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Stars of the North: Dance for Cancer is Cancer Council NSW's annual gala, and it asks a lot of one evening. Ten local participants spend twelve weeks fundraising, then perform a dance routine live in front of a full room. In 2026 that room was Norths Cammeray, with more than 220 business leaders, sponsors, volunteers and supporters in it.
Spotlight Letters supplied the light up letters for the night. Illuminated STARS anchored the ballroom, and DANCE FOR CANCER sat in marquee lights at the stage. Delivery, setup and packdown were part of the hire, and both displays were lit and in position before the doors opened. The evening raised more than $150,000 for cancer research, prevention, advocacy and support services.
Cancer Council NSW's fundraising team researched several Sydney suppliers before booking. The decision came down to what happened when the original concept hit a problem.
The letters the team first wanted were not available for the date. Rather than leave it there, Roger and Marie put forward alternatives built around the room itself: STARS as the anchor point, and DANCE FOR CANCER framing the stage where the ten participants would perform.
"After researching a number of suppliers, Spotlight Letters immediately stood out," says Sophie Pastor, Community Fundraising Specialist at Cancer Council NSW. "They took the time to understand our vision, presented a range of different options and, when our original concept wasn't fully possible due to availability, went above and beyond to suggest alternative solutions that ultimately worked great for the space."
Delivery, installation and packdown were included in the hire and coordinated directly with the venue. Load-in at a club venue like Norths Cammeray has to fit around the venue's own service commitments, so the setup window is worth locking in weeks out rather than in the final week.
In the lead-up, communication covered delivery timing, access and how the letters would sit alongside the rest of the styling. On the day the letters arrived and were installed on schedule, working alongside the Norths Cammeray team and Cancer Council's other suppliers.
"Installation was completely hassle-free," Sophie says. "We didn't have to worry about a thing, allowing us to focus on delivering the event knowing everything was taken care of."
The letters did two jobs. On arrival they gave guests something to walk towards, which matters in a large function room where the first ninety seconds set the tone. Through the evening they became the fixed point people gathered around, and guests stopped to photograph them repeatedly.
For a fundraising event, that photo traffic is part of the return. Guests share what they photograph, and a lit display gives them somewhere obvious to point the camera. The letters also carried through the official event photography, which is the imagery Cancer Council NSW will use to promote next year's gala.
Cancer Council NSW reports that almost one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Money raised at Stars of the North goes to research, prevention programmes, advocacy and practical support for people living with a diagnosis.
Spotlight Letters supported the event as a sponsor.
"Support from businesses like Spotlight Letters is incredibly valuable to charities like Cancer Council," Sophie says. "Their generosity helped us create a premium event experience while allowing more of the funds raised to go directly towards Cancer Council's research, prevention, advocacy, and support services."
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