Editorial: Dig deep to support Telethon, we are incredible together

There would be few West Australians untouched, directly or indirectly, by Telethon.

While the impact is felt most significantly by the children it helps, there are families, friends and carers who all rely on the medical research, programs and services Telethon funds to provide care to the most important people in their lives.

Since 1968, Telethon has been giving these children, their families and friends a reason to smile and is now entrenched in the State’s social and corporate fabric.

Year after year, the community puts in an incredible effort to make sure some of WA’s most in-need children are supported via cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art equipment and critical services.

Telethon’s effort is world-renowned, and it’s the most successful fundraising event of its kind globally.

As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says, Telethon has reflected “the very best of the west” for nearly six decades.

It has also reflected “that famous West Australian determination: the willingness to get involved, dig deep and make a positive difference to the lives of children and families most in need of support”, the Prime Minister told the gala Telethon ball last night.

“It’s always an honour to meet with people who Telethon supports.

“And it’s an honour to support Telethon.”

In 2023, the impact was enormous. Telethon-funded grants had directly affected 227,806 children in 201 distinct locations across WA.

And that impact doesn’t stop at the end of each calendar year.

As The Sunday Times details today, a huge donation in 2020 helped push along crucial research into undiagnosed diseases — helping Charlotte Patterson and her family learn about a unique genetic variant responsible for the 10-year-old’s condition.

Charlotte has required 64 surgeries and relied on 16 daily medications, but research uncovering her diagnosis means she can now receive a treatment plan.

“This gives us a bit of a hope for the Charlottes of the future … knowing that another little baby that’s born down the track isn’t going to have the kind of huge question mark and the confusion and fear we had to deal with,” her mother, Laura West, said.

“This find has given us a community that we can compare notes with and get an idea as to what the future might look like and give us a bit of a roadmap.”

Charlotte’s case is just one of tens of thousands from over the years. Future fundraising offers up endless possibilities, and the impact that has on those whose lives are touched by it are hard to comprehend.

So let’s go, WA. Like never before, let’s get behind the event that makes our State and beat last year’s astonishing $77.5 million total.

The efforts, as we all know, will be greatly appreciated.

As Telethon itself states this year, we are incredible together.

Donate: 1300 737 507