 cakes for staff gifts,” she said.

“I have one customer in Sydney who puts out small Christmas cakes instead of bon bons on the table.”    

This year Jo’s introducing a literal ‘tree change’: a Christmas tree-shaped variety, which will replace the star variety, and she expects this new shape to be popular. 

Filling the orders takes military precision and many helpers to ensure people get their delicious cakes and shortbreads in time for Christmas. Fortunately, Jo is blessed with dozens of volunteers who generously give their time each year to lend helping hands. 

“It’s a true community effort and I couldn’t do it without them, they’re simply sensational,” she said.  

Jo praised the efforts of the local Mount Eliza Cancer Council group and the 20 volunteers who commit annually to support the massive wrapping, postage and delivery project. 

“They organise their own roster for the weeks they need to wrap the cellophane, apply the stickers and tie the never-ending red bows!” she said. 

The volunteer effort was epitomised when one year Jo received an order for 8,500 small cakes with a five-week turnaround, from the genU ovens to shipping out. 

“We had golfers, school children and the local walking group involved, and we got there in the end to meet the order on time,” she said. 

After 18 years, perhaps the highest praise Jo receives is being recognised as ‘the cake lady’ when she enters the butcher shop or grocery store in Mount Eliza. 

“I did letterbox drops for orders when I started, and a woman ordered two cakes, which I dopped off, and by the time I got home, she had called to say she wanted to order another 22 cakes for her family members,” Jo said. 

Every connection counts

genU CEO Clare Amies said the partnership was another shining example of how a collective approach leads to genuinely inclusive communities, with far-reaching and multiple benefits.   

“We couldn’t be prouder to partner with Jo and Christmas Cakes for Cancer Research to support such a community-minded initiative,” Clare said. 

“genU welcomes opportunities to work with people who share our values and allows our supported employees the chance to put their amazing skills to good use to help the community.

“The hard work of our talented kitchen staff, which results in money being donated for such important cancer research, is one way we make every connection count at genU.”

Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper AM said he was grateful for Jo's generous support.

"Jo's fundraising efforts to raise more than $340,000 are really extraordinary," he said.

"Thanks to Jo and her customers, we are able to dedicate research funding to less common cancers and provide hope for people affected by these cancers.”

Despite the scope of the initiative, and the hectic pace leading into Christmas, Jo motivates herself by thinking about the vital cancer research people are undertaking, which spurs her on.   

“All I can do is try to support those who can help get a cure for it.” 

All genU ovens blazing to support fundraiser

2020-2024