Spring Campaign 2024 with Starlight Children’s Foundation
Happiness Matters! Help us bring happiness to serious ill children this Spring.
Meet Lexi
When Evan and Renee took their two-year-old daughter Lexi to the emergency department, they could never have anticipated what was to come. Within 24 hours, their world had been turned upside down. Devastatingly, Lexi was diagnosed with a cancerous Wilm’s Tumour on her right kidney that had ruptured and spread to her lungs.
“We were heartbroken” her dad Evan said. “Renee and I felt like our world had been ripped away from us, and that the worst-case scenario would surely play out.” Lexi had 20 weeks of chemotherapy, eight general anaesthetics, 25 nights in hospital and a major surgery to remove her right kidney and clear the tumour.
Lexi found hospital scary and was traumatised by her loss of control with all the poking and prodding she suddenly experienced.
For her ongoing treatment Lexi is back in hospital up to 15 days per month and is currently receiving a further 35 weeks of chemotherapy and soon will start radiotherapy. Unable to go to day care because of her condition, little Lexi also misses out on vital social interactions with other kids her age.
Despite everything she’s been through, Lexi’s spirit and inner strength continues to shine. Throughout their ordeal, the Starlight Express Room has been a shining light for the family. Creating the laughter and play Lexi’s childhood was missing after her diagnosis, Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room create a safe and fun space where Lexi can be a kid again.
Lexi loves the Captains so much that instead of being frightened of hospital, she is now excited to go. “It’s not ‘going to the hospital’, it’s ‘going to the Starlight Room’ for Lexi! A trip to the Starlight Express Room has become an event we can build our day around and gives us something to talk about before and afterwards,” her dad says.
Lexi loves the giant interactive computer, the gaming area and the magnetic fishing game which she loves to play with the Captain Starlights. Evan and Renee are so thankful for the difference Starlight has made to their family. “It’s difficult to realise how important donations really are until you go through it and see it for yourselves. The fact there is a foundation set up with a single purpose of putting a smile on kids’ faces is the most heart-warming thing ever; and seeing that smile on your own child’s face in times of high stress and worry often puts a smile on your own face too!”
Starlight’s impact: Why Happiness Matters
When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, life can become consumed by hospital and treatment. It’s scary, isolating and overwhelming. That's where Starlight comes in. Through play, creativity, and social connection, Starlight creates the fun and happiness seriously ill children and their families need to get through the toughest times.
Happiness helps sick kids feel more positive about hospital and treatment. It boosts their resilience, helping them cope with pain, fear and stress. So, when you give to Starlight, you’re helping to improve the lives of seriously ill children now, and into the future.
Because happiness matters.
Key Findings of the Program:
• Positive distraction from pain and boredom
• Helps reduce children's anxiety and distress
• Helps parents better cope with their child's procedure
• Siblings also benefited from positive distraction while waiting for procedures to finish
How can you show your support?
List and sell or list a property to be managed through our office from September 1 to November 30 and we will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
If you are considering selling or leasing your property, register your details below and an R&W representative will contact you to arrange an obligation free appraisal of your property