Starlight Children Foundation is appealing for support to help raise $1.3 million today, on Starlight Day, as they continue delivering happiness to over 33,000 seriously ill children and their families around Australia.
This year young Ruby, whose Pappou is Greek and lives in Athens, along with her mum’s brothers and cousins, is the national face of the Starlight Day campaign. At just four years old, Ruby was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and in one year, endured over 550 medical procedures, including 35 blood transfusions.
The one positive throughout Ruby’s journey was meeting Captain Starlight, and spending time in the Starlight Express Room to reconnect with her older brothers. Ruby was visited by Captain Starlight every time she was too sick to make it to the room. Each time she had an operation, Captain Starlight was there to distract her mind from the procedure and cheer her up immediately following treatment.
"My father and my two brothers live in Kiffisia, Athens. My older brother has three boys, who are very worried about their cousin. It has been hard for them to hear the news of Ruby and being so far away," says Steph, Ruby's mum.
“We hope when Ruby is well enough that we go to Greece to see the family and reconnect to our Greek heritage."
To help Starlight achieve its biggest annual fundraising target, individuals, corporations, universities, schools and community groups are encouraged to get involved this Starlight Day by fundraising anytime throughout May or by providing their time as a volunteer.
More than 2,000 purple and yellow-clad Starlight volunteers will hit the streets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on Starlight Day to sell merchandise and collect donations in train stations and central business districts.
Starlight CEO, Louise Baxter, says, “We are encouraging all Australians to dig deep this Starlight Day to help us improve hospitalisation for seriously ill children and their families.
“Starlight’s hospital programs provide more than just a fleeting smile, replacing pain, fear and stress with fun, joy and laughter and giving seriously ill children the opportunity to simply be kids again. Every donation is vital in helping us reach our goal of powering happiness and making a lasting difference to the wellbeing of sick kids.”
Starlight Day aims to raise much-needed funds to keep Starlight’s uniquely Australian Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight programs in every children’s hospital in the country, open seven days a week.
Every child admitted to hospital in Australia, regardless of illness, injury or age, can access the Starlight Express Room with their immediate family, giving them a unique opportunity to reconnect and bond.
This year Starlight will open three new Starlight Express Rooms in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne and recently opened a new room in Darwin.
GCT had a chat to Steph about how the Starlight Foundation has helped Ruby and their entire family throughout Ruby’s treatment.
Can you please tell us how Ruby is doing at the moment?
Ruby is doing fantastic. She was diagnosed in March 2016 with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) and is now on the two year treatment program. The first year is brutal with intense chemotherapy treatments and the second year (where we are now) is less so. She currently is on a stage called MAINTENANCE. This is when she takes oral chemo tablets and has regular check ups with the hospital/oncologist.
She is in remission but the chemo continues in case any cancer cells wake up. This type of leukaemia is very well researched and they know that this protocol of treatment is what is required for success rates.
Ruby started kindergarten this year at North Sydney Demonstration School. She loves school and loves being with other children again and the learning. With three older brothers, Ruby is very keen to learn to read and catch up to them!
How has the Starlight Children’s Foundation helped Ruby and your entire family throughout Ruby’s treatment?
The Starlight Children’s Foundation is incredible. From the first day of diagnosis when I thought I would never smile again, the Captains Starlights appeared at Ruby's bedside with magic and love and laughter. They are absolutely amazing. Their energy and commitment and passion to make kids and their families smile is just so important and to be honest without the Captain Starlights our journey would not have been as much fun! Just when you thought you could not go on, that it was going to be a very long day in hospital trying to entertain a five year old (with limited sleep and brain power to go on), the Captains would be at your door ready to play!
A cancer journey is filled with ups and downs and when you see your child so sick and sad, you hope that they will laugh. The Captains did that for Ruby and for me and my husband.
The Starlight Express Room also was invaluable in helping Ruby's brothers. There was always a fun face to play with in the Starlight Express Room and the boys could enjoy computer games and craft in a kind and welcoming environment with fun Captain Starlights and incredible volunteers.
The Captain Starlights also have their own TV station in hospital (Starlight TV) where they air movies and do fun games and quizzes. There is a phone next to every child's bed for them to call the Captains who always answer and are ready for a chat. Ruby called so many times, to tell them jokes or just say hello. The Captains actually made Ruby an honorary captain - Captain Ruby. This name has stuck and that is what she likes to be called!
We owe a lot to the Starlight Children’s Foundation for Ruby's health improving. Her mind set was positive and so was mine and the Captain Starlights in our worst times made us smile. I am forever grateful.
Can you please tell us about the support you have received from your family and friends since Ruby’s diagnosis?
The community has been amazing. From friends and family near and far. We have made new friends and for that we are forever grateful. For an entire year there were meals on our doorstep, gifts for Ruby and love and flowers! We have a beautiful Greek friend who would deliver Greek lamb with all the trimmings regularly - home cooked food definitely warms the soul.
Spending so much time in hospital with Ruby, I did not have to worry about what food my boys were having for dinner. They always had a choice. Community love and spirit is truly amazing. Again, forever grateful for the love and support.
Can you please tell us the best way you think the public can help children and families who are receiving treatment?
The best way is to support charities like Starlight. They are incredible and without them hospital would be a very sad place. Children do get better with play and laughter, don't we all? So please ask your readers to volunteer, donate money or time, to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. It is a very worthwhile charity and one that makes a big difference to sick kids and their families.
For more information about fundraising and volunteering on Starlight Day, or to make a donation, please visit www.starlight.org.au. or join the conversation online using #StarlightDay #PowerTheHappy.
