Working wonders for sick kids

Transcription

1 Mia 2 years leukaemia Working wonders for sick kids

2

3 Hello from our CEO I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how your support is helping sick kids like Mia, today and tomorrow. We re helping kids today by making sure they receive world-class clinical care and have access to the best possible medical equipment. We re also making sure we distract and entertain the kids while they re in hospital and support their families throughout their journey. Our amazing volunteers are here every day, helping kids to laugh and smile, get better and go home with their families sooner. To help kids tomorrow, we re funding research to achieve faster diagnoses, better treatments and ultimately cures for some of the most devastating childhood illnesses and injuries. Everything we do is made possible by you so thank you, again, for your wonderful support. Rosie Simpson Chief Executive Officer Thank you for making all we do possible!

4 Mia 2 years leukaemia Mia s story At her second birthday party at her home in Bundaberg, Mia s legs hurt too much for her to run around or even stand for long. Her parents Ryan and Rhianne knew something was wrong and went to their doctor the next day to check it out. A few days later they were given the devastating news that their two-year-old little girl had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and had to start treatment at the Lady Cilento Children s Hospital straight away. Without urgent treatment, Mia s white blood cells would have continued dividing out of control until they filled up her bone marrow. If that happened, her bone marrow couldn t do the vital job it usually does making red blood cells to carry oxygen around her body.

5 Mia has been through some really tough treatment and our research into childhood cancer has been crucial to helping her in her fight. Our doctors can now very accurately measure how many cancer cells are in Mia s blood at each stage of her treatment. After just eight days of chemotherapy, Mia s blood test showed she needed even more intensive treatment, which made a big difference to her treatment. If this wasn t detected, Mia may have deteriorated, putting her health and recovery at even greater risk. In supporting the Children s Hospital Foundation you are helping kids like Mia on their journeys by providing them with lots of support and care. While Mia was in hospital she loved music therapy which was used for distraction and play during her treatment. Mia was also part of our Bravery Beads program, collecting a special bead for every painful needle, chemotherapy treatment and tough day. Our Bravery Beads reward Mia for her bravery, encourage her to keep going and create lifelong memories of her journey.

6 Step inside our world-class hospital and research centre The Lady Cilento Children s Hospital is Queensland s children s hospital, providing world-class treatment and care for our sickest kids. Opening in November 2014, following the merging of the former Royal Children s Hospital and Mater Children s Hospital, our children s hospital is now Australia s largest and most advanced paediatric health facility, providing the highest level of family-centred care for all Queensland children in the one place. The Lady Cilento Children s Hospital, along with the new Centre for Children s Health Research, is the hub of a statewide network that is truly making a difference to the treatment and care of our sickest kids. As the charity of our children s hospital and research centre, and our statewide network of care, the Children s Hospital Foundation is supporting children and families every step of the way. With your support, we are helping sick kids get better and go home sooner with their families. We couldn t do it without you.

7 The new Centre for Children s Health Research is the hub for Queensland s leading child health researchers, with more than 350 researchers from Queensland s top universities working together under one roof. Our researchers work closely with our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to discover new and smarter ways to help our sickest kids get better. Our researchers are working on lifesaving childhood cancer treatments, improving emergency care and recovery for kids with trauma and burn injuries, diagnosing infectious diseases faster, helping kids with respiratory diseases breathe easier, and helping kids with disabilities lead more fulfilling lives. With your ongoing support, our researchers will continue to make life-changing breakthroughs to change the lives of sick kids.

8 Jayden s journey with burns Within a blink of an eye, one-year-old Jayden s life changed forever. His mum had just boiled the kettle to make herself a cup of tea and had turned her back for just a moment, when she saw out of the corner of her eye Jayden reaching for her cup. In a split second, the boiling hot water splashed all over Jayden s neck, shoulder, chest, back and face. His delicate baby skin started blistering immediately. Jayden 1 year burns The family was rushed by ambulance to their local hospital, where Jayden s initial treatment began. But he urgently needed the expert care of the world s leading children s burns team at Queensland s Lady Cilento Children s Hospital. Jayden was flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Brisbane where he underwent emergency surgery to treat his burns. Because of the severity of his burns, Jayden had to have four general anesthetics during his two-week hospital stay just for his dressings to be changed. Thanks to advances in burns research, Jayden didn t need any skin grafts and he was home, pain free in record time.

9 Jayden is now home while his scars continue to heal, but he will have regular check-ups with our burns team to monitor his progress. While every day in hospital can be long for kids, the Children s Hospital Foundation volunteers brought Jayden some special books to keep him entertained and he loved visits from Chilli, one of our wonderful pet therapy dogs, who distracted Jayden from the painful treatment he had to endure. Research into burns Hot beverage scalds at home are the most common burn injuries for children. The relationship between pain and healing time can now be properly correlated for the first time. Research has discovered that if children are relaxed, well informed and less anxious, they can heal by as much as two to three days faster. Our volunteers are playing an increasingly important role in distracting children and helping them relax, be less anxious and heal much faster. With your help, our researchers are relentlessly finding better ways to treat and heal burns, reduce pain, anxiety and the need for surgery, and get kids home sooner with their families.

10 Brodie s lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis Brodie s parents were basking in the joy of having a newborn son when, at just eight weeks of age, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Their world was turned upside down when they learned that there is no cure and the average life expectancy was just 37. Brodie s family has since been on a mission to help him get the most out of life with a strict regime of up to 22 tablets and physiotherapy sessions every day. Brodie 15 years cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening chronic illness affecting the lungs and digestive systems of thousands of young Australians. It can often be a lonely existence with social interaction sometimes minimised to reduce the risk of infection.

11 Now 15, Brodie has endured many operations and countless hospital admissions for intravenous antibiotics and vitamin treatments when he s been really sick. He s also developed diabetes and liver disease because of his cystic fibrosis. It s not much fun for the family when Brodie is in hospital. But Brodie is the most amazing boy, his smile is infectious and he very rarely complains. The nurses tell me constantly that he s amazing to take care of. Juanita, Brodie s mum. Research into cystic fibrosis Just 20 years ago, it was rare for a child with cystic fibrosis to survive beyond their teens. Now, the average life expectancy is twice as long. Early diagnosis is critical so that treatment can commence as soon as possible and lung damage can be minimised. Research has also improved the quality of life so kids with cystic fibrosis can spend more time just being kids and growing up with their friends. With your help, our world-class researchers and clinicians are making a real difference to kids living with cystic fibrosis every day, looking after their precious lungs and, ultimately, searching for a cure for cystic fibrosis and other life-threatening respiratory conditions.

12 You re making sure our kids have the very best care You re helping sick kids every day Music therapy For many sick kids, music therapy makes an incredible difference to their rehabilitation and recovery. Music helps build, or rebuild, important neurological pathways that help children regain control of their language, speech and movement. Pet therapy Children s Hospital Foundation volunteers accompany Delta Society Australia pet therapy volunteers and their dogs as they visit patients at their bedsides, bringing joy to sick kids and inspiring them in their recovery. Our special pet therapy dogs help with pain management, stimulate the senses, have a calming effect on patients and often bring lots of laughter to the kids and their families.

13 Left: Nate, 2 years, neurological condition with his music therapist Above: Jordan, 12 years, arthritis, with pet therapy dog, Chilli Right: Jessica, 8 years, cystic fibrosis, playing Uno You re bringing play to the bedside Whether it s cards, board games or playing on ipads, our volunteers offer free bedside play to patients and their siblings every day of the year. Rain, hail or shine, our volunteers are always there, bringing fun and distraction right to the bedside. Uno is one of our most popular games!

14 You re supporting families every day in little ways that make a big difference Cuddle Carer volunteers Our Steggles Cuddle Carers give parents the opportunity to take a break from their baby s bedside, consult with medical staff, make phone calls, have a coffee or a meal or just have a little time to themselves. Our specially-trained Cuddle Carer volunteers are there to give comfort to our infant patients aged two years and under and give tired parents a little time for themselves. Operating theatre volunteers Watching your child go into the operating theatre for surgery is an anxious time for any parent or carer. Our volunteers are there for parents and families before, during and after each child s surgery. They explain what s going on and help parents scrub and gown up so they can kiss their children before surgery in the operating theatre. Isaiah, 1 month, heart condition with volunteer Edna

15 They also spend time with brothers and sisters in the waiting rooms during this stressful time. Once surgery is over, our volunteers are there to help families find their way to the recovery ward to see their children after their surgery. Family Resource Centre Our Family Resource Centre is our hub for families, with a relaxing parent lounge, free WiFi, computers, printers, phones and information on local support groups and local amenities and services. This space gives families, particularly those from remote or regional areas, the support they need. While parents are taking care of business, our staff and volunteers run a free supervised play area for sick kids and their siblings, offering entertainment, craft, activities and more. Stephanie, 3 years, condition unknown and Cadel, 4 years, cystic fibrosis enjoying our Family Resource Centre at the Lady Cilento Children s Hospital.

16 You re giving kids the chance to star on their own weekly TV show! The Children s Hospital Foundation is giving sick kids the best place in the world to get better and create lifelong memories along the way. The kids create, host and star in Juiced TV, their own weekly TV show, having some amazing experiences and building their confidence and skills. Juiced TV superstars embark on a wide range of experiences. No matter what the interests of the hosts, anything is possible! Kennedy, 11 years, cancer and Ione, 7 years, renal condition on set with Juiced TV.

17 The content of each episode ranges from music, cooking, animal encounters and hospital staff profiles, to giving patients the opportunity to meet their favourite celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Johnny Depp. Patients artwork, songs and short stories have also been brought to life in The TV show made by the kids in hospital for the kids in hospital. Find out more and watch episodes at Johnny Depp and crew.

18 You re creating a place to reflect, wish and hope The Children s Hospital Foundation wishing tree is a place for hope and reflection, to share the wishes of the many people who come through our children s hospital. Patients, families and visitors are invited to write their own wishes and tie them to the branches of the wishing tree, in the hope they might all come true. Your support makes this all possible! Paige, 6 years, cerebral palsy.

19

20 A PO Box 8009 Woolloongabba QLD 4102 E info@childrens.org.au P 1300 SICK KIDS ( ) F ABN