The Rickett Family, Stewart Island
The Rickett family from Stewart Island created a bit of a stir in the House last June. Since the house opened its doors in 1994 it was the first time we had greeted guests from the deep, deep South.
Jessica Rickett and her family, spent 11 nights in June with us as Jessica was scheduled to see cardiac specialists at Starship for her heart condition. Jessica, now 13, was diagnosed with rhabdomyoscarcoma (a form of cancer) at just 17 months old. She is now thankfully in remission but one of the chemotherapy drugs she had taken during her numerous courses of treatment has taken its toll on her body, weakening her heart muscle.
Jessica’s heart condition was only diagnosed five years ago. At the time it was thought she would soon require a heart transplant as Jessica was so very sick. Doctors immediately started her on medication which she has responded well to.
Jessica and her family returned home to Stewart Island and continued to receive checkups at Southland Hospital in Invercargill, her health suffered a setback more recently and they moved to Invercargill to be closer to the medical care she requires. Another small procedure saw the family back staying with us just prior to Christmas.
Jessica is now at the top of the list for a transplant and is heading to Auckland in February to prepare to receive her new heart!
The RMH Auckland Trust funds and governs Ronald McDonald House Auckland (48 rooms), the Ronald McDonald House Family Room (13 short stay critical care rooms) in Starship Hospital and RMHA St Martins (16 offsite apartments). It is a registered community charitable trust comprised of the following partners: Auckland District Health Board, Child Cancer Foundation, Heart Children, The Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland, Ronald McDonald House Charities and 2 community representatives. The House, Family Room and St Martins provide a ‘home away from home’ for over 3,000 families of children with life-threatening illnesses each year. The Trust through its staff and partnerships actively fundraises throughout New Zealand to achieve the $3,000,000 p.a. it needs to run the facilities and support its families. Charity Registration number: CC23591