From patient to changemaker, 10-year-old ovarian cancer survivor, Myah, has donated a brand-new toy trolley for oncology patients supported by Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Early last year, an ultrasound revealed a tumour measuring about 15 centimetres by 8 centimetres in Myah’s abdomen, and she was diagnosed with an ovarian germ cell tumour – an extremely rare condition in children her age.
A week later, Myah began chemotherapy at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
In between rounds of treatment and specialist appointments, Myah loved visiting the oncology ward’s toy trolley, bringing moments of joy to difficult times.
It was those moments that inspired Myah to give back and help other children facing the unimaginable, raising an incredible $22,500 with her very own fundraiser.
The funds now support “Myah’s Toy Trolley” in the hospital’s Oncology Ward – named in her honour – and will keep it stocked with toys, books and crafts for other children on the ward for years to come.
“After my own treatments, I got to visit the toy trolley, and it made me smile when everything else felt hard. Those little gifts reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that people cared,” said Myah.
“I hope with this toy trolley that kids going through treatment will feel brave, loved and a little less afraid. I just want to see as many people smile as possible.”
Providing care beyond treatment
Queensland Children’s Hospital treats more than 1,900 children and young people with cancer each year.
Myah’s father, David McGuigan, said the support from Children’s Hospital Foundation helped the family grapple with their new reality.
“From family and friends to complete strangers, the generosity, encouragement and compassion we received carried us through some of our darkest days. Knowing that so many people were rallying behind Myah gave us strength and reminded us that we were never facing this battle alone,” shared Mr McGuigan.
“Through the services Children’s Hospital Foundation provides to support children and their families, they helped create an environment where Myah could receive the very best care as well as continue to just be a kid.”
If you would like to make a difference for children like Myah, make a donation today.
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.
