Making cancer treatment “bearable”

After a decade of support, the team at Country Road have refreshed Redkite’s Red Bag and lovingly updated the teddy bear packed in every bag.   

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it often comes as a shock to their family. Parents rush their child to the hospital, not imagining that they’ll need to pack a bag of items for a long-term stay, including something to comfort their child. The Country Road teddy bear provides that comfort when a favourite toy is left behind.

For families like Kerryn’s, the Red Bag was there from the very first day with important essential items like toiletries, information and a diary to keep track of appointments. But it was the Country Road bear that became the most important item and Ella’s best friend.  

“Ella was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in September 2009, aged 22 months,” her mother, Kerryn said.

“Here we are, almost 10 years later, and we’re still fighting the beast after three relapses and a bone marrow transplant.

“We were presented with our bag on the first day we went into hospital. It was full of the most awesome resourceful things and quickly became our ‘hospital bag’, packed and waiting at the front door for any unforeseen hospital visits.

“The best thing about that bag was the gorgeous Country Road teddy bear,” Kerryn said.

“That bear became Ella’s best friend – her security toy. Named Charlie Bear, Charlie has been through ever single procedure that Ella has. Every operation, every chemo, every blood test – Charlie has been right there with her.

“Poor Charlie has endured many procedures herself – from lumbar punctures to insuflon insertions, broken limbs and picc lines,” Kerryn said.

Ella and Charlie are still inseparable. With him by her side, Ella was able to endure her treatment. And she knows other children like her will get their own furry friend, to help make their cancer treatment more “bearable”.