Children and young people undergoing cancer treatment at Canberra Hospital are receiving specialised emotional and developmental support thanks to a generous partnership between Camp Quality, Canberra Hospitals Foundation and Canberra Health Services. 

Camp Quality has funded a dedicated Child Life Therapist position for two years, helping to provide tailored support for children and families navigating cancer treatment and paediatric palliative care.  

For children facing serious illness, hospital can be an overwhelming and frightening place. Child Life Therapists help make those experiences easier by using play, preparation, education and emotional support to help children better understand and cope with treatment. 

The Camp Quality Child Life Therapist works alongside healthcare teams across paediatric clinical areas at Canberra Hospital, supporting young patients through procedures, treatment and hospital stays while helping preserve important moments of childhood through play and connection. 

The role will also strengthen paediatric palliative care services across the ACT and surrounding regions, including support for children and families receiving care at home. 

Camp Quality has a long history of supporting children impacted by cancer and their families through programs that build optimism, resilience and connection. This new partnership extends that support directly into the hospital setting, helping ensure children receive compassionate, family-centred care throughout treatment. 

Canberra Hospitals Foundation CEO Helen Falla said the partnership would have a meaningful impact on families during some of the most challenging times in their lives. 

“We know that emotional wellbeing is an important part of a child’s healthcare journey. Thanks to Camp Quality’s generosity, more children and families will receive the specialised support they need to feel safer, more supported and less alone during treatment.” 

The Camp Quality Child Life Therapist position represents the powerful impact philanthropy can have in enhancing patient care and supporting the wellbeing of children and families across our region. 

Canberra Hospitals Foundation sincerely thanks Camp Quality for their generosity, compassion and commitment to helping local children facing cancer.