By Mikayla van Loon
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne has been a pillar in many families’ lives throughout its 150 years and for people like the McAleer’s, it became a second home during their eldest daughter’s cancer diagnosis.
While Lucy’s battle with DIPG was lost, her parents Brian and Nicole were eternally grateful for the support and care provided by the doctors and nurses at RCH.
“It definitely was a second home for the five weeks that we were there…and the staff, they almost became like this extended family,” Brian said.
“We were there for a very difficult thing and Lucy was going through a lot and that was hard but it was comfortable, it was supported and it was a nice place to be given the circumstances.”
Practically living at the hospital for five weeks straight while Lucy underwent treatment, Nicole said nothing was ever too much trouble and pretty much everything was made possible.
At eight years old, Lucy had a love for animals, particularly green sea turtles and white tigers, and when it was realised she would be staying in the hospital for a few weeks, the nurses helped decorate her room with all her favourite things.
“The children that are there for extended periods of time have their own personal sign on their door and after a week one of the nurses had a bit of time and so [Lucy] had two big signs with her name on there, one with turtles and one with white tigers,” Nicole said.
“They just knew Lucy. The nurses would wear the colours Lucy liked and on the morning of her passing one of the nurses actually wore one of her favourites, she had Harry Potter scrubs on.”
Brian said Lucy had an infectious energy, one that was bright and caring, one that showed a love of life and a love for being creative in many ways, whether it was writing or drawing.
As parents, seeing how much the staff at RCH embraced Lucy’s entrepreneurial endeavours and her loving nature, Brian and Nicole said they now have a deep connection with the hospital.
“We’re so grateful that we’ve got a hospital of that calibre in Melbourne that can look after children from all over Australia and it doesn’t cost the families a thing,” Brian said.
“I think that’s one of the best gifts that anyone can get and I don’t think you truly understand how much of a blessing that is until you have to go to that hospital.”
With the Good Friday Appeal coming up, Brian said many people may donate but then forget about the impact the RCH has on families like themselves.
“Once you’ve been in there and you spend time there, you realise that those donations are so important because it’s making sure that it remains free, and that it has the best, the best equipment, the best facilities, the best staff in the world, and it attracts the best of the best and I think we’re really lucky to have that in Australia,” he said.
Although Lucy’s story didn’t end how they wanted, Brian and Nicole now hope people will donate generously to the Good Friday Appeal, if not for someone they know, for the families they don’t.
To donate this Good Friday, visit www.goodfridayappeal.com.au/donate/
