Help Starship Answer The Calls Of Children Across Aotearoa

Starship is our national children’s
hospital, ‘On call for children across
Aotearoa’ 

This winter, the
Starship Foundation is asking New Zealanders to support
Starship as they answer the calls of children across
Aotearoa.

Starship services and clinicians reach every
corner of the country, working in partnership with local
teams around New Zealand. This country-wide care means
children and young people get the urgent care they need in
hospital, and the ongoing support they need to thrive at
home.

Children like 11-year-old Shaun from Havelock
North.

Shaun’s had an immensely challenging start to
life. He was born with Short Bowel Syndrome – a rare
condition affecting around one in every 250,000 children. In
total, he’s spent around three years as an in-patient
across Hawkes Bay, Wellington, and Starship
Hospitals.

Now, thanks to ongoing care from Starship
and his local medical team, Shaun spends most of his time at
home. He sees his Starship specialist at an Outreach Clinic
at Hawkes Bay Hospital every six months or so, and his local
care team accesses specialist feedback and support from
Starship when they need it.

Shaun’s Mum Anna says
Starship’s ongoing support has been life-changing for
Shaun and his whānau; “He’s a normal boy. He runs
around and play-fights with his friends. He loves salt and
vinegar chips. It’s fantastic – especially considering
the roller coaster journey we’ve been on.”

There
are thousands of children like Shaun around Aotearoa who
sometimes need urgent medical care at Starship, or ongoing
support. Starship is ‘on-call’ to respond whenever a
child is in need.

Emma Maddren, Interim Director
Starship Medical and Community says, “Across the length
and breadth of the country, we work in partnership with
local care providers so our tamariki and rangatahi get the
care they need. We aim to provide that care as close to home
as possible. That includes specialist visits at local
hospitals, over-the-phone support, emergency retrieval
flights, and online children’s medical care guidelines for
professionals across the country.”

“Here at
Starship, winter often means higher than usual admissions.
Our doctors, nurses and support staff are doing an
incredible job caring for our children, whānau and
communities in challenging circumstances.”

The
Starship Foundation has stood alongside Starship for more
than 30 years, helping bring our children better health and
brighter futures. Chief Executive Aisha Daji Punga says that
New Zealanders who support Starship are making a real
difference.

“Here at the Starship Foundation we see
exciting times ahead at Starship with aspirations to lead
equity, innovation and excellence in child health in the new
landscape of healthcare. In fact, I believe there’s never
been a more important time to donate to
Starship.”

“Donations to our campaign will support
Starship to seek out new and innovative care delivery, to
roll out health equity initiatives and to support our
Starship workforce as they navigate the challenges of
winter.”

“Through the challenges of winter 2022,
Starship is ‘on call’ for the children of Aotearoa.
Right now, we’re calling for your support.”

For
families like Shaun’s, having Starship on call is
immensely comforting. Shaun’s message is this; “Thank
you Starship for making me happy. Thank you for
everything.”

Donate to help Starship answer the
calls of children across Aotearoa at www.starshiponcall.org.nz.

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