Resources
Music Therapy: 25 Years of Life-Changing Impact
For 25 years, Redkite’s Music Therapy Program has offered a holistic approach to healing, using music to support children’s emotional well-being and resilience.
For a child undergoing treatment for childhood cancer, coping with lengthy hospital stays and the emotional toll of medical procedures can be incredibly challenging. Music therapy offers a unique solution, providing comfort and emotional relief, while helping children manage their feelings. It supports in reducing stress, anxiety, and even the need for general anaesthesia during medical procedures.
Redkite has been a pioneer in funding music therapy for 25 years, becoming the largest independent funder of music therapists in paediatric hospitals across Australia.
Redkite’s Music Therapy Program offers a holistic approach to healing, using music to support children’s emotional well-being and resilience. Research highlights the benefits of music therapy, including its role in boosting immune response, improving mood, and enhancing physical stability—all crucial during rigorous cancer treatments. Music therapy also offers an enjoyable and creative outlet in difficult times.
Redkite Music Therapist ‘Music Matt,’ as he is known to the families, is a registered Redkite Music Therapist who has been providing music therapy services at Sydney Children’s Hospital, for over 10 years. He is passionate about the impact music therapy has on the wellbeing of all families facing childhood cancer.
“Music therapy is not just an addition to care, it’s a vital source of support and strength for families.”
“It meets children where they are, helping them develop physical and emotional resilience through simple actions like clapping, stamping, and singing. I believe that music therapy can truly transform lives. One young patient, who couldn’t walk after a brain bleed, took her first steps months later, a milestone we celebrated through song.”
In our Kids Cancer Conversations Podcast Episode 5: More Than a Melody; The Power of Music Therapy, features one family’s music therapy experience and how music helped their child manage fear, along with insights from one of Redkite’s expert music therapists.
Music Therapy and Paediatric Oncology
Redkite’s team of Music Therapists work with children receiving cancer treatment, and their families, to alleviate stress, explore emotions and manage grief. They help families make meaningful connections and provide a chance to create beautiful memories during a challenging time. Music therapy is an important tool to build on people’s strengths beyond a diagnosis, helping children to express themselves and helping their families navigate their child’s cancer journey.
There is a substantial and growing body of research on the positive impact of music therapy in clinical settings – like a children’s cancer ward. The impact it has on children is profound and it’s always in demand. Research has shown music to increase a child’s immune response and their body’s production of endorphins to support faster recovery from medical procedures. It also helps them manage the stress and anxiety that comes with procedures like MRI and CT scans. For some children, these hospital procedures are so stressful they need to have a general anaesthetic before anything else and for some of these kids’ music therapy can help to the point where they don’t need the anaesthetic.
Music can elevate a child’s mood and energy levels while also helping to regulate their heart rate, breathing and blood pressure (this is what happened to Sophie, as a child, when she was rushed to hospital critically ill). The therapy can also give children and young people an enjoyable, supportive, and creative environment where they can express themselves, regain a sense of control and stimulate important areas of growth and development.
Meet the music therapy team
Chelsea
Women’s and Children’s
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children – (Perth)
Louise
Perth Children’s Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children – (Perth)
Miriam
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (Sydney)
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (Sydney)
Erin
Queensland Children’s Hospital
Queensland Children’s Hospital
Matt
Sydney Children’s Hospital (Randwick)
Sydney Children’s Hospital (Randwick)
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Access Kids Cancer Conversations with Georgie Gardner, podcasts easily on Redkite’s website or click the Apple and Spotify link below:
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Why is music therapy important for children?
As we celebrate World Music Therapy Week, we sit down with Senior Social Worker, Dana, and talk about how music therapy is helping children and families going through childhood cancer.
Why is music therapy important for children?
As we celebrate World Music Therapy Week, we sit down with Senior Social Worker, Dana, and talk about how music therapy is helping children and families going through childhood cancer.
How to tell your child about their cancer diagnosis
“In conversations with children, don’t make an assumption about how they’re feeling and what they understand. It’s important to let them express themselves in a way that’s right for them.”
How to tell your child about their cancer diagnosis
“In conversations with children, don’t make an assumption about how they’re feeling and what they understand. It’s important to let them express themselves in a way that’s right for them.”
