A family that endured a life-threatening health scare is inspiring others to get behind a Sunshine Coast hospital charity that is aiming to raise $200,000.
When Ben and Kylie Thornton’s five-year-old daughter Madison fell critically ill with bacterial meningitis last March, their world changed overnight.
“You think she’s gone,” Ben said, 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, supporting the family through each terrifying setback and hard-won milestone.
Therapy dogs and clown doctors brought light-hearted reprieve.
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Charity 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.
Thanks to exceptional hospital care, crucial community-funded equipment and programs supported by Wishlist, Maddi made an incredible recovery and is now 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.
The Buddina family is 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.”
Wishlist aims to raise $200,000 for programs and medical equipment that saves lives and brings comfort to those in need.
Key funding priorities include: a biplane imaging unit, which is critical for treating stroke and aneurysm patients, helping save lives and reduce disabling complications; Faxitron and Sentimag machines for improving breast cancer treatment outcomes and recovery times; and ongoing Wishlist services like therapy dogs, clown doctors, patient accommodation and support programs.
The contributions from last year’s Wishlist Giving Day raised $280,600, funding services like the Outpatient Hysteroscopy Clinic, which improved care for hundreds of local women.
Wishlist Giving Day will run from 6am to 6pm, Thursday, March 27.
See the Wishlist website for more details.
