A hospital visit can be daunting, especially for children. But inside Perth Children’s Hospital, there are incredible organisations bringing hope and happiness to Western Australia’s youngest patients and their families.
For eight-year-old Lola, Perth Children’s Hospital became a second home. Her battle with cancer saw her endure 10 months of intense treatment of radiation and chemotherapy. Lola’s mum Lisa said: “Having to watch helplessly as my child was suffering and spending long hours waiting while chemicals were pumped into her tiny body, was gruelling and at times, unbearable.”
Lola with Dr Scallywag
But then something magic would appear at Lola’s door: Clown Doctors. The Humour Foundation Clown Doctors bring laughter where it is unexpected, yet most needed. “They light up any room they walk into. I have seen it on my daughter’s face and felt the pure love, kindness, and happiness that they bring into what is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Children diagnosed with cancer and their siblings experience high levels of distress and trauma due to the gruelling nature of cancer treatment. It impacts virtually every aspect of a family’s life.
With Telethon’s support, Redkite provides vital counselling and group support services to children throughout WA, at no cost to families – improving mental health, wellbeing and quality of life in hospital during treatment and on return home.
Courtney remembers the moment their lives were shattered when their 18-month-old daughter Kenley was diagnosed with leukaemia. “Walking into the oncology ward in the middle of the night was like walking into an unbelievably bad dream.”
Mum Courtney Martin with daughter Kenley and Tanya Menegola (KCSG).
Kenley spent her second and third birthday on the ward, and from the very beginning Kids Cancer Support Group was there to provide support for the whole family.
“This charity has a profound impact on improving the lives of children with cancer and their families. It has been there to support us through our darkest days, helping to create moments of normality in a world where nothing feels normal,” Courtney said.
The Kiind Hospital Support Program provides WA children with disability and their families practical guidance and emotional support while at Perth Children’s Hospital.
Rare Care Centre Medical Director Dr Gareth Baynem said, “Kiind’s Hospital Support Program is invaluable, addressing the unmet needs of WA families raising children with disability. By providing vital support from diagnosis and beyond, it creates stronger, more resilient families, especially for those caring for many of our most vulnerable children.”
Captain Starlights with Amara Nolan.
After visiting the GP for a relentless ear infection, Samantha recalls the worry she felt when being told her eight-year-old daughter Amara was in kidney failure and then finally being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. It was Starlight Foundation’s Captain Starlight who helped them through their toughest times and countless hospital visits.
“Even during our first stay, when everything was so up in the air, being visited by Captain Starlight and playing games put a big smile on Amara’s face. Without Starlight, everything would have been a lot less bright,” Samantha said.
Bella spent a significant amount of time in hospital as a young girl. She recalls spending countless nights waiting to be visited by Radio Lollipop and believes that she could never have gotten through her time in hospital without the Radio Lollipop volunteers giving her the normality she needed. Now as she turns 18, Bella is ready to volunteer her own time at Radio Lollipop so that she can impact the lives of patients just like her.
Tash D’Souza and Maree Green (HeartKids) with Olivia Borovina.
At just one week old, Olivia went into cardiac arrest. It was later confirmed to be a heart defect, the first diagnosis of many for the now six-year-old. Her mum, Jacinta, said: “HeartKids have been our support since the beginning.”
Perth Children’s Hospital Head of Cardiology Dr Stephen Shipton said: “Through emotional support, education and advocacy, HeartKids remain invaluable allies in our management of children with heart disease as well as their families and the communities in which they live.”
Telethon funding supports 136 beneficiaries, many of which call the Perth Children’s Hospital home. A world-class facility where every organisation, and every individual, is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of WA children.