The Sydney Swans have been on Redkite’s team for 24 years, supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer through our annual match day.
This Sunday we once again mark Redkite Day at the SCG when the team faces Gold Coast.
As part of the week, 14-year-old Swans fan from Raymond Terrace (just outside of Newcastle), Mackenzie Papworth and her family, alongside Redkite CEO Monique Keighery, were guests at Swans training on Tuesday morning. Mackenzie will also run out onto the SCG with the team on Sunday afternoon.
Mackenzie and her family have faced some incredibly difficult times over the last few years. Not only have they faced a family cancer diagnosis once, but twice.
Mackenzie was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at 12-years old. Two weeks into cancer treatment, doctors diagnosed her with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease that causes white blood cells to attack other blood cells. Her cancer treatment was paused in order to treat HLH first. Mackenzie is continuing to receiving ongoing treatment.
Two-and-a-half years before Mackenzie’s diagnosis, in 2019, the family lost their mum Stacey to cancer. Stacey was only 36 years old.
“Cancer had never really touched me in any way. For the first person to be my wife and the second to be my daughter was devastating," Mackenzie's father Adrian said.
The emotional impact of two cancer diagnoses in a short period of time was tough on Adrian’s four other daughters.
“It was really hard, especially after losing their Mum so close. And I think that's where their heads all went straight to - was that they were going to lose their sister as well.”
The hardest part of Mackenzie’s treatment was the intense radiation routine, part of the conditioning process for her bone marrow transplant when she was 13. Three days straight of twice-a-day full body radiation.
High doses of chemotherapy followed the radiation, to strip Mackenzie’s body of anything that might affect the new bone marrow.
Mackenzie would spend close to 11 months in hospital in Sydney, over two hours away from her sisters, family and friends in the Newcastle region.
The constant trips from Newcastle to Sydney, in addition to the time away from work, took an obvious financial toll on Adrian and his family. Redkite provided fuel and food vouchers to assist with these costs, in addition to providing the family with a Red Bag on the first day of Mackenzie’s diagnosis.
Mackenzie’s family is just one of the hundreds that Redkite help each year and their story shows the importance of Redkite Day as the club aims to raise funds for the incredible work Redkite does.
Redkite CEO Monique Keighery said that having the Papworth family at the SCG was 'a dream' and she was looking forward to having a further 250 Redkite representatives (children and their families) at the game on Sunday.
"It was so special for Mackenzie and her family to come to training today, " Keighery said.
"They are from Newcastle so of course their favourite player is Isaac Heeney, who is one of our Redkite ambassadors.
"There is such excitement for Redkite Day. These kids and their families have been through so much so to be able to have a day at the SCG knowing that ever player is playing for Redkite and those children and families and that they are big supporters, it makes such a difference."
As the Swans celebrate their 150th year in 2024, the Redkite partnership celebrates 24 years of heartfelt memories and donations that have made a difference to the lives of many.
"There aren't many partnerships you can say go for that long and it is genuine and heartfelt," Keighery said.
"Players go and visit the hospital, take part in Redkite music therapy and support our cause and it makes such a difference. We are 100% funded by the generosity of the community so I really encourage Swans supporters to get behind Redkite just like the players have."
Swans members and fans can make a donation via the virtual kite wall HERE.
In other exciting news, The Swannies also returns this year so you can make your bid on portraits drawn by Redkite children and their families. This year as we celebrate 150 years, there are also portraits of Swans greats alongside current players. Please note that portraits will continue to be uploaded into the auction site during the week as our talented artists continue to send in their drawings. Click HERE to make your bid!
Donations to Redkite can also be made on Sunday at the SCG and fans will have the opportunity to take home a Redkite rally towel for donating, please note there is a limited amount of these available on game day.
