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Starlight Australia

@starlightau

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Starlight creates the fun, play & laughter seriously ill & hospitalised children need to get through tough times because we know #HappinessMatters ⭐️

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"Like a family to me." 💜

A visit to the Starlight Express Room can mean laughter and play with Captain Starlight, getting creative with arts and crafts, jumping into a game on the consoles, or simply having a place to escape the fear and uncertainty of hospital.

No matter what brings someone through the doors, it's a place where happiness matters. ⭐
Swipe to hear what the Starlight Express Room means to seriously ill children and their families. 💜 by @starlightau

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2 days ago

"Why am I in hospital all the time?" 💜

At just 3 years old, Edwin's world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Through gruelling treatment and long hospital stays, Starlight was there to bring joy, laughter and positive distraction. Whether he was visiting the Starlight Express Room or spotting Captain Starlight on the ward, those moments gave Edwin something to look forward to.

Starlight Tour de Kids starts in just one week. 🚴⭐

Sign up today and help make hospital a happier place for seriously ill children like Edwin (link in bio). by @starlightau

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6 days ago

Driving happiness, one smile at a time! 🏎️💛

We recently teamed up with Starlight, Supercars commentator and Bathurst 1000 co-driver Mark Winterbottom, Repco Ambassador Gary Reid, and Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Dr Ryan Story and Brodie Kostecki in Melbourne and Brisbane to bring trackside energy to Starlight Express Rooms!

Now it’s your turn to get behind the wheel and drive happiness for sick kids! 🏁

The Race for Smiles campaign puts you in the driver’s seat to help sick kids across Australia. Buy your virtual driver’s seat at the Repco Bathurst 1000!

Every seat purchased goes directly to Starlight Children’s Foundation in-hospital programs, helping bring joy and positivity to sick kids. by @starlightau

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6 days ago

🎢💜 For 7-year-old Aabid, his Starlight Wish was all about making memories with his family on the Gold Coast.

From conquering rollercoasters at Movie World to making memories at Sea World and Wet'n'Wild, the Wish gave Aabid and his family the opportunity to focus on fun and quality time together.

One of the most special moments came at Wet'n'Wild, where Aabid proudly went down a waterslide by himself, a milestone that reflected the determination and courage he shows every day.

Aabid gives 100+% in everything he does throughout his medical journey as he works towards his goal of walking unaided. While he requires assistance with many daily tasks, he continues to build his independence, approaching every challenge with incredible resilience, strength and positivity.

For Aabid and his family, this Wish was more than just a holiday. It was an opportunity to celebrate milestones, and create memories.

As Aabid's family shared: "Thank you for all your support to make it possible. All of us enjoyed each and every bit of that trip." ⭐💜 by @starlightau

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6 days ago

"When I saw the opportunity to volunteer with Starlight, I knew it was the perfect full-circle moment." ⭐💜

After experiencing first-hand the joy Starlight brought to her family during a difficult time, Anastasia knew she wanted to give back.

Anastasia's superpower? Her humour and genuine care for others. As a volunteer in the Starlight Express Room, she helps create colourful, memorable moments for sick kids, often from her favourite spot: the arts and crafts table. 🎨✨

One moment that has stayed with her was meeting a young girl who shared that blue was her favourite colour because she "gets to look at it in the sky every day." For Anastasia, witnessing the way children can find joy in life's simplest moments, despite the challenges they face, has been a powerful lesson. In her own words, "If I can make one child laugh, or help one parent feel there's light at the end of the tunnel, I've already won the day."

Thank you, Anastasia, for helping make hospital a happier place. ⭐💜 by @starlightau

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9 days ago

Aru has spent much of her life in and out of hospital, but one thing has never changed: the joy she feels when she sees Captain Starlight. ⭐💜

From her earliest days awaiting a heart transplant to the hospital visits she navigates today, Starlight has helped replace fear with smiles and difficult days with happy moments.

You can help make hospital a happier place for kids just like Aru by supporting Starlight. ⭐💜 by @starlightau

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14 days ago

Like most 6-year-olds, Edwin loves riding his bike. 🚲

But his journey to getting on two wheels has been far more challenging than most children will ever experience.

When Edwin was just 3 years old, his parents took him to the GP after noticing some unusual symptoms. The tests revealed a devastating diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. What followed were gruelling chemotherapy treatments, countless procedures, and long hospital stays. Through it all, one bright light shone for Edwin and his family: Starlight. 🌟

In the words of Edwin's dad, Anthony, "The Starlight Express Room brought a lot of smiles and laughs and gave Edwin something to look forward to, even when he wasn't feeling his best." Spending time with Captain Starlight and playing in the Starlight Express Room helped make hospital less frightening for Edwin, giving him the chance to simply be a kid.

This October, you can help children like Edwin experience moments of joy by taking part in Starlight Tour de Kids.

🚴 Registrations are now open, sign up via the link in bio. by @starlightau

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19 days ago

✨ A little singing, lots of dancing, and plenty of Emma Memma magic! 🦋🧡

From the moment Emma Memma stepped into the Starlight Express Room, excitement filled the air. For many children, it was a special opportunity to meet someone who spreads joy through music, movement, and imagination. Kids eagerly greeted her with their best dance moves!

Soon, the room was alive with singing, twirling, and laughter as the children joined Emma in the fun.

This visit beautifully reminded us of the incredible power of music and connection to brighten a day in hospital.

Thank you, Emma Memma, for sharing your magic with Starlight. 🌟🦋💜 by @starlightau

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22 days ago

Six-year-old twins Maisey and Stella are the best of friends. 💜

These inseparable sisters do everything together, they also share an identical rare genetic condition that severely affects their breathing and swallowing. For their family, hospital stays, treatment and medical emergencies have become an everyday reality.

But through it all, Starlight has been there. ✨

The Starlight Express Room became a place where Maisey, Stella and brother Bailey could simply be kids, a place where hospital fears are replaced by moments of happiness.

After years of frightening medical challenges, the family longed for the chance to make new memories together beyond hospital walls. That's when Maisey's Starlight Wish came true. 💫 The family travelled to the Gold Coast, where they explored Sea World, splashed through Wet'n'Wild and spent precious time together at the beach.

"It was like they were different kids. No fear, just soaking up the fun and beauty around them," Mum Renaya shared. For the first time in a long time, there were no hospital visits or appointments, just family, adventure and joy.

"There have been many times when we've not known if our time with them would be cut short. So to make these memories together as a family, to replace all the painful ones, that means the world to us." ⭐💜 by @starlightau

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23 days ago

"A magical escape from hospital life" 💜

For seriously ill children and their families, the Starlight Express Room is so much more than a place to play, it's a chance to leave the worries of hospital behind, even for a little while.

It’s a space filled with laughter, creativity, games, music and joy. A place where kids can simply be kids. ⭐

From making new friends to creating happy memories, the Starlight Express Room brings moments of fun when they’re needed most.

👉 Swipe to hear why kids and parents love the Starlight Express Room. 💜⭐ by @starlightau

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a month ago

❄️ Snow much fun, so many memories. ✨

Six families came together at @thredboparks for an unforgettable Starlight Snow Wish Week, creating memories in a true winter wonderland. ⭐💜

A week filled with adventure, friendship, laughter and incredible firsts, from experiencing snow for the very first time to learning how to ski!

Here's a glimpse into the joy and wonder of Snow Wish Week. ⭐💜 by @starlightau

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a month ago

No parent imagines spending so much of their baby's first year in hospital. 💜

At just 10 months old, Fio was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. The months that followed included gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, major surgeries and a 105-night stay in intensive care.

During that time, Fio celebrated her first birthday. A milestone that should have been spent at home surrounded by family, but was instead marked from a hospital room. 💜

Through the fear and uncertainty, Captain Starlight brought much-needed joy, laughter and moments of escape. Fio loved listening to Captain Starlight sing and play the ukulele, while her parents found connection and a welcome distraction from the realities of hospital life within the Starlight Express Room. ⭐💜

One of the most special moments came when it was finally time to go home. Captain Starlight threw Fio a farewell party and even awarded her very own Captain name: Captain Chickenwing. ⭐💜

Today, Fio is cancer-free and finally back home with her family. While she faces ongoing rehabilitation and lifelong medical care, her parents say knowing Starlight will be there for future hospital visits helps bring "a slice of normality" during life's most challenging moments. 💜 by @starlightau

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a month ago