Christmas cherries raise $115k for Rare Care.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Christmas cherries raise $115k for Rare Care.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
When Thomas was born, he appeared perfectly healthy. Thirteen days later, he was fighting for his life.
Now seven, Thomas is one of only three kids in the world ever diagnosed with Empty Liver Syndrome, and the only known survivor.
Thanks to the generosity of WA’s fruit and veggie industry, more kids like Thomas will be able to access the specialist care and support they need.
Earlier this month, the annual Perth Cherry Auction raised over $115,000 for PCHF, including a $60,000 winning bid for 5kg of prized WA cherries. The funds will support the Rare Care Centre at PCH, helping the 63,000 WA children living with rare and undiagnosed diseases.
Funds raised through the auction support the Rare Care Centre’s work improving care pathways, providing family support, driving system-level advocacy and fostering research and innovation.
Thomas’ story.
“He started vomiting after every feed,” Thomas’ mum, Anna said. “I took a photo one day and noticed the whites of his eyes had turned yellow. My husband thought it was just the lighting, but something didn’t feel right.”
Anna took Thomas for routine tests for jaundice. Instead, within hours, the family was rushed by ambulance to hospital.
“His urine was black, like dark tea,” Anna said. “Doctors discovered his liver wasn’t working at all. It looked healthy on the outside, but it was literally empty. There were no functioning liver cells.”
Thomas underwent an emergency liver transplant at just three weeks old, becoming the youngest and smallest transplant patient his specialist had ever operated on. His kidneys also failed, forcing him onto dialysis for eight weeks. Against the odds, both his transplanted liver and kidneys recovered. Today, Thomas’ liver function is perfectly healthy.
“You wouldn’t know anything was wrong unless you saw the scar running down his belly,” Anna said.
Because Thomas’ condition is so rare, its cause remains unknown. Medical papers have since been written about his case to help future children.
Now growing up in regional WA, Thomas and his family rely on the Rare Care Centre for specialised support and guidance.
“When you leave hospital, you can feel like you’re on your own,” Anna said. “One minute you know nothing about the medical world, and the next you’re thrown into it. Rare Care made sure we weren’t alone. They helped us find the right GP, the right therapies, everything.”
An iconic WA tradition.
Held at Perth Markets in Canning Vale, the Cherry Auction is a much-loved WA tradition now in its 33rd year, bringing together leaders from the fruit and vegetable industry to bid on the first cherries of the summer.
Thanks to 29kg of WA cherries donated by southwest growers – including the prized 5kg box from Sweet Cherry Valley in Donnybrook – the auction once again delivered a powerful result.
This year’s Cherry Queen is nine-year-old Freya Galati, one of the youngest in the event’s history, continuing the Galati family’s long-standing support of PCHF.
Tony Galati said the family was proud to support the auction year after year. “It’s a great cause and we’ll keep on supporting it every year,” he said. “We’re so lucky to have such an incredible hospital here in WA for our kids.”
PCHF CEO Carrick Robinson said: “The Cherry Auction is a powerful demonstration of the generosity of our local market community. Year on year, they come together and raise vital funds for PCHF, to help kids like Thomas get the care, support, and guidance they and their families need.”
Market West Chief Executive Rod McPherson said: “Market West’s history and commitment to the charity Cherry Auction for PCHF continues to strengthen. Congratulations to all our bidders, who once again generously put their hands in their pockets to uphold the tradition of providing much-needed funds that enable the Foundation to carry on their great work.”
This year’s ceremonial box, containing the prized cherries, was crafted from she-oak and jarrah burl by Phil Staniford of the Donnybrook Men’s Shed.
The Cherry Auction is run and hosted by Market West and Perth Markets Group Limited, with support from the Cherry Growers Association. Over its 33-year history, the event has raised more than $2.12 million for PCHF.
To donate, visit pchf.org.au/donate-today
