The RCH was abuzz with activity on Friday March 30, as we celebrated the 87^th year of the Good Friday Appeal (GFA).

CEO John Stanway was at MCEC when the final figure was announced at midnight, and said he was humbled by the support of our community.

“Once again, Victorians have generously given to the Appeal, so the RCH can continue to deliver outstanding care to some of Australia’s sickest children,” John said.

“I would sincerely like to thank everyone who contributed to this outstanding result – our RCH staff, patients, families and supporters who have all played an important role in the success of the Appeal.

“I would also like to thank the many people who gave up their time to make the Appeal a special day for our patients and families here at the hospital.”

Funds raised from the GFA enable the RCH to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and technology, continue ground breaking research and deliver patient and family centred care.

Some specific initiatives the funds from the 2018 GFA will go towards include:

• Infant warmers for our premature and critically ill babies so we can maintain their body temperature while allowing families to stay in closer contact with them.
• New software and training so we can conduct tests by a child’s bed instead of making them move across the hospital.
• Continued funding of the work we are doing with Austin Health to establish a national paediatric intestinal transplant program.

The 2018 GFA was again supported by our media partners the Herald and Weekly Times, who have supported the Appeal since it began 87 years ago and we marked 61 years of Channel Seven’s support.

To see a gallery of activities at the hospital on Good Friday, click here. 

On behalf of our patients and staff, we want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Appeal.