From start to finish, this year’s National Families Week delivered more than 2,018 reasons to smile, thanks to our packed calendar of activities.
From 10 May to 17 May, Children’s Hospital Foundation transformed Queensland Children’s Hospital from a place of clinical care to one of joy, wellbeing and comfort – giving families a chance to pause, connect and take a break from hospital routines.
From animal cuddles to an unforgettable theme park adventure, National Families Week delivered special moments for sick kids to just be kids.
Bringing joy and distraction to hospital
The sounds of laughter and excitement echoed through every ward as the Children’s Hospital Foundation brought to life the role of play and distraction in supporting treatment and recovery.
To kick off the festivities, 200 Mother’s Day hampers were delivered in-hospital, bringing a special moment of care and appreciation to those staying by their child’s bedside.
Each day, activations brought new, exciting memories. Young patients were able to cuddle up to cute (and some scaly) animals, including a very rare, very magical unicorn. Our Foundation Fun Day was filled with puppies, laughter and dazzling face paint – our Ambassadors Charli Robinson, Liam Talbot and Kerry Balbuziente stopped by to join in on the fun, too.
Sporting legends and beloved characters roamed the halls throughout the week. NRLW legends from the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans played nail-biting rounds of Uno, Spot it and Connect Four, and special visits from Ghostbusters, Bluey and Bingo, Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants brought smiles to every corner of hospital.
The healing power of music was heard all around the hospital. Conspiracy of One, Chandler Jay, Maddison Kate, Ronan MacLean and the amazing Queensland Irish Choir gave incredible performances that offered young patients moments of comfort and connection.
To top it all off, we also treated 107 patients, siblings and parents to an unforgettable day at Movie World. This exciting excursion gave families an opportunity to make lasting memories outside of the wards, share in the excitement of rides and shows and experience a sense of normalcy together.
For many families, Families Week was a moment to reconnect, recharge and return to hospital care feeling a little lighter.
Moments that matter
National Families Week celebrates all families and reflects on the importance of supporting and nurturing children throughout their growth.
For families in hospital, the power of play is essential in a child’s health journey, giving them the chance to feel more like themselves and support their wellbeing during treatment.
One family shared that the National Families Week activities had come at a moment when joy and distraction were needed most.
“We’ve had a really hard couple of days, so the timing is fantastic. We really needed this.”
Their child agreed that they were having the “best day ever”.
Amongst all the excitement, the Foundation quietly celebrated powerful moments in hospital too, including ringing the end-of-treatment bell for one family.
With your help, we can continue to fill clinical spaces with joy, laughter and special moments that are a crucial element of young patients’ journeys.
Donate today to help sick kids get better, sooner.
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.
