Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation launches our fourth annual Sydney Sick Kids Appeal. With an ambitious goal of $15 million, Sydney Sick Kids Appeal runs from 6 May until 30 June 2024, and SCHF is galvanising our Movement of Many to come together to have the biggest impact on sick and injured kids across NSW.
Throughout the appeal, we will share inspiring stories of children thriving in the face of different illnesses and injuries. For these kids, childhood is far from what it should be. Instead of playdates there are appointments, instead of sleepovers there are stays. These kids are nothing short of brave and extraordinary, but all they long for is an ordinary childhood. Because every child in hospital is a childhood on hold.
Your support helps kids like Wemi, who was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at six years old. This blood disorder results in patients having intense pain and can lead to strokes and organ failure. After years of treatment for symptoms, she underwent the only available cure - a bone marrow transplant. The vital research which saved her life is funded by generous donors to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and with your support, we can go on to achieve so much more for kids like Wemi.
On 7 and 8 May in the Forecourt of Customs House in Circular Quay, SCHF will have an art installation, The Paused Playground, to bring attention to Sydney Sick Kids Appeal. Viewers of this installation will feel how a child in hospital has had their childhood on hold. Swing sets and see saws are waiting for those children to return home from hospital and press play on their childhoods once again.
We are looking forward to Sydney Sick Kids Day, Thursday 6 June. Alongside some generous corporate and community partners, SCHF will once again be organising activations and giveaways across Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Centenary Park, Parramatta.
Visit schf.org.au to find out how you can donate to Sydney Sick Kids Appeal, and help take a childhood off hold.