Family Assistance Information
We have supported many families, in areas including, but not restricted to, funeral and related expenses, travel and accommodation costs, and medical bills. The children in these families have been seriously ill. Some have experienced cancer relapses, while others are receiveing palliative care.
Many families supporting children receiving cancer treatment experience significant life stresses including unemployment and associated loss of two incomes. Severe financial stresses occur as a consequence of accumulating bills and decreased income. There are many extra expenses associated with keeping many medical and allied health appointments over the often protracted period of treatment and our patient assistance fundign has provided welcome relief to many children with cancer and their families.
Charlie Pyatt and famliy receive financial assistance for his tratment at Sydney Children's Hospital
In August 2008, 2 year old Charlie Pyatt was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), previously known as Pre-Leukaemia. MDS is a life-threatening illness, usually very rare in children, but more commonly found in males over the ge of 60.
Charlie was placed in the High Risk group (there is a smaller chance of curing children in this group) and the only chance for Charlie was a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, his famliy were unsuitable as donors, but umbilical cord was found that was suitable for Charlie's transplant.
Charlie was admitted for treatment and preparation for transplant at the Sydney Children's Hospital. His stay was for more than 100 days. His mother Melissa remained with Charlie for the 3-4 months, while his father Simon, and the rest of the family, commuted between Adelaide and Sydney ever weekend due to work committments.
A fundraiser held at the McLaren Vale Bocce club on Saturday, January 31st, 2009, raised over $25,000 from the people who attended the event. There was an all-you-can-eat pasta meal hosted by the club, a silent auction, and live auction, and many raffles. The generosity of the club and guests meant that this money was able to be provided to the family to assist with theit travel and needs during this troubling time.
Young Keith Anton receives financial assistance to pay for school and pharmaceutical costs
Keith Anton is a friendly 17-year old boy who was diagnosed with Leukaemia in April 2007. He had chemotherapy, and had to deal with the associated pain and ongoing treatment on a daily basis. He and his family were grateful for the contribution that helped him along this difficult journety.
Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide grant
Kids Cancer Research Trust has made provision for the Women's and Children's Hospital for families to support their children whilst they are undergoing cancer treatment from June 2007.
Financial Assistance to relocate from Mildura to Adelaide for the Ho family
We are proud to have provided funds for the Ho family, in order for their son Wilson to receive treatment at the Women's and Children's Hospital, as the family had already had to sell their house and business in order to support Wilson.
Financial assistance to improve the lawn and backyard for teh Majorrabi family
Sachi Majorrabi was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Kids Cancer Research Trust provided funds to have the backyard fenced and lawned so that Sachi and her sister can play outside, and get some much needed exercise and relief from her treatment regime.
Sam Douglas Grant
Young Sam Douglas, from Highton in Victoria, was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's Disease. Kids Cancer Research Trust provided him with a support grant of $5000 in April 2006. Sam was only one year old when diagnosed, and the funds were to help the family with the ongoing costs associated with treatment.
What is Hirschprung's Disease? It is an illness that generally occurs in childrenn. It is a disease of the large intestine, also called the colon. The bowel includes the large and small intestine. The symptoms include constipation, which means the bowel movements are inhibited. In some cases, children do not have bowel movements at all, causing the stool to create a blockage in the intestine. If Hirschsrping's Disease is not treated, infection, bursting of the colon, and even death can occur.
Children with the diseas do not have the muscles in the intestine to push the stool to the anus, where it leaves the body. The specific nerve cells, called ganglion cells, which make the muscles push, are absent in the last part of the large intestine in children with Hirschsprung's Disease.