Redkite Christmas Appeal 11 | Redkite

Fri, 2011-11-04 15:50 — ilindley

David Giffin's message My name is David Giffin. You may remember me playing rugby with the Wallabies. Today, I’m writing as a dad who nearly lost my little boy to cancer. My son Joe, had a neuroblastoma, a solid tumour cancer in his abdomen. The diagnosis was terrifying and changed our lives without warning. Thanks to Redkite, my family endured the cancer journey. For us, Redkite’s telephone support made a real difference. My wife, Kris, would call to ask questions, get advice and talk to other parents who provided understanding that is hard to find. Joe is now nine and doing very well. We'll be forever grateful to Redkite. Having experienced Christmas with a child in hospital I can testify to the pressure on families at this time. By donating to Redkite’s Christmas Appeal, you can lighten the load on families. I hope you’ll join with me today and support families at a critical time.
Lightening the load
	Going the distance Alanna’s dad spent every minute he could by her bedside and her mother drove 100kms each way to see her beautiful four-year-old daughter. Redkite helped keep the family car on the road. “They just said we’ll take care of it. You don’t have to worry." Read Alanna's family story.
	Mr Christmas Nicole calls her son Jeremiah ‘Mr Christmas’ because he loved the festive season. Practical support like financial assistance made a difference to Nicole's family during Jeremiah’s treatment. When Jeremiah passed away, Nicole said Redkite’s phone support group "changed my life". Jeremiah's story.
	Brotherly love When Sue’s three-year-old daughter Amy was diagnosed with cancer, her heart ached for her little girl and her five-year-old son Matthew. A Redkite Family Day made an important difference at a difficult time. "I saw the light back in Matthew’s eyes. He was being a little boy again.” Read Matthew's story.
	Standing tall Practical and emotional support helped four-year-old Emily and her family during treatment. Her father, Nick, says Redkite’s social workers helped his family ‘stand tall for our daughter’ and that a Redkite Music therapist helped Emily get through her radiotherapy. Read Emily's story.