How Foundation support and an Australian-first made a difference
A family separated
At just four and a half months old, Halle was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. To treat her cancer, she completed four cycles of chemotherapy. With each cycle and count recovery taking approximately 28 days, her mum, Natalie, remained by her side at Queensland Children’s Hospital through it all.
Separated from her family at home, Halle’s brother, Thomas, and dad, Nathan, visited her often during her treatment. Even on her worst days, Thomas could always make Halle smile.
Support during six long months
Halle and Natalie spent almost six months in hospital. During this time, the Children’s Hospital Foundation supported their journey. Our ward orientation helped Natalie understand the services available to her so she could access the support she needed, when she needed it. With Halle being so young it’s unlikely she will remember her time in hospital, but as a participant in our Bravery Beads program she has received beads for many procedures. Natalie will be able to tell her about her bravery and resilience when she’s older.It can be hard to ask a two-year-old to sit in a small room for hours on end, so our Kidzone playroom kept Thomas entertained, meaning his experience visiting hospital was filled with positive and happy memories.
Children’s Hospital Foundation has been the light in some of our darkest days – keeping us together and focused on what is important – each other!” – Natalie, Halle’s mum.
A digital toolkit for families facing cancer
In an Australian-first, Queensland Children’s Hospital launched a digital toolkit to support families like Halle’s through their cancer treatment journey. The MyQCH app has been updated to include a new dedicated oncology section – offering patients and families a comprehensive hub of information, health management tools, key contacts and supportive tools and resources.
The digital toolkit was co-designed and tested over two years with patients, families, oncologists, nurses and allied health professionals. The project was funded through the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Paediatric Oncology State-Wide Clinical Sub-Network.
The difference that shapes their world
Through supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation, you can improve childhoods and ensure all children and young people have access to treatment - sooner.
