HEARTBEATNEWSLETTER

Official newsletter of Variety – the Children’s Charity NSWIssue#05 - 2014 Autumn/Winter Edition

When Gemma Cudmore’s nine-day-old baby Beau suddenly fell ill last year she rushed him from her home in Appin to the local emergency department.

Within minutes of arriving at Campbelltown Hospital, paediatricians at Westmead - more than 40 kilometres away - had diagnosed him with a congenital heart defect over Variety’s Vision for Life video monitor.

‘’The second the Westmead doctors saw him on the cameras, they knew it was an emergency,’’ said Gemma Cudmore, Beau’s mother.

‘’He was struggling for breath. He wasn’t just sick - he was dying. The vision meant doctors could keep him alive until he had surgery.’’

For many ill children, the difference in survival will depend upon doctors being able to see them. Until now though, most remote diagnosis and support has been by telephone without any ability to see the child who is being described. With Variety’s

Vision for Life, hospitals, regardless of location will have the ability to gain access to specialist clinicians at Westmead which will be enhanced with vision. This allows for a more accurate diagnosis, saving lives, as well as helping to avoid unnecessary patient transfers.

In Beau’s case, the Vision for Life camera showed symptoms that couldn’t be described by doctors at Campbelltown and thankfully his life was saved.

“We owe Beau’s life to Variety’s Vision for Life and the fast acting NETS team. We were so fortunate that the technology was available at Campbelltown Hospital, and we truly believe that without the help of Vision for Life Beau wouldn’t have received the specialist care and the life saving medication he needed which kept him alive,” said Gemma.

On 11th March, Variety’s Vision for Life was officially launched at NETS Westmead, which is the

communications hub for Vision for Life and serves as the portal for the “virtual hospital”.

Variety’s Vision for Life is a revolutionary development in paediatric care which will vastly improve the diagnosis and treatment of the state’s sick and injured babies and critically ill children.

If you would like to donate to Vision for Life please visit varietynsw.org.au or call (02) 9819 1000.

/VarietyAUwww.variety.org.au P: 02 9819 1000 /VarietyAU /VarietyAustralia

Ground breaking technology saves children's lives

• Variety’s Vision for Life has been installed in 7 hospitals with a further 14 hospitals set to receive the technology in the next few months

• To date more than 100 children’s lives have been impacted by the technology

• Aiming to introduce Variety’s Vision for Life to more than 200 hospitals across NSW

• Variety needs to raise an additional $7M to install Variety’s Vision for Life in every NSW hospital.

• Variety’s Vision for Life technology costs $30,000 per machine

Fast facts

Aussie artists line the stage for the Great Australian Songbook Was there a concert that produced more “feel-good” moments, musical surprises and sheer entertainment than last year’s inaugural Great Australian Songbook event? We don’t think so, and that’s why we’re doing it all again in 2014!

Variety will again be the beneficiary of what promises to be another wonderful night at the Enmore Theatre on May 26 combining a fresh line-up of 20 of Australia’s finest singers performing some of Australia’s greatest songs.

We’re pleased to announce a stellar line-up of artists: Jon Stevens, Shannon Noll, Ian Moss, Hoodoo Guru’s Dave Faulkner, Diesel, James Morrison, Christine Anu, iOTA, Casey Donovan, Monica Trapaga, Dragon lead singer Mark Williams, Ciaran Gribbin (most recent lead singer of INXS), Steve Balbi, country star Tamara Stewart, Jeff Duff, 11-year-old drumming sensation Jagger Alexander-Erber and Variety Ambassadors John Paul Young and John Williamson – with more to come!

What makes the concert so unique – and so much fun – is watching the performers put their own stamp on a wide variety of songs from The Great Australian Songbook. Some of their choices are VERY surprising, leading to unforgettable, never-to-be-repeated musical moments. In honour of all things Aussie Rock, this year’s finale will pay tribute to the one-and-only INXS.

DiARy DATESFINE CHINA LUNCHEON Wednesday 7th May 2014 VArIETY NSW AHA BASH Sunday 18th - Saturday 24th May GrEAT AUSTrALIAN SONGBOOk Monday 26th MayALOPECIA AWArENESS WEEk Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th JuneVArIETY OF CHEFS Saturday 26th JulyVArIETY DICk SMITH B TO B BASH Friday 8th – Sunday 17th AugustVisit www.varietynsw.org.au & EVENTS to find out more.

INXS’s most recent lead singer Ciaran Gribbin, who toured with the band in their last year, will perform as part of the finale.

Ticket purchases help to support Variety and Aussie kids in need. There will also be some fantastic ‘money can’t buy’ auction and raffle prizes up for grabs on the night, with funds also being contributed to Variety.

When Monday 26th MayWhere Enmore TheatrePrice VIP - $149 SOLD OUT A reserve - $99 B reserve - $69Tickets Purchase your tickets at www.variety.org.au/GreatAustralianSongbook

Ella's wish comes trueSix-year-old Ella lost all of her hair when she was only 10 months of age. At preschool the other children wanted to know why she had no hair on her head, nor eyebrows or eyelashes, and their questions saw Ella slowly lose her sense of confidence as it became clear to her that she was different. She longed to have a wig, so she could look like everyone else, and was delighted when Variety made her wish come true, granting her a human hair suction wig.

Ella’s mother Alanna said, “When Ella started school this year, no one knew she had no hair. One day in class the

teacher was talking about ‘how you change as a baby’, and Ella volunteered to stand up in front of her class and share her story with them, which is a remarkable feat for a child who had been so lacking in confidence.”

“You want your child to have the best life they can have, and seeing Ella so happy and confident has brought us so much pride and joy. The cost of the wig was beyond our family budget, and we are grateful to everyone who has donated money to Variety to help Ella and so many other children in need.”

Did you know the average Variety wig costs $3,500?

Four year old gives the greatest gift Four year old Fynn is your typical happy and healthy pre-schooler who loves to play and wants to live in a fairy castle. Fynn has done something extra special compared to your usual youngster, she’s donated her hair to be made into a wig for someone who has lost their hair due to alopecia.

Just by chance, Fynn was in need of a haircut, and rather than her hair go to waste on the hairdresser floor, her parents suggested she donate her hair to help someone who would need it more than her. On top of her hair donation, Fynn wanted to help raise funds for Variety to purchase a wig for a child who was unable to afford their own. Fynn rallied the local community, and raised an astounding amount of over $1,400!

Fynn and her parents were delighted with her new short hairdo and being able to do something for others. Fynn’s mother Tracey said “I am so very proud of her and of the community that got behind us and donated. It’s fantastic.“

www.princesscharlottealopecia.com

Alopecia Awareness WeekAlopecia is a condition in which a person loses their hair and with no known cure, is often permanent. Variety aims to help children with alopecia gain back their self-esteem and independence with the provision of human hair wigs. We also take donations of hair which are made into wigs for children.

Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th June Variety is hosting Alopecia Awareness Week which aims to increase awareness of alopecia and the effects (both physically and emotionally) on those living with the condition. The focus is on generating support and funds for children living with alopecia.

princesscharlottealopecia.com

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:

• Donate your hair to be made into a wig

for someone living with the condition

• Become a designated hairdresser where

people can donate their hair

• Hold a fundraiser at your school or

workplace to help spread the message

• Donate to help purchase a wig for a

child with alopecia

Bashers set to take Sydney by storm!

Patrick finds his rhythm

This year the Variety Dick Smith B to B Bash is going national! That’s right, this year all Bashers across Australia will be converging into Sydney on Sunday the 17th August.

Where did it all start?

In 1985 Dick and Pip Smith organised a group of their philanthropic mates and drove in old cars from Bourke to Burketown in the Gulf area of Queensland. It was called the Bourke to Burketown Bash and around $250,000, was raised for Variety. At the conclusion of the inaugural Bash it was unanimous that the event must continue... and so the Bash began.

Due to popularity, the Variety Bash takes place in every state across Australia and has blossomed to become the largest Charity Motoring Event in Australia. In 2013 the combined efforts of all the State Bashers raised in excess of $8.5 million NET sending the total since 1985 past the $133 million NET mark.

The 2014 National Bash

Every five years all Variety state Bashers meet in one location on their Bash journey to celebrate their fundraising efforts and this year it will be in Sydney for the first time. An expected number of 600 Bash cars will parade across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday the 17th August followed by a celebratory dinner for over 2,000 Bashers at the Sydney Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.

The Variety Dick Smith B to B Bash

Traditionally the NSW Bash has started the B to B Bash in Sydney, however this year the Bash is going back to front and the Bashers will be finishing in Sydney instead. The 2014 Variety Dick Smith Brisbane to Busby’s Bore Bash will start in the heart of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

From Brisbane, the Variety Dick Smith Bash will travel from Bundaberg, Blackwater, Barcaldine, Burrenbilla, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Bonegilla, Bowral and finishing at Busby’s Bore inside Sydney’s Centennial Park. Pretty much a “B” line from Brisbane to Sydney! Along the route in true Bash style, registrants will be visiting local schools and communities, providing them with practical goods to give a helping hand

to the kids and their families.

In early March, 38 young individuals bursting with enthusiasm and pride were presented with a Variety Scholarship, helping them to reach their full potential. Patrick was amongst the bright and talented kids to receive a Variety Scholarship to help fund music therapy and instruments.

Patrick has myotonic dystrophy and multiple learning conditions, initially being told that he would never walk or talk. Patrick is now able to walk and talk fairly well with the support of his sole carers, his grandparents. Through the individual music sessions, Patrick has found a means to express himself through the musical sounds that he produced. He enjoys the intimacy of the social interaction through music-making and it provides an environment to explore his emotions and experiment on ways to communicate and interact, be it through singing, movement, or instrumental playing. The Variety Scholarship which was generously

sponsored by Sydney Airport, will enable Patrick to further secure some of the skills that he has learnt while being challenged to be more spontaneous in his communication and social interactions. As an extension to his individual therapy, group music therapy will provide Patrick with an additional opportunity where he will learn to interact with his peers through a non-threatening environment. This will be a step for Patrick to be slowly prepared for his post-school environment in two years’ time.

In 2014 38 Scholarships were awarded,

valued at over $97,000.

20142014

How to join the Bash

Visit variety.org.au/nswBASH to find out more and join this motoring sensation!

Variety, along with Virgin Velocity Australia and Inspired Adventures are offering an exclusive 11 day trek through the mesmerising Sumatran jungle this October. Participants will have the opportunity to trek through the lush rainforest bustling with wildlife, have firsthand experience feeding orangutans, and help locals in a regional town with a community project.

Letters with HeartVariety helped provide wheelchair modifications to the family car to allow 6 year old Rex to be transported safely and easily. Rex has Mitochondrial DNA disorder with associated Leigh Syndrome, and cannot stand or walk, confining him to a wheelchair. Prior to having the van, it was becoming very difficult to take Rex anywhere due to his growing size and lack of support from a standard car seat. Now with the new modification, Rex can safely sit in the family vehicle in his power wheelchair, offering him full support.

Here is a letter from his grateful family:

Variety goes to the jungle!Trip highlights include:

• Trek through Sumatra’s last remaining tropical rainforest

• Feeding orangutans

• Bathing elephants

• Working on a community project to leave a lasting impression

As part of the trek, participants raise funds for Variety.

There are limited spots available so register your interest today so you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Visit variety.org.au/sumatra

to find out more!

We are pleased to announce Sydney Airport’s Community Christmas Giving Appeal raised more than $180,000 for Variety!

The airport came alive with creative decorations, interactive displays and activities throughout the six-week campaign in November and December last year.

Variety would like to say a BIG thank you to our army of over 600 volunteers and the generosity of the airport community who helped make the campaign possible. We couldn’t have done it without them!

The funds raised will go towards a range of vital equipment for children and families in need, including a customised 14 seater Variety Sunshine Coach with a wheelchair modification for The Hills School in Northmead. The Sunshine Coach will enable their students to participate in life skills training, hands on learning, school camps, and other fun and beneficial activities, which are often the highlight of their time at school.

Sydney Airport and Variety will soon host a behind-the-scenes airport tour for children from The Hills School to present them with their new Variety Sunshine Coach. The children will enjoy a barbecue and presentation at the airport before being escorted on their new coach for a private airfield tour.

Matt Moran set to cook up a stormVariety’s esteemed black tie event, Variety of Chefs, is bursting with flavour.

Taking place on Saturday 26th July at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, the 6th Annual Variety of Chefs is set to create gastronomical delight for food lovers thanks to feature chef Matt Moran who will be cooking alongside Marion Grasby and Darren Robertson.

This is certainly an event that you don’t want to miss out on with more chefs and exciting entertainment to be released soon!

Visit variety.org.au/VarietyofChefs to find out more!

The gift of Christmas keeps on giving