Give the gift of warmth and hope this Christmas
Help make this holiday season a bright one for the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (AYAM) unit
As the holiday season draws near, we’re reminded of the power of compassion and community—qualities that can bring light to those facing life’s toughest challenges.
This year, we’re reaching out to you to help make Christmas brighter for the resilient young people receiving care at the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (AYAM) facility at Westmead Hospital.
1 in 5
young people aged 11–17 have reported either high or very high levels of psychological distress on average, in the span of one year
1 in 3
of Australian adolescents engage in disordered eating behaviours within any given year, approximately.
20% of people
with a serious eating disorder will die from complications of the condition if not treated. With treatment, that rate falls to just 2-3%.
Help us give hope to our young patients spending the holidays away from home
Let me share a bit about Emily and Caitlyn, two young women who have shown incredible courage during their time at AYAM. Emily, a senior high school student who recently finished her vocational course for Assistant in Nursing (AIN), spends her days balancing her recovery with her passion for healthcare. Caitlyn, who finds comfort in her art, uses colouring books to bring joy into her days.
Both girls have expressed how challenging it is to feel at home in a hospital setting, especially during the festive season, and how much they yearn for a space that brings them warmth and comfort.
The dedicated nursing team at AYAM understands this need deeply. In the words of Clinical Nurse Educator Felcy, "We are like a home away from home."
The nurses here take on the roles of caregivers, confidants, and even surrogate parents, doing everything they can to help these young adults feel at ease. Long-term patients often decorate their beds with art they’ve created, or bring in personal items like their own bedsheets, fairy lights, and cherished stuffed toys to make the sterile hospital setting feel more like home.
However, there are still limitations to what AYAM can offer. The recreational room, which is meant to be a place of solace, currently holds only a few board games and books, and its single radio has long been broken. Nurses try to make mealtime as enjoyable as possible by playing music or showing videos on their phones, aiming to keep the focus away from the food—a difficult task when young patients are often there for critical reasons, following referrals for symptoms like abnormal or slow heart rates.
This Christmas, with your support, we can create a more comforting and inspiring space for young patients like Emily and Caitlyn.
Our vision is to transform AYAM into a truly welcoming environment, one that allows these young adults to feel less like patients and more like the vibrant individuals they are. From enhancing the rooms with cozy furnishings to creating an inviting recreational space with updated resources, every addition can foster healing and hope.
Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of our community of hope. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season.
With gratitude,
Bianca Crvelin
General Manager
Westmead Hospital Foundation
Your support will go directly toward creating a space where young patients can feel at home, even in the hospital.
Every gift makes a difference—let’s bring comfort and care to AYAM this Christmas.
The Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine facility
The AYAM unit is dedicated to adolescents and young adults managing complex health battles, with a focus on those facing eating disorders. Many of these brave individuals spend long stretches in the hospital, away from the comforts of home and the warmth of family and friends. Though the team provides exceptional medical care, the environment can feel isolating and unfamiliar, especially over the holidays. For these young patients, a hospital ward isn’t just a temporary place; it’s often their second home.
Your donation, no matter the size, will have a profound impact on the lives of these young people. By supporting our Christmas appeal, you’ll be helping us turn AYAM into a space where Emily, Caitlyn, and others can find a sense of belonging and comfort during their recovery.
This season, let’s give the gift of warmth, joy, and hope. Together, we can make AYAM a place where young adults receive not only medical care but also the emotional support and love they deserve.
Will you join us in making this holiday season brighter for young people like Emily and Caitlyn?
Westmead Hospital Foundation is a registered charity. All donations made over $2 are tax-deductible within Australia.
Receipts are issued for all online donations.
