On Monday 23rd May 2022, SCHF launched the Sydney Sick Kid’s Appeal for its second year, aiming to raise vital funds for world-class care and ground-breaking research across Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Thanks to the immense generosity of supporters like you, we raised a record-breaking $20 million – and still counting!
Throughout the appeal, we shared the inspiring stories of children who live with different illnesses and injuries. For these kids, childhood is far from what it should be. Instead of playdates there are appointments, instead of sleep overs there are stays. These kids are nothing short of brave and extraordinary, but all they long for is an ordinary childhood. Because every child in hospital is a childhood on hold.
Kids like Kurt, who at the age of five was diagnosed with lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that rarely occurs in children. In his first few months of kindergarten, Kurt was unable to attend school, play sports, or even make friends.
For this year’s appeal, SCHF’s Art Program partnered with the wonderful team at ECOYA to develop a limited-edition candle featuring young oncology patient, Chelsea’s, beautiful artwork. ECOYA’s design team incorporated Chelsea’s watercolour painting of a flower garden into the package design. All proceeds from the candle sales were donated directly to the appeal.
You can still purchase your own limited-edition ECOYA x SCHF candle. Buy your candle today and your donation will go towards the best care possible for children just like Chelsea.
Things kicked up a gear when Sydney Sick Kids Day rolled around on Thursday 24th June. SCHF volunteers and staff visited Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead to brighten the day of patients and staff. We kicked off the morning with Sunrise’s Sam Mac at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, followed by welcoming Johnson and Brenton from Channel Seven’s Big Brother in our call centre. The celebrations didn’t stop there, with food giveaways served at both hospitals throughout the day, all kindly donated by some of our generous corporate partners.