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Photo: Cameron Grayson Styling: Eliot Garnaut Halr/make-up: Chantelle Baker - IN THIS ISSUE ; Rozalia Russian on business, fashion and beauty 12 HING When eating and exercise habits can turn harmful 2 1 Organ donation can save lives Ui, 5S month s Raffi Verrocchi endured A chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia, there were two things that helped get him through — the love and support of his famity and some of his favourite foods. Raffi, now 5, was only 2 when his family took him for a blood test at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and were given the devastating news a few hours later that he had leukaemia “I took him in fora blood test. and that afternoon we were back and we didn't leave for two months” his mum, Nicole Verrocchi, says. Since then, the family has spent a lot of time at the RCH as Raffi has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past two years, “The support and care that is given to you the moment you're child is admitted is just incredible” Nicole says. “They are so on top of it — all the doctors and nurses — and they just made sure it was a fun, safe place for Raffi” Nicole and husband Matt are now showing their support for the RCH Good Friday Appeal after witnessing how the hospital cares for children and families. "You're there for your son but you're also on a confronting journey with other families’ she says. “We want to give back to ensure all families and kids are provided with the best care and best chance of rehabilitation — no matter the prognosis To raise funds for the RCH Good Friday Appeal this year, Nicole created a special range of children’s socks for her Bambi Mini babywear range, which is stocked exclusively in Chemist Warehouse. Raffi was involved in creating the sock range, with illustrator and artist Brook Gossen taking inspiration for the designs from some of Raff's favourite things, TUNE INTO WELLNESS TV Australian health and lifestyle program The House of Wellness, brought to you by Chemist Warehouse and hosted by Luke Darcy, Jo Stanley, Dr Nick Carr and Jacqui Felgate, is on the Seven Network on Fridays and Sundays. "We sat down and we thought about the treatment over the past few years and everything that had played a part in his life, and food was such a big part of the treatment” Nicole says. “They go through a stage where they're ‘on steroids for two months straight and they just eat so much food, and it was important to also keep up healthy high- fat foods, so that is where the avocado design came in? The other design Raffi chose was a heart. “The heart represents our friends and family who supported us and Raff and loved him the most So it's a big hugging heart Nicole says. The Bambi Mini organic cotton socks ‘come in two sizes: junior for children aged 2-4 years; and youth for those aged 5-8 years. All proceeds from the sale of the socks will be donated to the RCH Good Friday Appeal. “We've benefited firsthand from the funds that go towards the amazing research: Nicole says. Photo: Tammy Lee Baird from Minimo Peeps Photography Raffi (right) helped design the Bambi Mini socks. Raff's chemotherapy treatment was changed in the middle of last year from once a month to once every three months after the hospital received fresh research from the US. "He was having to do this particular chemo once a month, and they had new research to say that it was safe for him to have (it) every three months. And that. for us as a family. was just huge. especially for Raffi’ Nicole says. “It. gave us three months of respite and he was able to enjoy life as a four-year- old and go to kinder and parties and have fun. Those little bits of hope that come your way really get you through” By sharing their story, Nicole hopes other families spending time in hospital will feel less alone. “When you'te init. itis very hard to step away from the fear and anxiety and the unknown of what the future holds” she says. “So having those good news stories to lean on. in some of your hardest moments, can help propel you forward. We want Raff's story to be that beacon of hope for other kids — because he is going to be OK” ‘The Bambi Mini RCH Good Friday Appeal socks are available at all torian Chemist Warehouse stores and online for $4.99. FIND OUT HOW THE BAMBIMINI ‘STORY UNFOLDED DS
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