Coles appeal to help sick kids

Coles has launched a fundraising appeal to support a “ground-breaking” program which aims to improve the survival rate and quality of life for premature babies.

As part of the leading program, stem cells are obtained from the premature baby’s placenta and cord blood before being processed and given back to the baby to protect, repair, and regenerate vital body tissue.

The stem cell program at Monash Children’s Hospital is one of a range of projects to benefit from a two-week fundraising appeal at Coles supermarkets across Australia for Curing Homesickness, a national initiative which brings children’s hospital foundations and paediatric services from across Australia together to raise awareness and funds.

Until Tuesday 12 April, Coles’ shoppers can buy a $2 donation card at the checkout to support Curing Homesickness, with all funds raised going directly to fund vital projects across the country. Shoppers can also support the cause by purchasing a jar of Mum’s Sause pasta or pizza sauce throughout the year, with 50¢ of every jar sold going to a children’s hospital foundation or paediatric service.

In addition to Monash Children’s Hospital Foundation, beneficiaries include the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and John Hunter Children’s Hospital (NSW), Canberra Hospital Foundation (ACT), The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation (Qld), Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation (SA), Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (WA) and The Royal Hobart Hospital Women’s and Children’s Services (Tas).

Curing Homesickness Director Nicola Stokes says funds raised will provide much needed support for sick kids and their families across Australia.

“We hope that Coles shoppers can join us in supporting this simple, effective campaign to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of sick kids across Australia,” she says.

“We believe kids don’t belong in hospital; they belong at home. By purchasing a $2 Curing Homesickness card or a Mum’s Sause pasta or pizza sauce, you’ll be helping to fund vital projects to minimise the amount of time kids spend in hospitals.”

Coles and its customers have already raised over $3.4 million for Curing Homesickness in just under three years through fundraising appeals and the sales of Mum’s Sause pizza and pasta sauces, with 50¢ from each product sold going to support the cause.

Coles Chief Sustainability, Property & Export Officer Thinus Keevé says the retailer wants to support children’s hospitals and paediatric services to help sick children across Australia.

“Thanks to the support of our customers, Coles has already raised more than $3.4 million for Curing Homesickness to help fund a wide range of projects across Australia, such as a new paediatric emergency department in Victoria, play therapy toys in WA and SA, and meningococcal vaccines for adolescents living in remote Indigenous communities in the NT,” he says.

“However, the need is ongoing, and we hope our customers will get behind this important cause to fund vital new projects which can make a real difference to sick children and their families.”