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The impact of your generosity

The impact of your generosity

Here at Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, our mission is to transform the health care of sick children and young people so they can live their healthiest and happiest lives.

On Wednesday 17 October, over 100 guests attended the Foundations annual Donor Impact Celebration in the Auditorium and Collegiate Lounge of Perth Children’s Hospital .

Stitches the Bear and PCH patients Jack (left) and Kevin (right), greeted guests on arrival

“Without your donations and the expertise of the staff at PMH, I wouldn’t have survived. You are the reason that I am here tonight, speaking to you”, explained 14 year old Jack Hadley, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation ambassador, at the event.

These powerful words left many reaching for their tissues as the Foundation celebrated 20 years of helping West Australian children live their healthiest and happiest lives at Perth Children’s Hospital.

Jack’s journey with the hospital began when he was born with Amniotic Banding Syndrome, a condition in which his mother’s amniotic sac partially ruptured at six weeks of gestation.

His skull stopped growing and he was born with significant malformations. He has had 31 procedures to date to help repair his eyelid, skull and nose, with more to come once he stops growing. Jack’s family know better than most the impact Foundation donors have on the lives of WA children.

More than $100 million has been provided in grants and future commitments to PMH, Perth Children’s Hospital and the wider Child and Adolescent Health Service over the last two decades, thanks to the unending generosity of Foundation donors and it was the Foundation’s chance to say thank you.

The Honourable Roger Hugh Cook MLA, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, was on hand to personally thank donors for their continuing support of the Foundation.

The Foundation is the largest funder of the hospital and the wider Child and Adolescent Health Service after the government. The role you play as donors in improving the health outcomes for sick children across the State is immense, he said.

Melissa Karlson, founder of be giving, a new generation of philanthropists supporting projects through Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, was also invited to share her story with supporters.

“be giving has raised over $2 million for equipment and projects in the hospital. The be giving members are also volunteering around the hospital, helping patients and families in a number of ways. Most of us are mums who have accessed the hospital ourselves, so we know how important it is to have state-of-the-art equipment and world class expertise when treating the kids of WA,” Melissa declared.

After watching a video outlining some of the extraordinary initiatives their support has made possible, donors enjoyed canapes while having the opportunity to speak with the very clinicians they fund.  A showcase of Foundation funded projects was available for exploration.

Donors speaking to Tom Rawlings about the simulation equipment funded by the Foundation

Donors interacted with the simulation dolls clinicians use during emergency situation training, got a feel for the robotic devices used by children in rehabilitation, learnt more about the chocolate flavoured medicine that is revolutionising pain relief and had a 3D image taken of their face with technology that enables doctors to diagnose genetic and rare diseases.  A myriad of musical instruments was also available to interact with, as donors were told about the impact of music therapy on sick and injured children.

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Carrick Robinson, said the commitment of the West Australian community in supporting the Foundation’s work since 1998 has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“As our community has increased in size, so have the needs of our children’s hospital and the community has provided unstinting support every step of the way over the last 20 years.  This support has enabled the Foundation to deliver millions in dollars in grants to the hospital every year to support world-class expertise, purchase advanced equipment and technology, and fund world-first research studies, aimed at improving the lives of young West Australians and their families,” Mr Robinson said.

Our appreciation to the individuals and organisations that have supported us over the years knows no bounds; we are eternally grateful.

Click below to watch the inspiring video about the impact of your generosity.

If you’d like to help give West Australian children the chance to live their healthiest and happiest lives, then click below to make a donation:

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