Ella was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on 7th July 2022 and airlifted to Sydney to begin treatment from Canberra.

During her initial hospital admission which was 96 days long, Ella caught COVID and remained positive to it for 28 days.

Other complications Ella has encountered have been; steroid induced diabetes, hypertension, sepsis and septic shock, hypercalcaemia, klebsiella gram negative (bacterial blood infection) ostemyelitis, 11kg weight loss, pulmonary aspergillis, acute liver failure, kidney failure, thrombotic microangiopathy, a number of viruses, over 40 blood product transfusions (whole blood or platelets). Ella also lost the ability to walk, which after 4 ½ months of intense therapy has changed. She is walking 60% of the time now, as well as also needing a nasal gastric tube for 4 months for supplementary feeding.

It is expected Ella along with her parents Ricky and Aimee and siblings will remain at RMHC Sydney until at least May this year.

Aimee says "Being able to have our family together during challenging times and near to the hospital is invaluable, RMHC Sydney is quite literally our home away from home. Somewhere to rest and regroup, make memories, share laughs and keep positive. A place with an open door to feel welcome, loved and supported each and every day."

Every dollar you raise will go towards accommodation, meals and support from a loving community of staff and volunteers.

And it means so much to families like Ricky and Aimee's.

"Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but it comes from the bottom of our hearts, and we absolutely mean it!”

WALK FOR ELLA

Eight-year old Finnlay was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) on July 27^th, 2022.

Finnlay has survived chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, bone marrow aspirations and more as he battles his cancer diagnosis.

Along with his parents, Finnlay has been at Ronnie Macs now for 172 nights.

His treatment is a mixture of intensive chemotherapy drugs, administered orally, via IV, needles and via lumbar puncture. Some kids get minimal side effects, however Finnlay has certainly had his fair share along with multiple serious infections requiring hospitalisation and a very serious bout of pneumonia.

No matter what he’s going through, this little legend always has a smile on his face.

Merilyn says “I've lost count of the number of times I've either needed support or I've provided support to another guest. Finnlay has had a lot of hiccups along the way, and it's been a great being at the House, someone can always cheer you up.

Each journey is different, but we are also all in it together, providing support for each other. The staff go above and beyond and we love the Home for Dinners this is a great opportunity to relax and chat with other families.

Finnlay loves the effort the onsite educators go to when organising fun, engaging in after-school activities or holiday program activities. Activities vary catering for small people and big people...I recently met my favorite chef! We were here over Christmas, and it was very special. It was amazing to see the lengths everyone went to, to ensure the residing families enjoyed a Christmas away from home. The House Christmas party is a memory we will cherish.

We are very grateful for our spot at the House.

To everyone considering signing up for Walk Me Home or donating, mum Merilyn has a message:

Without RMHC Sydney I think many travelling families would be sleeping rough. Paying for accommodation on top of aspects of treatment is beyond reach of the average Joe. Please dig deep and donate, every dollar counts.” 

WALK FOR FINNLAY

Brodie is 15 years old and has been diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer that starts in the part of the brain called the cerebellum.

He has been in the House almost full time along with his mother Kelly since 1 August 2022, with just a couple of short trips back home between treatments. 

During radiation Brodie was sedated five days a week for almost seven weeks.

His chemotherapy runs for four cycles, with each cycle of chemo drugs being administered over five days. Unfortunately, Brodie has had prolonged admittance to the hospital due to the side effects of the chemo, fevers and low blood counts.

Kelly says "RMHC Sydney has made the hardest times that little bit easier on all of us, it enables us to be by Brodie's side and support him each day through his treatment and recovery.

They have given us the most incredible support and looked out for us each and every day. When everyday tasks fall behind, they are always there with hands out offering to share in the burdens and upkeep."

"The House isn't just a house, it's home to many families during some of the hardest days of their lives. It provides a place for fun, interactions, activities, outings, engaging hands-on experiences and most of all it's a safe haven where sick children can be themselves and embrace their journeys with other children in similar situations.

Without the staff, volunteers and supporters our story would be a very different one and I wouldn't have been able to stay by my son's side each and everyday."

This March is your opportunity to take on the challenge and walk for little legends like Brodie.

WALK FOR BRODIE

Little Ryder was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive brain tumor, known as ATRT when he was just 10 months old. Ryder was given approx. 3-6months without treatment and a less than 15% chance survival with treatment.

Recent surgery did not have a favourable outcome for Ryder and it was identified that the tumor is pushing against the brain stem and important nerves are wrapped around it, eliminating the possibility of further surgery to remove it. Only 20% could be removed.

Ryder is currently undergoing treatment on and off for the next 12 - 18 months to try and shrink the tumor.

So far, brave little Ryder is doing well with treatment and the tumor has shrunk slightly; however he still has a long way to go! Despite the extreme challenges, he has a smile on his face and is very popular with the female nurses!

Unfortunately mum Kelly and dad Alan are unable to return to work, as Ryder requires 24 hour care and is in and out of hospital. They have been travelling to and from Ronald McDonald House in Randwick and commuting to see their daughter Charlie.

Since March 2022, they have stayed a total of 153 nights, which will continue well into 2023.

The House means so much to the family with Alan saying "It has meant we can both be with Ryder and our daughter all together in the one place. It has provided a home away from home in a supportive loving and caring environment. My daughter calls it the bigger house, meeting so many wonderful people, staff and volunteers. a wonderful memory is my son pushing the duck around the House in his pram, it was the most he had smiled since diagnosis."

For those of you taking part in Walk Me Home Alan has a message "Be generous, you have no idea how much your support is welcomed and appreciated to families like ours who rely on support at such a stressful and emotional time. Life is precious and the world is a better place with places like RMHC Sydney."
 

WALK FOR RYDER