Christmas Wish List

Cost: $85,000

An apheresis machine selectively separates blood into its components – plasma, platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells – providing vital treatment for a range of diseases, including neurological disorders, renal transplants and blood disorders.
It also plays a crucial role in stem cell collection for both autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation in blood cancer patients.
Currently, the Apheresis Unit at RNSH performs 800 procedures annually and an additional machine can provide life-saving treatment to even more patients.

Nonie Ferrer
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Apheresis and Venesection Unit
Royal North Shore Hospital

Cost: $68,000

To protect vulnerable neonates from infection, a large amount of single-use plastics is used in the NICU each year.
A disinfector would help reduce the amount of disposable equipment and save approximately $500,000 in breast milk expression kits alone.
This machine will support sustainability and also help newborn babies thrive.

Dr Eveline Staub
Head of Department
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Royal North Shore Hospital

Cost: $33,550

The video laryngoscope allows a better view of the airway, making it easier to navigate anatomical variations and ensuring adequate and continuous airway management in patients.
A new video laryngoscope would mean improved safety and efficiency during emergency intubations, reducing risk and enhancing patient outcomes.
Your support this Christmas Appeal will help to provide vital teaching, training and patient safety during intubation in emergency procedures.

Jay Halkhoree
Nursing Unit Manager
Intensive Care Unit
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital

Cost: $3,500

The Smileyscope is a virtual reality headset that takes young patients to an interactive world – underwater, through a galaxy of stars or to play with a litter of puppies.
Mostly used for patients aged four to seven, it is utilised for procedures including blood tests, cannulation insertion and plaster application.
Your donation to the Christmas Appeal can help our healthcare teams purchase equipment like a Smileyscope to help keep little patients calm.

Haylee Ellis
Paediatric Clinical Nurse Consultant
Ryde Hospital

Cost: $498,500

Patients recovering from an injury or illness such as a stroke, may require gait training to help rebuild strength in their legs and core as part of their rehabilitation.
Currently, two to three therapists are assigned to each patient to supervise their rehabilitation exercises. The addition of a robotic-assisted gait trainer will maximise therapy time and patient activity due to its easy set-up and minimal therapy assistance required.
This life-changing equipment will help patients feel like they are getting back on their feet.

Jane Woolgar
Allied Health and Physiotherapy Manager
Mona Vale Hospital

Cost: $5,000

The Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) provides age-appropriate respite care, symptom management, and end-of-life care for adolescents and young adults with life-limiting conditions. The team also places a strong emphasis on supporting family members throughout their journey.
These family care packs, filled with items like candles, incense, toiletries, and premium tea, help to provide comfort to loved ones during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

Laura Grant
Community Partnerships Manager
Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) Manly

Cost: $43,500

Approximately 3,000 babies are born annually at Royal North Shore Hospital.
A cardiotocograph (CTG) is essential in closely monitoring any changes in a baby’s heart rate pattern, providing healthcare staff with information during pregnancy and labour.
Having a new CTG machine would be beneficial in potentially preventing complications and improving outcomes for mother and baby. Your donation to the Christmas Appeal can help our team purchase more equipment like this to improve the wellbeing of newborn babies.

Mary Cameron
Midwifery Unit Manager
Royal North Shore Hospital

Cost: $20,000

The Wig Library service loans a variety of wigs, headscarves and turbans to women and men suffering from hair loss through chemotherapy treatment.
More than 250 people use the Wig Library annually and the cost of a wig is approximately $3,000, which is an additional financial expense not achievable by many patients.
Wearing a wig can often give patients a sense of confidence as they fight their illness, and your support will go towards services like helping to update and maintain the Wig Library.

Caelum Davis
CanSupport Manager
Royal North Shore Hospital

Cost: $250,000

The IncuCyte is a powerful laboratory tool enabling real-time, automated cell monitoring.
It allows researchers to track processes such as cell proliferation and cell death, giving them a better understanding of various disease models including cancer.
Your donation to the Christmas Appeal can help our team purchase valuable resources like this for both discovery and translational research in treating patients with cancer.

Dr Martyn Bullock
Postdoctoral Scientist
Cancer Genetics Lab
Kolling Institute