Say hello to one of our SUPER Steppers, Jess!
This is the second year that Jess and her fury friend 'Dug' are stepping up for our Super Steps challenge. In 2024, they raised an incredible $1,613 - brightening the lives of over 41 seriously ill children and their back again having already raised almost $200 and climbing.
Jess herself has a personal connection to Starlight, after having been admitted to hospital roughly three times a year since age one to age fourteen with severe asthma attacks. One day after falling off her bike, she was rushed through emergency, in and out of consciousness with partially collapsed lung, which led to a further asthma attack in her sleep.
"My medical team were concerned that the steroids I took for asthma may have stunted my growth, so I was sent into hospital to monitor my growth hormone. Even for a kid accustomed to hospitals, this sounded scary - it involved blood being drawn every hour. This was my first time meeting Captain Starlight, and the first time I really got to 'play' in hospital. I was allowed to move around, I remember the Nintendo had a Starlight sticker on it! I got to be a kid while going through something scary, and I have no doubt that would have put me at ease" says Jess.
As an adult, Jess can see the joy that the Captain Starlight's bring to sick kids, and the impact they make every single day. "I know that my story is a very lucky one. I would come in for a week or so at a time and eventually get to leave, feeling better. But I remember how scary hospitals could be, especially when you’re little and don’t understand what’s wrong. There are so many brave kids who are facing such unfair battles, and anything that can help them and their families smile is worth being a part of. Getting to be a part of something that helps bring smiles to sick kids is such a worthwhile experience, and spreads joy to their families and friends too. It’s a ripple of good, happy smiles!" - Jess
By signing up to the Super Steps challenge this May, every step you take and every dollar you raise is supporting our Starlight programs which brighten the lives of seriously ill children, like Jess when they need it most.
