Redkite fact sheet

Redkite fact sheet
About Redkite
Redkite is a national charity that supports children and young people aged
0-24 with cancer and their families through the entire cancer journey. From
the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment and when families return
home to their communities, Redkite is available with real and practical support.
Redkite receives no government funding and relies entirely on the
generosity of individuals, organisations and corporate partners.
Redkite services: real support through the cancer journey
At diagnosis
At the devastating moment of diagnosis, Redkite Social Workers are on
hand in hospital to give immediate support to the whole family. Emotional
support and cancer-specific information can help a family adjust and
prepare for the journey ahead. A Red Bag containing practical information
and essential items such as toiletries is also provided at this difficult time.
During treatment
Treatment often lasts for years. A family can be dealing with relentless
hospital visits and a parent may stay for long periods in hospital to care
for their sick child, requiring they stop work. Redkite continues to provide
practical and emotional support for the whole family, both when in hospital
and at home. Redkite Music Therapists also help reduce stress and pain
experienced by a child or young person during treatment in hospital.
Back at home
The return home can be isolating and challenging. A family may not know
who to talk to and finding cancer-specific support is often difficult. Redkite’s
telephone and email support as well as facilitated telephone peer support
groups called ‘telegroups’ offer vital support at this time.
Throughout the cancer journey
A diagnosis of cancer can place extra financial demands on families.
Redkite provides financial assistance through this time. Additionally, grants
for education resources and tutoring are available to children and young
people with cancer to help reach their goals or catch up on missed studies.
Redkite fact sheet
To learn more about Redkite visit www.redkite.org.au
For media enquiries please contact:
Martine Pelly
National Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: 02 9219 4023
Email: mpelly@redkite.org.au
Teresa Bosso
Public Relations and Marketing Assistant
Phone: 02 9219 4010
Email: tbosso@redkite.org.au
Cancer statistics
• There are currently around 1750 children and young people diagnosed
with cancer every year.
• Over 8000 families in Australia are currently experiencing the acute impact
of a child or young person’s cancer.
• Thanks to advancements in medical and therapeutic treatments, up to 80 per
cent of children will be cured. Sadly, this means that one in five children and young
people will not survive.
Redkite statistics (2010)
• Redkite is the only national organisation specialising in our age range that provides
professional cancer support services for children and young people through the
entire age range of 0-24.
• On average, it costs $2500 to support a family over a 12 month period with vital
Redkite services such as financial assistance, emotional support and education
assistance
.
• Redkite provides the most financial assistance to families who have a child with
cancer from 0-24 years old at a critical time when income is significantly reduced or
stopped altogether.
• Redkite is the largest non-government funder of professional oncology social
work and music therapy services in children’s hospitals and specific adolescent and
young adult treatment centres across Australia.
• In 2010 Redkite provided an average of 200 financial grants every month.
• In 2010 Redkite provided email and telephone support to 287 families across
Australia – nearly twice the number of families supported in 2009.
• In 2010, Redkite Dare to Dream Scholarships were awarded to 28 remarkable
young people who have cancer or are cancer survivors.
Redkite receives no government funding and relies
entirely on the generosity of the community to provide
its important services.