When Ben and Kylie’s vibrant five-year-old daughter Maddi fell critically ill in March 2024 with bacterial meningitis, their world changed overnight.
“You think she’s gone,” Ben recalls, describing the traumatic moment Maddi went limp and stopped breathing in his arms.
What followed was a gruelling hospital stay filled with fear, exhaustion, and glimmers of hope.
The intensive care team at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital worked tirelessly to save Maddi’s life, supporting the family through each terrifying setback and hard-won milestone.
Therapy dogs and clown doctors brought light-hearted reprieve, turning hospital rooms into spaces of joy and laughter.
Wishlist’s Parents’ Retreat offered Ben and Kylie a small comfort during their toughest days, providing them with a nearby refuge to regroup and stay close to Maddi.
Today, Maddi is a vibrant and energetic girl.
Inspired by their journey, Ben and Kylie, now committed supporters of Wishlist along with their company, Protector Aluminium, are participating as matched donors for this year’s Giving Day. They are also actively sharing the message about the significant difference that Giving Day can create.
“You can’t put a price on hope, and that’s what Wishlist gave us,” Kylie said.
“They make an incredible difference for families going through unimaginable challenges. It’s all possible thanks to the community.”
Maddi’s story has a happy ending. Now thriving, she serves as a living testament to the impact of community generosity.
This year, on Giving Day, Wishlist aims to raise $200,000 for programs and medical equipment that save lives and bring comfort to those in need.
Key funding priorities include:
– Biplane Imaging Unit: Critical for treating stroke and aneurysm patients, helping save lives and reduce disabling complications.
– Faxitron and Sentimag Machines: Vital technology for improving breast cancer treatment outcomes and recovery times.
– Ongoing Wishlist Services: Providing therapy dogs, clown doctors, patient accommodation, and support programs that offer comfort during the toughest times.
The contributions from Wishlist Giving Day 2024 raised an incredible $280,600, funding services like the Outpatient Hysteroscopy Clinic, which improved care for hundreds of local women.
This year, your support can provide new medical advances and offer moments of joy, care, and respite to families in crisis.
Wishlist Giving Day is more than just fundraising; it’s about creating connections and hope. Whether you’re donating or helping spread the word, every contribution has a ripple effect that touches countless lives.
No parent expects to watch their child fight for life, but for Ben and Kylie, that devastating reality came true.
Thanks to exceptional hospital care, crucial community- funded equipment, and programs supported by Wishlist, Maddi made an incredible recovery.
Wishlist Giving Day gives the Sunshine Coast community the opportunity to bring the same life-saving support to more families like Maddi’s.
For 12 hours, Wishlist Giving Day will unite the community with the goal of raising $200,000 to transform local healthcare services for patients and families. Every dollar donated will be doubled thanks to generous businesses like Protector Aluminium, Sunshine Toyota, Exemplar Health, Humble Gift Co and Nestle.
How to get involved:
– Donate: Every dollar counts, and thanks to matched donations, your impact is instantly doubled.
– Share: Help us amplify the message by sharing Maddi’s story with your network. Become a Matcher: Inspire the community while doubling the impact.
Wishlist Giving Day will run from 6am to 6pm, Thursday 27 March, and will be broadcast LIVE for 12-hours on 92.7MIXFM.
To learn more, visit wishlist.org.au
