The Finley district community contributed more than $10,000 to the aim, and with a goal to increase it this year Finley fundraising coordinator Vanessa Kydd is asking for help.
She is seeking both volunteers and donations to support families like her own who have required the services of the RCH.
“My husband Daniel, our daughter Dawn and I have been blessed by the continued support from the staff at the Royal Children's Hospital, and we will soon welcome another genetically healthy baby in early May.
“Many people know of our Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 journey with our beloved son, Allister, who we lost at six months old on June 17, 2016.
“I was talking to our genetic counsellor in August last year about the updated SMA strategies and programs, of which the RCH genetics team are a part.
“She mentioned that the SMA Type 1 affected children are becoming diagnosed earlier and receiving early treatments such as gene therapy and other medications, which are allowing these children to reach milestones that they wouldn't have achieved before.
“There was nothing like this readily available back in 2016; it was all still at clinical trial stage.
“Like a lot of medical conditions, all treatments take time to develop and progress, and it takes funding to support these programs. That is why all support for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal is greatly appreciated.”
On Good Friday, volunteers are asked to meet at 8.30am at the appeal headquarters, located at the rear of 18 Pinnuck St, Finley.
Donations are also be accepted online, at https://fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/Finley.
For more information about the RCH appeal, or to assist the Finley team, contact Vanessa Kydd on 0488 461 658.
