Community and Sponsorship

A closer look at the individual Journeys supported by the  Sporting Chance Foundation working with families and those needing specialised care:

Supporting Cancer Care Close to Home: Pippa’s Journey

Melissa and her daughter Pippa live in the small country town of Terang, Victoria. Their story began when Pippa, just three years old, showed signs of severe fatigue, pale skin, and unexplained bruising. Melissa initially thought it was just an iron deficiency, but a visit to the doctor turned their lives upside down. That same evening, the doctor delivered life-changing news—Pippa needed immediate care in Melbourne. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The diagnosis was a devastating blow for the single mother and her young daughter. They had to relocate to Melbourne, far from their close-knit community, to begin an intensive treatment regimen that would span over two and a half years. Like many rural families facing childhood cancer, Melissa and Pippa's world was upended by the challenges of accessing specialised care in a big city.

Childhood cancer is rare, and care is often centralised in major cities, leading many families to make difficult choices. In the past, families like Melissa’s would have had no choice but to relocate to the city indefinitely, creating financial and emotional strain. However, with support from Sporting Chance, families can now access specialised care closer to home.

Chris, a dedicated nurse and part of the outreach team, played a crucial role in Pippa's care. He is based at the Royal Children's Hospital as a Bob Skilton Outreach nurse, focusing on delivering cancer care to regional families in Victoria. Through Sporting Chance’s work, families don’t have to choose between their child’s health and staying connected to their community.

"One in three children in our cancer center doesn’t live in Melbourne," says Chris, highlighting the importance of regional care options. The Sporting Chance initiative brings chemotherapy and supportive care—such as transfusions and fever management—closer to home for many families, sparing them the burden of long-distance travel.

For Melissa and Pippa, the support meant everything. Halfway through Pippa's treatment, her doctors discovered she could receive some of her care locally in Warrnambool, three hours closer to home. This was a game-changer, allowing Pippa to return to school and Melissa to resume work. They no longer had to pay for accommodation or endure hours of travel. “It was back to normal,” Melissa said.

Sporting Chance’s outreach efforts save families not only travel time but also financial and social costs. According to Chris, local treatment options for children with leukemia saved families around 25,000 kilometers of travel, allowing children to maintain connections with school, friends, and their community.

Now, Pippa is eight years old and in remission, thriving back in her hometown. Her story is a testament to the impact of compassionate, community-focused care. As Chris notes, "One of the signs of a good health service is how we look after the most vulnerable in our community. There’s nothing more vulnerable than a young child facing a cancer diagnosis. When we can provide that care with the support of Sporting Chance, it's a truly great outcome."

Through their work, Sporting Chance is not just saving kilometers on the road; they’re helping children like Pippa get back to living their lives—healthier, happier, and at home.