General News
13 November, 2024
Lily volunteers to help fundraise for sick children after kidney removal
Twelve-year-old Lily will roll up her sleeves on McHappy Day
Twelve-year-old Lily Nitschke will roll up her sleeves on McHappy Day to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House because she knows how important it is to help families when they have a sick child.
Lily was born with two kidneys but only one was healthy. Her other kidney was not fully formed and was not functioning.
When Lily was almost eight, she had her failed kidney removed at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Since then, she's had regular checks and scans and will return to Melbourne next Tuesday, November 19, for a routine scan.
"We were offered an overnight stay at Ronald McDonald House but decided not to use it as others need it more," her father Jamie, said.
"We are just going to the hospital for a scan and will probably drive back the same day."
"Other families have sick children nd need to stay overnight or longer," he said.
Lily has to maintain regular water intake to keep her kidney flushing her system thoroughly.
"She has been hospitalised several times since the surgery. Her temperature can get too high if her water intake isn't kept up," he said.
The fridge at home is always fully stocked with spring water to make sure she has enough on hand at all times.
Now the year six Murtoa College student is older, she can monitor her fluid intake herself.
She keeps fit by walking and playing hide and seek at Scouts.
Lily hopes to be a Kindergarten Teacher when she leaves school.
Lily will volunteer at Horsham McDonalds on McHappy Day Saturday, November 16 from 10 am to 12pm to help raise funds for other sick children who need to stay in Melbourne for surgery or treatment.