Just before Ariana’s 6th birthday, she was shockingly diagnosed with life threatening bone marrow failure.
To treat her condition, Ariana endured chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and over 100 blood transfusions, the first of which was nearly fatal.
“A severe reaction caused her oxygen to drop, and her lungs to go into distress. It was such a shocking experience," recalls mum Rebecca.
Ariana continued to suffer a series of viruses and infections that would compromise her treatment, and leave her extremely vulnerable.
Ariana spent close to an entire year shut off from the outside world, unable to have contact with her siblings, or even other kids on her ward. Captain Starlight was the only non-medical person Ariana saw.
When Ariana was gifted a Starlight Wish, she immediately started to plan a fun-filled holiday to the Gold Coast for the family to enjoy together.
Taking on the theme parks VIP style was the perfect way for this young family to reconnect after so much time apart, relax and have fun.
“It was so wonderful to see the kids together again, laughing and happy after all their time apart. It was so great just for us all to have some fun!” says Rebecca.
This video below explains the impact of a Starlight Wish and the power of the Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight.
Please give generously to Starlight this Christmas.
How your donation helps
$5,000
Become a friend of the Starlight Express Room
$7,500
Grants a life-changing Starlight Wish
$10,000
Give generous support to a Starlight program of your choice
The power of your support
A happy childhood makes a lasting difference to lifelong psychological wellbeing, sense of self, social connections, and healthy behaviours.
Starlight programs give kids and families a break from the stress of hospital. Kids feel happier and more confident and positive about their future.
Starlight Wishes give sick kids something fun to look forward to and create new happy memories to treasure forever.
Kids enjoy a sense of agency in choosing their dream and it gives them and their family something fun to look forward to.
Starlight Express Rooms are medical free zones where kids are positively distracted from their illness as they are entertained by Captain Starlight.