Hastings youngster Emilia Stewart was just two when she was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Now the brave five-year-old is in remission and looking forward to starting school. She’s also the delightful face of this year’s Go Red for Redkite campaign with Coles.
Redkite is a national childhood cancer charity that supports children and young people with cancer, as well as their families. Its services include counselling, financial assistance and practical help during treatment and beyond, so families don’t have to face childhood cancer alone.
Emilia’s mum, Amy, was 36 weeks pregnant with Emilia’s younger sister, Maeve, when the family received the shattering diagnosis. As Emilia began her treatment, including chemotherapy, transfusions and lengthy hospital stays, Amy was juggling Maeve’s arrival with daily hospital trips of up to an hour. With household and travel costs mounting, Redkite provided financial assistance for essentials including groceries and bills, as well as emotional support when things became overwhelming.
“I remember having an awful morning, and I just picked up the phone and called Redkite,” Amy says. “I spoke to one of the social workers, and it was just really helpful. Our social worker came and gave us all of these goodies to make our hospital stay easier. There was a beautiful teddy bear that Emilia still has.
“I was on maternity leave, so I was on minimum wage. We had this insane gas bill that came through, which was almost $700. Redkite helped pay for some of that. We also had financial help with our car registration and some other bigger bills as well as groceries, because we were travelling back and forth to the hospital so often.”
Now she’s finished treatment, Emilia has started ballet and is looking forward to starting school next year – ordinary childhood milestones that carry special meaning for her family. Amy describes her as deeply empathetic and caring, qualities shaped by all she and those closest to her have been through.
Emilia’s story highlights the impact of the Go Red for Redkite campaign, running until October 27 in Coles supermarkets and online. Coles and participating brands will donate a portion of sales of selected products to Redkite. Since launching in 2024, the initiative has raised more than $750,000 and aims to reach $1 million this year.
Redkite CEO Monique Keighery says the campaign gives Australians an easy way to help families during their regular grocery shop. Those everyday choices can provide practical support such as fuel to reach treatment, free counselling for family members or music therapy for a child in hospital.
Find out more at www.redkite.org.au
