Stephanie’s daughter April has been receiving treatment for a rare type of cancer, Wilms Tumour, since her diagnosis 2017.
“We got lucky and found it early after a random fall which ruptured a blood clot attached to the tumour. April had gone to school that day and had not been sick at all. After the fall and diagnosis, we were transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital for surgery and after a week of recovering were able to go home.”
Since that time, going through Chemotherapy treatment and hospital visits, they have come to know how much support Ronald McDonald House Charities provide families. The chance to forget the stresses of ward life with visits to the Family Rooms at Gosford Hospital and the John Hunter Children’s Hospital. Being able to catch up on April’s missed education through the Learning Program.
Like many children who go through a serious illness or injury, missing out on school means they fall behind, and other factors related to their illness or injury can impact on their school work. That’s where the support of the Learning Program made a real difference for April, providing funding for a teacher’s aide to support her at school.
When the family found out about the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Forster, they felt they “didn’t deserve the opportunity”. But as the retreat is available for any family who has had an ill or injured child, they were encouraged to apply to make a booking so they could reconnect and create precious family memories together.
“The Family Retreat provided our family with the chance to get away and relax as a family. For our girls to meet other children staying, and for April to know there are others out there who have gone through a similar situation and understand, helps a lot.”
The Retreat gives the whole family time together, to enjoy a break, and this was especially important for little sister Willow. “Willow has had to just go with the flow during all of this, tagging along to appointments. It’s been great for her to enjoy a break too.”
“Ronald McDonald House Charities makes more of a difference than you realise. For giving up your time and helping us make memories and providing us with opportunities we otherwise wouldn’t have – thank you to all of the volunteers and donors!"
