For parents facing the unimaginable challenge of a child's cancer diagnosis, a new lifeline has emerged to combat the often-crippling financial strain that accompanies the medical battle. The national charity Redkite has secured a crucial CommBank Community Grant, enabling it to expand vital financial assistance to more than 2,000 Australian families in crisis.
The Hidden Cost of a Cancer Battle
A child's cancer diagnosis instantly upends family life, with treatment often spanning years. One of the most immediate and devastating consequences is financial. Overnight, at least one parent typically must give up work to provide constant bedside care, stripping the household of a critical income.
Redkite CEO Monique Keighery highlights the brutal reality these families endure. "I hear the stories all the time about families who can’t afford to put new tyres on the car or register the car or pay an electricity bill," Ms Keighery said. "There are parents skipping meals to be able to provide for their kids when they are going through such an ordeal."
Grant Fuels Direct Financial Relief
The funding from the Commonwealth Bank's Staff Foundation will directly fuel Redkite's financial assistance program. This program offers emergency relief for essentials like groceries, fuel, and utility bills, providing a buffer when families are at their most vulnerable.
"This much appreciated grant will be used to fund our financial assistance program, providing emergency financial relief for families when their world has been turned upside down by a child’s cancer diagnosis," Ms Keighery explained.
The grant nomination came from CommBank employee Janita Milburn, who witnessed Redkite's support firsthand. The charity assisted the family of her son's friend, Brayden, during his cancer treatment and after his passing six years ago.
"Redkite was amazing through Brayden’s treatment," Ms Milburn said. The support included practical aid like Coles vouchers every six weeks, crucial as Brayden's mother could not work, as well as counselling and funeral cost assistance. "She will forever be grateful for all the help and support they provided and always says she doesn’t know what she would have done without them."
Community-Driven Support System
The Community Grants program is uniquely driven by CommBank staff, who nominate organisations making a tangible difference. Nathan Barker, Executive Manager of Community Investment at CommBank, stated the bank was proud to support Redkite's work.
"Redkite is doing amazing work to make a real difference and our grants are designed to make sure that impact extends further," Mr Barker said. "It’s organisations like Redkite that identify areas of real need in our communities and consistently work hard to provide deep care for the people around them."
This grant ensures that Redkite can continue to prevent families from making impossible choices between their child's care and their financial survival, offering not just hope, but tangible support during the darkest of times.
