Appeal director Rebecca Cowan and Chairman Penny Fowler sitting on a bench seat with children Alex and Isla

2022 Appeal launched

The 2022 Good Friday Appeal has been launched along with this year's little Ambassadors.

The 2022 Good Friday Appeal has been launched and will celebrate the return of much-loved events the Kids Day Out and the Herald Sun / Transurban Run for the Kids.

The Good Friday Appeal Team are thrilled to announce two little Ambassadors for this year’s campaign, Alex Wyatt and Isla Magann.

Alex, three years old, and Isla, eight years old, don’t have much in common right now. However, what they do share is the same diagnosis, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a cancer that attacks the blood and bone marrow, affecting more than 200 children under the age of 15 in Australia every year.

Executive Director of the Good Friday Appeal Rebecca Cowan said: “The strength and resilience of Alex and Isla is an inspiration to us all here at the Good Friday Appeal. It is thanks to all of our generous fundraisers, partners and the wider Victorian community for continuing to donate and support the Appeal during challenging times to ensure children like Alex and Isla are able to receive world-class care at The Royal Children’s Hospital. 

“The generous donations of all Victorian’s and fundraisers from this year’s Good Friday Appeal will go towards research, education and medical equipment including the CARE (4 Kids) program which will help The Royal Children’s Hospital and Children’s Cancer Centre to provide comprehensive cancer care. This will address the treatment of their disease but also holistic aspects including psychosocial, financial, mental health and wellbeing as well as educational and vocational needs. We send our heartfelt thanks to the entire Victorian community who continue to donate and support the Appeal,” said Rebecca.

Alex’s parents, Gabby and Jesse Wyatt are incredibly appreciative of the Good Friday Appeal and the lifesaving work it enables each year at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

“When we were first given Alex’s diagnosis we felt like our world had been turned upside down but thanks to the continued support of the Good Friday Appeal, Alex is getting the best possible care at The Royal Children’s Hospital, and becoming more himself everyday,” said Gabby. 

Isla’s parents, Leanne and Andrew Magann, share the same sentiment. “After more than five years at The Royal Children’s Hospital with Isla, we’ve seen the first hand impact of the Good Friday Appeal and we are eternally grateful to all who have donated.”

Channel 7 will broadcast the Telethon, live from 12pm on Good Friday. The Kick for the Kids AFL match will return for the sixth year running between North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium where funds raised during the event will go directly to the Good Friday Appeal. 

This year, Kids Day Out returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and will see the return of 40,000 visitors to the iconic event thanks to major sponsors MCEC and City Of Melbourne. You can also get involved by taking part in activities such as the Teddy Bear Hospital at MCEC or by purchasing a raffle ticket online with over $190,000 worth of prizes, donating online or via the phone room. In the lead up to Appeal Day you can also take part in the Transurban/Herald Sun’s Run for the Kids fun run on April 3.

Alex, Isla and their loved ones represent the thousands of patients and families at The Royal Children’s Hospital that benefit from the selfless donations and efforts from the community which help the hospital to be at the forefront of paediatric care. 

After an incredibly tough two years induced by the pandemic, the Good Friday Appeal sends its heartfelt thanks to all of the frontline healthcare workers including the doctors, nurses and physicians for all they have done over the years as well as their ongoing commitment during an incredibly challenging time. 

This year, the Appeal is proud to celebrate milestone anniversaries with many of our generous partners and supporters.

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