CHFA kicks off NRL season 2009
Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia has kicked off the NRL One Community’s 2009 season with the first 6 weeks of the competition dedicated to getting the message of “Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well” out to the community.
We will be taking 6 very special children to be our CHFA Ambassador to each Sunday game to be televised from 4pm on Channel 9. Each of the club’s involved will be going to great lengths to make our ambassadors, all either current or previous patients still receiving outpatient care, feel extra special on the day. Below is a diary of each round that we have been lucky enough to be involved with.
Round 1 - Sydney Roosters vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sunday March 15, 2009
Our first very special ambassador was Ed Pickard, pictured here with his Mum, Melinda, who both attended the Roosters vs Souths game . Ed had the great honour of calling the toss of the coin for the match - a 1942 penny was used no less! Our thanks to the Roosters for the opportunity for Ed - unforgettable! Ed has cystic fibrosis and is receiving treatment as an inpatient at Sydney Children’s Hospital. In year 7, Ed loves his footy, and was thrilled to be at the game on Sunday. He’s had a bit of a hard week following the game with surgery on Wednesday, but, as always, is positive and never loses the smile on his face! An amazing person, and a fantastic ambassador for CHFA. Big hugs Ed!
Round 2 - Manly Sea Eagles vs. New Zealand Warriors, Sunday March 22, 2009
Dale Davey was our most very special guest at this Sunday’s game. A huge Manly fan, Dale comes from Cootamundra and is currently receiving treatment for a brain tumour at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Pictured here with one of his favourite players Dave (Wolfman) Williams, Dale ran the tee on for Manly on Sunday - a great thrill for him and his dad Andrew who attended the game also. Dale - it was a pleasure to take you to the game on Sunday, you are a very special person and we are thrilled you had a great time. Here is a big shout out to your team mates in Cootamundra!
Bailey Cantrill (the biggest Sharks supporter we know!) was our very special guest at this week’s game. Pictured here with his best friend Samuel who also attended the game, Bailey had the thrill of running the match ball out in front of his beloved Sharks as they took on St George Illawarra at Jubilee Oval. Bailey has been receiving treatment for leukaemia and is currently in remission. Thanks Bailey - we hope you had a great time!
We were thrilled that nine year old Vanessa Liang was able to be our ambassador for the Round 4 game in Newcastle. Vanessa and her family travelled from Sydney to be part of the day with Vanessa’s 10 year old big sister Stephanie there to help. Both girls were thrilled to be able to put the match ball on the tee for the game. Vanessa contracted pneumococcal meningitis when she was 7 months old leading to several medical complications that left her outlook very grim. However through Vanessa’s determination and care network she has defied the odds and it is her family’s hope she will live a relatively independent life. Thank you Vanessa for your company at Newcastle!
Round 5 - Manly Sea Eagles vs. Wests Tigers, Sunday April 12, 2009
Our very special guest this week was Matthew Wood from Sydney. Matthew suffers from a number of complex health conditions and has recently been bed-ridden with the after effects of coming into contact with the Epstein-Barr virus. We were thrilled that Matthew, his brother David and Mum Elaine were able to attend the Manly game as our guests. Matthew loves his Manly team and this was his first visit to Brookvale Oval. Matthew was able to take the game ball out onto the field for his team and sat in the crowd to watch them win their first game of the season. We’re really glad you could join us Matthew and thanks to the Manly Club for making it such a great day!
Round 6 - Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bulldogs, Sunday April 19, 2009
Liam Flinn (pictured here with Dad Jeff) were our guests at the game this Sunday. When he was first born Liam was diagnosed with a genetics disorder that affects his fine motor skills and ability to contract his muscles. He attends hospital each month for treatment. Liam was extremely excited to be at the game - he said to his Mum “this is going to be the best day of my life!”. We sure hope running the match ball out ahead of your favourite team the Bulldogs was magical for you Liam!
We’ve come to the end of our wonderful time with the NRL and would sincerely like to thank the wonderful One Community team for the opportunity to attend these games in 2009. Thank you to the NRL for being such a fantastic supporter of CHFA for the past 3 years - it has been extremely memorable for many of our wonderful children and their families.
