FOR families with a child with cancer, COVID-19 has been devastating and they need more support than ever.

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The emotional and financial cost of having a child on treatment for cancer cannot be underestimated.

Salamander Bay’s Hodgson family knows this only too well.

Kaylee, who is nine, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and due to her high risk disease the family was split in half with her undergoing treatment in Sydney while her brothers stayed in the Bay.

Kaylee’s mother Alana Hodgson told News Of The Area, “Redkite was there from the first week, giving support to us over the last two years, it is the only charity where it is really easy for parents, no questions, no paperwork, they just provide financial support when needed.”

Kaylee still undergoes regular bone marrow aspirations and other invasive procedures and will have late effects from her treatments, some of which will be with her for life.

“Support from strangers makes you feel less alone, knowing that people are willing to help your child and sending love and support to your child is amazing,” Alana said.

The reality is when you have a child with cancer, the demands are unrelenting, 24/7, and you never know what the next 24 hours will bring.

The additional stress of COVID only amplifies the challenges these families face every day.

Redkite is a lifeline for these families, providing the real and essential practical, financial and emotional support they need.

The organisation receives no government funding to deliver these frontline services to help these families get through each day.

This year Redkite has seen demand for our counselling and support service increase by more than 30 per cent and requests for financial assistance were up by more than 15 per cent, as many already stretched families fell victim to COVID economic woes.

Sadly at the same time, Redkite has also been significantly impacted losing more than $1 million in revenue being able to run its flagship annual fundraising events due to the virus.

Redkite needs help to enable them to deliver essential services to an ever-growing number of families who have a child with cancer, including those in your local community.

You can find out more at redkite.com.au.

By Marian SAMPSON