National cancer charity Redkite predicts financial assistance for children and young people affected by cancer will be in higher demand than ever before as families feel the pressure with growing travel costs and living expenses during the holiday season.
Redkite has launched a five-week Christmas campaign with Coles at Noble Park, Dandenong Plaza, Dandenong and Keysborough.
From now until 27 December, Dandenong shoppers can buy a $2 Redkite donation card at Coles to provide financial and emotional support to children and young people with cancer and their families.
Redkite spokeswoman Monique Keighery predicted a surge in demand for support compared to last December.
“We’re seeing unprecedented demand for assistance from families facing their child’s cancer and we predict it will be over 20 per cent higher this Christmas compared to the same period last year,” she said.
“For many families, the Christmas period can be a really challenging time.
“Some families will get the devastating news that their child has cancer and hundreds of children will be undergoing treatment or facing cancer’s impacts.
“We know from previous years that demand for Redkite’s support, including financial help and counselling sessions, is likely to increase.
“By buying a $2 donation card at Coles supermarket counters this festive season, shoppers can help children and young people with cancer and their families when they need it most.”
Victorian mother Simone Clements, whose six-year-old son Hayden Clements was diagnosed with a brain tumour, said the support from Redkite was invaluable in helping families such as her own.
“Redkite provides huge relief. Without them we couldn’t have got through this year. We received food and petrol vouchers and that assisted us so much,” she said.
“We were travelling into the hospital four to five days a week and the petrol bill, parking, medications and spending on food at the hospital just accumulated very quickly, and that didn’t even include babysitters or feeding extra family members who came to help.”
