Keeping ‘Back on Track’!
We invite you to donate to Back on Track.
Now, more than ever, we’re counting on your kindness and generosity to help support our Back on Track program.
We know times are tough, but illnesses like cancer won’t stop for COVID-19 and neither will our commitment to ensuring children with cancer don’t fall behind in their education. Back on Track provides wrap-around educational support to children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with and are receiving life-saving treatment for cancer. Back on Track is an essential part of the care package provided to families at The Cancer Centre for Children at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
Unique to the Health-Education interface, the Back on Track team delivers support from Kindergarten to Year 12 across all sectors of education, from the city and suburbs to rural and remote NSW and ACT.
Since 2006, Back on Track has supported children and young people, their families, schools and the wider community – reducing the negative impacts of extended school absence and improving the long-term outcomes of childhood cancer survivors.
The Back on Track team comprises four dedicated and experienced Education Program Coordinators: Donna Gurka, Dr Marianne Fernandes, Trisha Donovan and Sallwa Hourani, who advocate on behalf of the family for the child to manage and deliver learning and social connectedness in collaboration with the medical team, teachers and peers. This helps young people, families and schools navigate the educational challenges that accompany cancer treatment.
“When our son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Year 10 it was a very challenging time. How wonderful it has been to have received education, support and advice from the wonderful teachers at Back on Track. This service provides a bridge and connection between the school, the hospital and the family. Without it, children and families would experience more stress, trying to navigate their teenage child through the curriculum process in high school.” Sue O (mother of Sam, 17 years old).
“Whilst treatment secures life, without support to achieve full potential, the significance and purpose of a child’s life is eroded or lost.” Dr Luciano Dalla Pozza, Head of The Cancer Centre for Children at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Donate today and be part of the Back on Track legacy. Your support is critical to ensuring that Back on Track is available to every school-aged child diagnosed with cancer.
All donations of $2 and over are 100% tax deductible.
A big thank you to our Supporters
The real heroes who are kindly helping us achieve our goal
$104
Nigel Suggate
$131
Simone Zanin
Keep up the good work!
$1.58k
Tracey Kypreos
$10
Anonymous
$45
Obl
Thankyou to "Back on Track" Support
$515
Richard Larsen
Thanks to Back on Track for your support and all the best Albert.
$515
Citiquip Cowra
Thank you for your support!
$465
Karl Stutterheim
$261
Troy Wiggins Wiggins
$515
Ron Arkcoll
Thanks for your support of Alby Arkcoll, and all you do for children suffering from cancer
$1.02k
Cameron Arkcoll
Thanks for your support to Alby Arkcoll in Westmead Hospital who is our first cousin
$261
Gordon Williams
The Team at Ablefix are thankful to support your work in getting students back on track.
$1.02k
Anonymous
$1,000
Lm
$313
Midland Pty Ltd
Thanks to Back on Track for your support and all the best in your HSC Alby!!
$200
Anonymous
$104
Craig Suggate
Glad to help out and thankyou for all you do!!
$104
Brent Wiggins
$1.02k
Dan Arkcoll
thank you to the back on track team, Marianne and all, we greatly appreciate what you have done & do for our son
$1,000
Brandyn Lee
$104
Phil Suggate
$1,000
Mark Mackenzie
$50
Skye Wallace
$52
Colin Wright
$1.02k
Anonymous
Thank you for all that you do at Back on Track.
$1.02k
Cariolato Family
It would have been an impossible task to navigate the educational system, without the help of Back on Track, when dealing with the turmoil of a childhood cancer diagnosis. While Angels Marianne and Sallwa would always stop to have a chat in Clinic and help when needed, our designated Angel was Donna. Donna organised and attended all the school meetings, providing them with all the knowledge of all the possibilities available, liaising with NESA, UAC etc. While our son had treatment from year 9 to year 12, missing out on many schooldays, including year 10 completely, he was able, with Donna’s expertise, to continue his High schooling without delay and continue on to the University degree of his choice. Thank you so very much for all the guidance and support getting out of the maze, we are forever grateful 💗💗💗
$22.7k
Partners Group
From the team at Partners Group, a little something to help out. See you in 2021
$100
Christina Schilstra
$63
Ben Shilson-josling
Go Eleanor!
$21
Aaron D
$63
Brian So
Good luck, Eleanor!
$26
Caitlyn Read
$100
Krista Payne
Well done Ella! Great effort in fund raising
$21
Laura Hillhouse
Well done Ella!
$42
Philippa Lo
$63
Marya Atmeh
Great initiative, Eleanor!
$100
Simon Irvine
Great work Eleanor, well done.
$21
Susannah Lace
$100
Bree Miechel
$50
Sue Smith
Great work! Love you ❤️
$261
Clarissa Evelyn Schilstra
As a cancer survivor who missed year 8 and year 9 due to treatment, I know the value of this program all too well. I'm now completing my PhD thanks to educators like these and they deserve all of the support possible!!
$104
Nirosha Karunakaran
In memory of Aisha. Thank you for doing all that you do. Your service is invaluable!
$31
Viktoria Burrett
Happy birthday Rob xx
$104
Bt
Keep up the great work. You are our living angels.
$52
Rees Veltjens
$104
David Gonzalez Pastor
The work you're doing is incredible. I'm very grateful for the support you provide to children and families going through these hard situations. I hope my family will never need your help but I can't stand the idea that people like you are not given the support you deserve.
$100
Anonymous
$80
Nadia I
Such a significant service.
$52
Anonymous
$52
Ed Cox
$21
Nathan Turner Turner
$21
Anonymous
$30
Anonymous
$52
Anonymous
Very impressed with the critical service you provide. Hopefully my donation will help you keep up the excellent work.
$21
Anonymous
$106
Kapil Singh
All the best guys, you are doing great work
$130
Karen Lapsley
Robyn’s birthday donation
$104
Anonymous
$21
Gary Busiko
$100
Vanessa Power
$52
Andy Gahan
A great cause
$104
Anonymous
$261
Susan Cochrane
$52
Babes Family
$104
Pauline Brown
An invaluable service, we are grateful for the support we recieved from Back on Track, my son was able to 'keep on track' academically during treatment, this was an improtant part of his recovery. I hope other children can access this service.
$261
Claus Kristensen
$450
Meredith Riley
We are so grateful for all the support Eleanor received while in treatment. Eleanor is working hard to raise money for back on Track through her honey stand sales. This is one of her first donations from the sales she has made to date!
$500
John Cowley
Good on the Back on Track team!
$100
R Horscroft
These important programs shouldn’t be relying on community donations so much!! What a wonderful service to help kids and their families have one less thing to worry about while they are fighting such a big battle. Their education is still important!
$31
Anonymous
$52
Amal Elzahr
$50
Renee Ferraro
Great work for keeping this program going!
$104
Anonymous
If I can help I will!
$52
Carmela Pachi
$52
Jason Sidney
Thanks Trish for all you’ve done for my daughter tayah and the endless amount of kids that’s you’ve helped so much with there learning away from school . Truly an amazing Organization that is just as important as the treatment the hospital gives .
$50
Laleh (mother Of Alexandra)
Thank you to all members of the Back on Track team for their ongoing support. My daughter always lights up upon seeing one of your lovely educators, whether in the ward or in the clinic.
$21
Georgina Younes
Salwa from back on track was a huge support for my son Raymond during his vulnerable time Also she had provided an exceptional help for my son Nicholas at the time he was applying for uni ... Thank you salwa and all the team from back on track We are for ever greatfull
$104
Tina Karlsson
Back on Track bridges the gap between hospital and school for very sick children at a time when they are extremely vulnerable. Schools aren’t equipped to deal with their needs and good intentions aren’t enough. Sallwa was a strong advocate for our son Ryan who was battling Leukaemia, fighting for his needs and educating staff at his school. It would be devastating to families if Back on Track were not available to support and guide them through such a difficult time.
$1.02k
Apolonia Kersch
Important caring initiative
$100
The Wong Family
Thank you to Trisha and the team for supporting our family through the difficult times. Seeing your face in C2W and C2N brought a smile to all of our family.
$500
The Payne Family
It saddens me that essential services like Back on Track have to fundraise when so much is spent on the military. Ridiculous. Anyway Salwa and the team at back on track provided essential support for James during and after his leukaemia treatment. we can’t thank you enough.
$250
Elena
I hope other kids can have the great support I hade when I was in hospital and when I was at the Oncology Clinic Thank You!
$313
Belinda Gao
Back to track program is amazing. Thank you Donna for your support throughout Catherine's treatment and help us to connect with school. We are grateful for your service.
$250
Sandro Razzi
$104
Ioan Morgan
Best wishes with the fund raising campaign!
$104
Amanda Beachcroft
$104
Kathy Dempsey
Childhood cancer is an unimaginable journey itself. There are so many facets that potentially rob children of what would or could have been their life path.Services like Back on Track to ensure our kids can continue to grow and learn and achieve their dreams are beyond essential. If it had not been for Back on Track my challenging adolescent would have not only suffered his cancer but the negative impacts felt in the absence of learning - impacts that can last a lifetime. Support Back on Track to support our kids - they deserve it. Support Back on Track we are so Thankful and could not have done it without them.
$21
Anonymous
$104
Vikas
$515
Wilson Family
We very grateful for the Back on Track team who have supported our son through his treatment, and helped us with his learning recovery afterwards.
$500
Peter Mcdonnell
You all do such great work to support both the kids and families....Well done
$104
Athellia Dias
$104
Margaret Tan
This is a very good program and supports for students to back to school normal life.
$250
Minty/leitch Family
Back on Track is a fantastic and much needed program. Keeping us motivated and connected to schooling and the classroom was a much needed bridge to 'normality' in difficult times. The Team always have a smile and enthusiasm that is catching. Thank you!
$104
Anonymous
Please support BackonTrack, a great help to keep sick kids stay on track in their studies and lead a quality life later on in their life same as other kids.
$261
Belinda Nelson
Thank you so much to the Back on Track team who have supported Travis through his journey. We will always be grateful and hope they can continue their vital work!!
$52
Tereza & Ewan
$21
Anonymous
$10.02k
Helen & Michael Lionis
Thankyou for the fantastic team that has supported our Eleni during her treatment. A vital link between young cancer patients, school and beyond.
$104
