TODAY YOUR DONATION WILL BE DOUBLED!

You can help twice as many families facing childhood cancer today. Your gift will be doubled*, thanks to the generosity of other Redkite supporters.

When childhood cancer strikes, it feels like the world stops, but life carries on.

It is no difference for Stephanie when she was told her three-year-old son Archie had leukemia. In that moment, she said, “Everything just stopped. Everything.” 

Chemotherapy depleted Archie’s immune system until his little body was so ravaged by infection he had to go on life support.  

Because this all happened during COVID-19 lockdown, Stephanie and Ryan weren’t allowed in the hospital together.  

Stephanie stopped work to be by her sick son’s side. She felt like a bad mother to her other two boys Hugo and Theo, who she says, “pretty much lost me overnight.”  

Then Ryan had to give up his job so he could look after Archie’s brothers, Hugo and Theo. You can imagine the family’s financial hardship, on top of everything else.  

Stephanie and Ryan could barely afford fuel for the daily commute to see Archie in hospital. At times, they struggled to buy essentials for their other two boys – who were scared and confused and just wanted their mum and brother home.  

At Redkite, we see this all the time. While one child is fighting for their life, the rest of the family suffers too. 

Stephanie’s first lifeline was a Redkite Diagnosis Support Pack (Red Bag). It was filled with practical items like toiletries, a charger and a water bottle – all the little things Stephanie needed in hospital but hadn’t had the time or headspace to pack.

Generosity from supporters also brought the family fuel and grocery vouchers and relief for some bills – so they could focus on their sick child without such financial distress.  

A Redkite Social Worker also helped Stephanie cope with her feelings of overwhelm and guilt – and her terror that Archie would die. 

It’s now two years since Archie’s cancer diagnosis. We’re happy to tell you he’s back home after a successful bone marrow transplant, and back to his boisterous, charming self.

Archie still needs regular checkups and treatments, and the family still needs support. But they made it through the worst time of their lives – thanks to your beautiful care.

Sadly, another three families will hear the devastating words, “your child has cancer” today.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, families can fall apart under the stress and in the face of unexpected bills and the loss of livelihoods.

Make a tax-deductible gift before 30 June and help families like Archie’s go from heartbreak to hope.