THANKS to the generosity of Carnival Cruise Line’s guests through the Wiggle for Westmead program, the company has donated $63,000 towards a number of services at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, including both Music Therapy and the Anaesthetics Virtual Reality Project.
To mark the donation, Carnival Cruise Line Australia vice president, Jennifer Vandekreeke, and Carnival Playlist Production performers, joined medical director of the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, Professor Nadia Badawi in a special performance for patients.
Carnival’s Wiggle for Westmead program enables guests to participate in a dance on board to raise funds and awareness for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Continuing into its third year, over 10,000 Carnival guests have participated in Wiggle for Westmead, raising more than $227,800 which has been allocated to a range of hospital projects since the partnership began.
The latest funding donated by Carnival will contribute towards 12 months of Music Therapy for the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care and the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The benefits of this therapy have been proven to comfort and relax infants with complex medical conditions who are in physiological and psychological distress.
“Not only can Music Therapy calm patients in a stressful environment, it can also help families connect with their children through voice when it is sometimes difficult to even touch them,” Professor Nadia Badawi said.
“The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is very near and dear to our hearts. We are thrilled that we are able to support the hard working doctors and nurses as they care for their courageous young patients,” Jennifer Vandekreeke said.
The shipping industry also supports Westmead Children’s Hospital through its annual charity golf day. In 2018, the event raised $31,000 for the hospital’s Cancer Research Fund and over the past 27 years has raised a total of $665,000.
