Our Impact
Everyday I have the privilege of seeing brave children who are sick or injured. Some have long term chronic conditions that impact on their lives and others might be injured for their very first time. The team of doctors, nurses as well as allied health and support staff help make their day a little brighter. By giving, you too can share in this warm feeling by helping to purchase equipment needed to make their day better by providing excellent clinical care.
Dr Christopher Webber
Head Of Emergency – Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and President – Sydney Kids Committee
Otis’s story
At just five months of age, baby Otis was diagnosed with craniosynostosis. The condition occurs when the two bones in the middle of the skull fuse prematurely in the midline and results in a baby’s head only being able to grow in a ‘forward and backward’ direction. If left untreated, it can lead to issues with the brain and skull growth, making early intervention vital.
The best option for Otis at the time was a challenging and intricate surgery called cranial vault remodelling. Under the care of the Craniofacial team at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Otis had his skull delicately reshaped to allow his brain to grow healthily without being damaged by the lack of space.
The surgery was a success, and Otis is now thriving as a six-year-old, learning and growing alongside his peers at school. He is meeting all his milestones and living a healthy life. He loves spending time at the beach and dreams to one day be a vet, a professional soccer player and a “treasure hunter”.
In 2019, Otis’ story inspired the Sydney Kids Committee and with the generosity of donors, enabled them to purchase a specialised piece of equipment called the E-Pen. This piece of equipment offers surgeons greater ease, accuracy and refinement in performing a total cranial vault remodelling surgery.
Since then, surgical techniques and equipment have become even more advanced, with surgeons now able to perform craniofacial procedures using minimally invasive methods, improving recovery times and helping get children home sooner.
It is the generosity of donors who help fund state-of-the-art equipment that enables children like Otis to receive world-class care and for this clinical care to continually improve in line with advances in medicine.
Cooper’s story
Severe head trauma as a result of s skateboarding accident saw Cooper in a fight for his life. A prolonged coma and period on life support in intensive care along with surgery to give the brain room to swell was required. During coma, regulation of body temperature is imperative to survival.
The Artic Sun, like the one purchased by the Sydney Kids Committee in 2018, kept Cooper at the constant temperature needed to save his life. Cooper is now an advocate for helmets, visiting local primary schools to help educate children and reinforce the message of their necessity. Such remarkable stories are only possible because of the support the Sydney Kids Committee receives from our generous donors, sponsors and guests.
