Welcome

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics an average of five children die in Australia each and every day. Approximately one third of these children are lost during the perinatal period (five months before and one month after birth). Another third succumb to diseases such as cancer, blood and breathing disorders while the remaining third are lost to accidents such as drowning and poisoning, as well as abuse.

Every day more than a dozen families around Australia are presented with the shocking news that their child has a life-threatening condition such as cancer. From that moment on their world is turned upside down. The emotional impact on these children, their siblings and parents is devastating. Generally speaking, even the most sympathetic friends, extended family members, employers and schools are inadequately equipped to provide the practical support these families desperately need.

For many families the problem is compounded by severe financial hardship - particularly if parents are self-employed, or when employers lack compassion. A small minority of employers are extremely supportive, giving employees generous compassionate leave. However, many parents of ill children are either forced to resign from their jobs, or simply dismissed at this most desperate time and few are able find new work as most employers are reluctant to hire any parent in this situation. To add insult to injury, many are accused of using their child's illness as an excuse for not working or paying bills on time. Stress related illnesses, depression, divorce and suicide are common.

We are committed to providing specially focused information and educational support resources to siblings, extended families and friends, schools and employers so that they are equipped to play a more constructive and supportive role. We are also committed to providing practical life support, including financial lifelines to those in desperate need and we are advocates for social justice in this area - pressing for the introduction of regulations that make it illegal for employers to dismiss these parents and deny creditors the right to take legal action against them - for a reasonable period of time. We are also preparing to launch an etiological research initiative to gather and analyse lifestyle data that will deliver new insights into the causes of these illnesses.

Thank you. Your interest and support are sincerely appreciated.