Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF)

Today we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day. At Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), our volunteers play a vital role in helping us raise funds and awareness to support the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Their time, energy and dedication make it possible for us to continue changing the future for sick kids and their families. Behind our incredible volunteers are the dedicated volunteer managers and leaders who make our volunteer program possible. Their guidance, care and leadership ensure our volunteers feel supported, valued and empowered to make a difference every day. Today, we acknowledge and thank our very own Fasih Syed and Carlie Davies PLV, along with the many staff and volunteer leaders who support our volunteers through events, fundraising initiatives and community programs. The commitment of our volunteer managers and leaders enables volunteers to make a lasting difference for sick kids and their families, and we are grateful for the passion and leadership they bring to these roles every day. If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer program, visit https://brnw.ch/21wXcXW

Today, we launch our Christmas Appeal! This time of year highlights what matters most — being together. Yet for many families with a child receiving care in hospital, Christmas will be spent by the bedside, hoping for more moments they can share together. By supporting the Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) Christmas Appeal, you are helping to fund essential care, groundbreaking research, and life-changing treatment for children across the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Your contribution can help give sick and injured children the best chance of going home, and give families more precious time together. We invite our community of supporters, partners and colleagues to join us in making a meaningful impact this Christmas. Together, we can change the future for sick kids. Learn more and donate: https://brnw.ch/21wXaTm

Professor Nadia Badawi AM has been named as a NSW nominee for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards. A Neonatologist, Medical Director and Co-Head of The Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and Chair of Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Nadia’s leadership and lifelong dedication to improving outcomes for vulnerable babies have transformed newborn care in Australia and beyond. This recognition is an incredible and humbling honour — not only for Nadia, but for the entire community of researchers, clinicians, nurses, families, government partners, philanthropic donors, and supporters who have made this possible. Together, their shared commitment has driven innovations that are saving babies’ lives. Thanks to this collaboration, survival rates in The Grace Centre have risen to over 97%, while disability among babies leaving the unit has reduced by more than 40%. The Grace Centre is also implementing early detection and intervention to help babies achieve their full potential. These outcomes are among the best in the world — and behind each statistic are lives saved, futures changed, and families given hope. We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Nadia Badawi on this extraordinary recognition and invite you to watch the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards on 10 November from 6pm (AEDT) at https://lnkd.in/ecCnT4g.

Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) is proud to partner with The Kids' Cancer Project to present a special pop-up exhibition at the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick. The exhibition showcases framed prints of book covers created through the Write a Book in a Day program — stories imagined, written and illustrated by children. Located in the atrium above the Plume Cafe, the display is open to patients, families and staff passing through the hospital. It offers a powerful reflection of creativity and resilience, bringing together young storytellers who are helping to make a difference for children with cancer. At SCHF, we believe in the power of community and collaboration to create lasting impact. Initiatives like Write a Book in a Day highlight how imagination, generosity and partnership can come together to inspire hope and drive meaningful change. The exhibition will be open until mid-November. Thank you to The Kids' Cancer Project and their supporters for making this exhibition possible. Together, we are changing the future for sick kids.

Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) recently held our annual Donor Recognition Evening — an opportunity to honour and celebrate the remarkable donors who have reached extraordinary milestones in their lifetime giving. Their generosity and long-term commitment continue to shape the future of children’s health across the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, helping to fund world-class care, innovative research, and vital services for sick kids and their families. At SCHF, we believe that every child deserves the best possible healthcare, whenever and wherever they need it. The support of our donor community makes this mission possible — and together, we are changing the future for sick kids.

Last week, Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) was proud to take the stage at SXSW Sydney to explore the future of children’s healthcare. Our CEO, The Hon Kristina Keneally, joined leading clinicians and innovators from across the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, including Dr Jagdev Singh, Dr Michelle Lorentzos MD, Dr Marino Festa, and Grace Currie, for an insightful discussion on how cutting-edge technology is transforming paediatric care. The panel explored how artificial intelligence, data analytics, and bioengineering are helping clinicians predict complications earlier, personalise treatment pathways, and improve outcomes for children with complex conditions. We are grateful to everyone who joined the session and to our community of supporters whose generosity makes it possible for us to drive innovation and meaningful change in children’s health.

The Coogee Bay Hotel community has once again shown incredible generosity through this year’s 28th Annual Coogee Bay Hotel Golf Day, raising $350,000 to support the Base of Skull Service (BOSS) at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. This contribution forms part of a $1 million, five-year commitment that will help ensure children who require base of skull surgery receive the highest standard of world-class care. BOSS is the first integrated paediatric multidisciplinary skull base unit in the southern hemisphere, offering minimally invasive surgical options for children with trauma, tumours, and infections in and around the base of the skull. At Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), we are proud to partner with organisations like Coogee Bay Hotel whose long-standing support helps us fund innovative services and medical advancements that give sick kids the best possible chance to live healthy, happy lives. We are deeply grateful to Coogee Bay Hotel and their community, for their continued partnership and commitment to improving health outcomes for sick kids.

Last week, Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) had the privilege of welcoming Child's Play to The Children's Hospital at Westmead, visiting all the way from Seattle, Washington. Through the generosity of Child's Play, a dedicated Child Life Therapy Technology Specialist has been employed at each hospital. These specialists are transforming care through innovation, using technology as a powerful tool to support children during their hospital experience. For sick and injured children, technology can spark imagination, create moments of comfort, and provide distraction during treatment. From interactive experiences that make procedures less daunting to immersive games that brighten long hospital stays, Child Life Therapy Technology Specialists play a vital role in improving patient experience. Child's Play's visit offered the opportunity to see firsthand the impact of their generosity. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support, which continues to help us make hospital a brighter place for children and families.

There are only a few days to go until Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) takes the stage at SXSW Sydney 2025. Join SCHF CEO The Hon Kristina Keneally for the 'Next-Gen Healthcare: The Intelligence Revolution in Paediatric Health' session Thursday 16 October, from 11.30am-12.15 pm, on the Discovery Stage. Kristina will be joined by leading clinicians and innovators including Dr Jagdev Singh, Dr Michelle Lorentzos, Dr Marino Festa and Grace Currie for a powerful discussion on how cutting-edge technology is translated to the frontline, turning insights into life-saving action. Don’t miss this important conversation at SXSW Sydney. Find out more about what to expect from the session and register for tickets here: https://brnw.ch/21wWzba

We’re delighted to welcome Elaine Austin, who has joined Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) as our new Philanthropic Writer. Elaine brings more than 20 years of experience in copywriting, communications, and fundraising, helping for-purpose organisations craft stories that inspire generosity and spark meaningful change. In her new role, Elaine will be helping share our story – bringing to life the impact of our incredible supporters, the vital work of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, and the power philanthropy has to change the future for sick kids. Please join us in welcoming Elaine to the SCHF team.