Thanks to you, Sharlette paved the way for other children in Tasmania and recieved treatment locally while staying at Ronlad McDonald House.
On May 2nd 2020, 5-year-old Sharlette Bardsley was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The tumour was discovered after Sharlette woke up with her left eye turning in. Sharlette and her mum Cassandra were airlifted to Melbourne for emergency medical treatment.
Cassandra and Sharlettes nan Michelle faced numerous challenges in Melbourne during treatment. The onset of COVID-19 meant that only one family member could be by Sharlette’s bedside. Cassandra and Michelle had to “tag team” to and from hospital to care for Sharlette and make sure they could get the rest they themselves needed, by going to the House to sleep and eat. This makes the journey a little more difficult.
After several months of treatment, Sharlette gained special permission to receive chemotherapy for medulloblastoma in Hobart instead of Melbourne. This was ground-breaking news for Sharlette, as Tasmanian medical staff have never done these specific treatments before.
Sharlette and her family returned to Tasmania and stayed at Ronald McDonald House Hobart while she received treatment. They stayed there for 5 months and have paved the way for other children in Tasmania to have these treatments locally rather than interstate. Sharlette’s family didn’t know what they would’ve done without the support of the Ronald McDonald House Hobart, and are thankful for the care and support that was provided during their stay.
Sharlette and her family stayed at Ronald McDonald House Hobart for 127 nights and will be coming back to stay when she has follow-up appointments. We look forward to seeing Sharlette and other children get the treatment they need closer to home with the support of our House program.
Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania
Children like Sharlette, who has needed months of treatment, miss out on time spent at home surrounded by their family. The purpose of Ronald McDonald House is to provide a safe and supportive home-away-from-home for families when they need it the most.
In 2019 Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania supported 2,402 families.
