Bee Awesome for Novalie!

Neither bravery – nor an entrepreneurial spirit – are in short supply on the Royal Children’s Hospital cancer day ward.

Novalie, 9, sells her Bee Brave Cards in the Oncology Ward. Picture: Mark Stewart

Neither bravery – nor an entrepreneurial spirit – are in short supply on the Royal Children’s Hospital cancer day ward.

It is there that Novalie turned her battle of almost four years into a business empire, the latest of which – @BeeBraveCards – was inspired by her personal motto and donates half of its proceeds to charity. The nine-year-old tells cashless visitors “I have tap and go”, whipping out the machine.

Novalie said it felt “fantastic” when she raised $2500 for a cancer charity through Christmas cards, and is planning an Easter Good Friday Appeal drive.

Mum Kat said she initially resisted Novalie’s pleas for “tap and go”, until her leukaemia returned.

“She’s missed out on a lot of school, so this (her business) is her school of life,” she said.

“Once your child relapses, you can’t say no to them.”

Originally published in the Herald Sun, Monday, 6th, March, 2023
Words: Sarah Booth
Pictures: Mark Stewart

Our Newsletter

Everything Good Friday Appeal, straight to your inbox. Get more information about your impact and how to get involved.