St Kilda Football Club is excited to today come together with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision to launch the 2018 Maddie’s Match campaign.
For the third time, the Saints will take on the Tigers in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes (BMAFS) research.
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Representatives from Maddie’s Vision and St Kilda were accompanied by Health Minister Jill Hennessy at today’s launch, who announced a government commitment to match donations made to Maddie’s Vision dollar-for-dollar up to $300,000 – the cost of a 4-year international travelling fellowship.
“Maddie’s Vision gives hope to families across Victoria and Australia that one day we will find a cure for this awful disease,” Min. Hennessy said.
“We’re proud to be supporting them in this international collaboration.”
WATCH: Making Maddie proud
St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis echoed Min. Hennessy.
“Being part of the growth of Maddie’s Vision for the past few years has been a privilege, and we look forward to supporting them again this year through Maddie’s Match,” Finnis said.
“We’ve all seen firsthand how Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes can impact a family and we’ll certainly be encouraging the football family to show up in force and donate where they can.”
One example of a family affected by BMAFS is the Vanderland family from Traralgon. Five-year-old Elliot is battling dyskeratosis
Since accompanying Maddie’s Vision Chair Nick Riewoldt through the banner at last year’s Maddie’s Match, Elliot has only spent fourteen days at home, with the majority of his time spent at the Royal Children’s Hospital due to the life-threatening and uncertain nature of the diseases.
Nick Riewoldt embraces team mascot Elliot Vanderland after last year's win over the Tigers
Uncertainty also plagues the future of the Vanderland family, with Elliot’s brother Ashton also presenting the same genetic condition.
“Elliot is still going through so much every day. He is a hero in every sense of the word,” Riewoldt said.
“The ongoing uncertainty for Elliot, his parents Ian and Elissa and brother Ashton is devastating.
“We urge everyone to get behind his family, other sufferers and their families and attend this game as a sign of support in a very fragile road for families facing this disease.”
St Kilda Maddie’s Vision ambassador Josh Bruce said the whole playing group was right behind the cause.
“I’ve seen the incredible work Maddie’s Vision has done in the area of Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes research over the past few years and am really keen to do my part in raising awareness and funds,” Bruce said.
“On behalf of the whole playing group, I really encourage people to buy their Maddie’s Membership and special edition purple Saints merchandise to join with us in turning Etihad Stadium into a sea of purple on 20 July.
“Help us to empower others to #FightLikeMaddie.”
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To donate or learn more about Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision visit www.mrv.org.au.
