Shine Like Charli

On May 15, 2020, our daughter Charli was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just 9 years old. Our lives were instantly turned upside down.

What followed were 2 gruelling years of treatment. Over 150 needles into her chest. Toxic chemotherapy designed for adults, not little bodies. A 34-day hospital nightmare where her intestines rotted, her liver failed, and the drugs meant to save her literally poisoned her brain.

We sobbed by her bedside, wondering if this would end with her getting better - or the other way.

The Battle Didn't End When Treatment Stopped

Charli rang the bell three years ago. Her hair grew back. From the outside, life looks normal.

But she still battles chronic fatigue, severe anxiety, depression and PTSD every day. Recently she broke her wrist - her third break since diagnosis due to poor bone density.

She's one of the 70% of childhood cancer survivors who suffer significant long-term side effects from treatment. The drugs that saved their life often leave a trail of destruction in their wake.

This Needs to Stop

Three children die from cancer every week in Australia - more than any other disease.

And here's what blows my mind: We put humans on the moon nearly 60 years ago, yet we're still using some of the same toxic drugs from that era to treat childhood cancer.

Why? Money. Childhood cancer receives only 3% of federal cancer funding. Our children are worth so much more.

Your Support Changes Everything

As Family Relationships Manager at Children's Cancer Institute, I witness groundbreaking research every day. But without funding, progress stops.

The Shine Like Charli team is committed to raising $500,000 for critical childhood cancer research.

Every dollar funds safer, kinder treatments. Every dollar gives another child a fighting chance - not just to survive, but to thrive.

Every. Single. Dollar. Counts.

The only way things change is if people like you decide our kids are worth fighting for.

Because it's never your child - until one day it is.

Thank you for backing our mission. Together, we will cure childhood cancer. It's not if, it's when. 

With Love,
Faye, Will, Charli & Chloe 💛