Spending time in hospital is never easy, but during Christmas, it’s particularly challenging. Time with loved ones, festive meals, and gift exchanges are cherished moments many patients miss. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the Canberra Hospital Foundation (CHF) can make the season a little brighter for patients and their families.

Through heartfelt donations from community members, schools, community groups and local businesses, in 2023, CHF provided more than 8,000 gifts for those unable to sit by their family’s Christmas tree, supported health and wellbeing programs that offer comfort and distraction during difficult times and contributed to state of the art technologies offering patients access to advanced robotic rehabilitation after neurological injuries such as strokes. These acts of kindness create moments of joy, connection and hope for people when they need them most.

One great example of your support at work is the Child and Adolescent Hospital in the Home program. This service allows sick kids to get hospital-level care at home. It means fewer hospital visits and more time with family.

Children and their families face particularly tough challenges when Christmas is spent in hospital. Likewise, individuals with cognitive impairments or dementia who are separated from their loved ones during this special season miss out on irreplaceable moments of togetherness. 

This Christmas, if you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider donating to CHF. Your support helps patients of all ages—from newborns to the elderly—across a wide range of injuries and illnesses. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a vital role in reducing stress, fostering family connection, and bringing light into lives during the most difficult times.

Together, we can help ensure that no one feels alone this Christmas. Whatever you can give, you’ll ensure that while our community is celebrating the holiday season, patients and their families are not forgotten. 

To find out more or to donate, visit canberrahospitalfoundation.org.au/christmas-appeal-2024