By Esther Lauaki
A giant piggy bank, stretching three metres tall and weighing 700 kilograms, will roll into Bacchus Marsh on its way around Victoria to raise $1 million for children with life-threatening conditions.
The annual Very Special Kids Piggy Bank Appeal event hits town on Thursday, March 14.
Bacchus Marsh three-year-old Breana was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome only a couple of days after she was born.
While the symptoms can be variable, they often include congenital heart problems, specific facial features, frequent infections, developmental delay, learning problems and cleft palate. In just the first two weeks of her life Breana had open heart surgery.
Mum Nicole Zois said she was aware early in her pregnancy of her daughter’s heart defects but the other issues came as a complete shock.
Breana is unable to eat, walk, talk or hear properly, her immune system does not work and she has severe breathing problems.
Ms Zois turned to Very Special Kids in 2016 for free-of-charge family support services and respite at Victoria’s only children’s hospice in Malvern.
“Breanna loves the hospice, when we walk through the door she is all smiles and can’t wait to interact with people,” she said. “She feels at home, which is very important for us.”
Very Special Kids supports more than 900 people across Victoria, who are caring for children with life-threatening conditions.
The appeal event at Bacchus Marsh Commonwealth Bank starts at 10.30am until 2.30pm.
