Give sick kids every chance at life this Christmas!
“What greater gift can you give a child than a chance at life? And not just life in the short term but life for a long, happy and healthy future.” – Natalie, Raf’s mum
For the past two years, nine-year-old Raf has endured more than any child should. In 2021 he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of childhood cancer.
Raf’s faced a long and hard journey since his diagnosis – he lost his hair, was isolated to his room due to his compromised immune system for most of 2021 and 2022. On some days, Raf could barely muster a smile.
The family were in limbo for a long time, and theit realty was they didn’t know if Raf would make it through. But the Children’s Hospital Foundation were there to provide on the goround support and help them stay as positive as possible.
His treatment included chemotherapy and radiation, surgeries, stem cell harvests and transplants and a type of immunotherapy medication, Dinutuximab.
If it was not for his immunotherapy medication, Raf may not have achieved the same outcomes that he has today. After 21 months, he recently received a successful remission outcome and finished his last round of treatment.
Your donation can give children like Raf every chance to live cancer free, forever.
Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research
Immunotherapy has made an incredible difference in the treatment of adult cancers in recent years. Unlike chemotherapy which targets every cell in the body, immunotherapy only targets cancer cells. It has fewer side effects and can often reduce the risk of relapse from some cancers.
Immunotherapy sounds like a perfect approach to kids’ cancer treatment – but Queensland’s Professor Ian Frazer says kids are missing out.
“To date, children have not benefitted from advances in cancer immunotherapy to the same extent as adults. The Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research will ensure current clinical research is translated into a new era of children’s cancer treatments.”
The Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research brings together brilliant researchers and wonderful clinicians from accross the country in a concerted effort to unlock the potential of immunotherapy - for kids like Raf.
Your support for immunotherapy research will make an incredible difference in the lives of children like Raf.
Both Natalie and Raf’s lives were changed forever during their long, lonely months in hospital. A sense of humour, trust in Raf’s medical team, and the support of people like you helped Natalie cope.
Raf is currently doing well, with no sign of cancer in his body. He was treated with an immunotherapy in addition to the standard treatments. But the next six-to-twelve months are the highest risk for him, and his mum Nat is hoping more immunotherapies will become available.
“Immunotherapy is the best chance he has to not relapse, or if he does, to survive.”
We can’t wait any longer – the time is now. We owe it to Raf, Natalie, and all Australian kids and their families.
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.
