Maree Smith

I’m stepping up for Thea, and the incredible impact of Starlight.... And I need YOUR support.

I’m stepping up for sick kids in support of the Starlight Children's Foundation because I’ve seen firsthand what true magic looks like, and it wears purple and yellow.

Our beautiful girl, Thea, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina) in her right eye. There is no handbook for hearing the words “your child has cancer.” The world tilts. Time stands still. Your heart learns how to break and beat at the same time.

What followed was a journey no family ever imagines for their child. Hospital corridors, specialist appointments, surgery, fear, bravery beyond her years… and a little girl who just wanted to play.

And that’s where Starlight stepped in.
The Starlight Captains didn’t see a diagnosis, they saw a child. They turned hospital waiting rooms into spaces filled with laughter. They replaced fear with fun. They reminded Thea (and us) that she was more than a patient, that she was, and is, pure light.
In our darkest moments, they brought brightness.
When we felt powerless, they gave her power.
When cancer tried to steal her childhood, Starlight fiercely gave it back.

The impact wasn’t just on Thea, it was on all of us.
On her sisters.
On our family.
On tired parents trying to be brave.
They gave us breathing space. They gave us joy when joy felt impossible. They gave our girl moments of magic in the middle of the unimaginable.

We will forever carry gratitude, humility and deep respect for every Captain, every volunteer, every donor and every human behind Starlight. They don’t just fund programs, they create childhood memories where they’re needed most.

Our girl was unlucky in health, but so incredibly lucky in support and through Starlight. And that’s why we’re stepping up. Because every child facing illness deserves more than treatment...
They deserve laughter.
They deserve colour in the grey.
They deserve to feel like kids first and patients second.

We want to ensure that any child who is as unfortunate as our girl in health is just as fortunate in the life-changing impact of Starlight.
Cancer picked the wrong kid.
But Starlight picked her up.
All kids deserve fun.
All kids deserve happiness.
All kids deserve childhood.

So we’re stepping up with full hearts, fierce gratitude, and a promise to give back to the magic that carried us through.

If we can help even one more family feel what we felt , hope in the hard, light in the dark, then every step will be worth it.

I'm not here just to raise money... I'm here to raise hope!!!