“My dad used to carry me to the shower because I whasent very strong but thanks to the doctors and nurses thay helped me get better so please help them to help other kids like me.”
These are the words of eight-year-old Lola, who was among several children that wrote letters to this year’s Telethon beneficiaries to tell The West Australian’s readers what the fundraiser means to them.
Lola wants people to donate to help the doctors and nurses that helped her when she was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma, an extremely rare type of cancer.
“I have to have very, very strong medicine called chemo and radiation that made me even sicker! I lost all my hair and even had to eat through a tube in my nose,” she wrote.
“Dad still gets worried and cries but not me because I’m tough and brave.”
Lola thanked the doctors and nurses that helped here through her cancer journey. Credit: Supplied
Several children wrote letters to tell The West Australian’s readers what Telethon means to them. Credit: Unknown/Supplied
This year’s 136 Telethon beneficiaries for are set to be announced on Friday morning during the Giving Ceremony breakfast after a record $77.5 million was raised last year.
The generous donations mean the organisations can continue to build a better and brighter future for WA children.
For eight-year-old Matthew, he was thankful for several Telethon beneficiaries who helped his little sister Hannah, who has Down Syndrome and gained other disabilities after a heart operation at four-months-old.
“We are very lucky because she died a few times but the doctors at PMH fought very hard to keep Hannah with us,” he wrote.
“Because of Hannah’s disabilities she has needed lots of help. HeartKids helped us lots when Hannah had her big operation and when she was in hospital.
“Hannah’s House helped us in her early recovery. The Healthy Strides team help Hannah learn to sit, crawl and use her walker and I get to join in helping her count the pictures on the wall.
“I would love Hannah’s first word to be Matthew!”
Matthew thanked doctors, Hannah’s House, HeartKids, and Healthy Strides for helping his sister Hannah. Credit: Supplied
Several children wrote letters to tell The West Australian’s readers what Telethon means to them. Credit: Unknown/Supplied
And eight-year-old James wrote that the Allergy Support Hub had helped him to “feel brave” despite his food and bee allergies.
“I get worried when I’m sitting near people eating my allergens. I’m scared of bees so I always have to wear shoes,” he wrote.
“I had lots of fun at the ASH workshop. ASH helps me to feel brave and I get to meet other kids with allergies. We can share stories.”
Nine-year-old Sofia got to spend some special time with her sister Olivia, who has non-verbal autism, cerebral palsy, and brain abnormality due to a genetic condition, through the Starlight Foundation.
Several children wrote letters to tell The West Australian’s readers what Telethon means to them. Credit: Unknown/Supplied
“I wish Olivia could talk to me. When I tell her I love her it would be nice to hear it back. I like the fact that Olivia can make sounds and can sign some words so I can talk to her,” she wrote.
“Because of Olivia we got a Starlight wish we got to fly on an airoplane and went on a big boat.”
First published by The West Australian.