16-year-old Hunter girl becomes shining light with creation of ‘Cupcakes for Kids with Cancer’.
Diagnosed in 2016 at the age of 12, Jacinta Gomez was classed as a high risk cancer patient but despite this continued to help others with the creation of ‘Cupcakes for kids with cancer’.
Pride of Australia
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In the face of adversity, Jacinta Gomez became a shining light, raising funds to support all Hunter families faced with a child’s cancer diagnosis, all the while battling Leukaemia herself.
Diagnosed in 2016 at the age of 12, Jacinta was classed as a high risk cancer patient and endured two and a half years of intense chemotherapy treatment.
Despite this traumatic time in her life, Jacinta wanted to help others, like her, going through the disease, which then saw the creation of ‘Cupcakes for Kids with Cancer’.
The goal was to hold cupcake stalls at schools, sporting clubs and scout groups, all the while visiting schools to promote the fundraiser. That year she raised over $16 thousand.
In 2017, as Jacinta’s treatment continued, she continued her plight to raise more money.
Physically capable of doing more, she contacted NRL star and former Newcastle Knight Trent Hodkinson to request his attendance at her school’s fundraising event, which he happily accepted.
She also attended more schools and spoke of her experience and explained the renovations taking place at the John Hunter Children’s hospital in the isolation wards, that the fundraising was supporting. That year she raised $11 thousand.
“I went to schools and spoke to them about what I was going through and what I was fundraising for,” Jacinta said.
“At the beginning it was hard talking about what had happened but after a while it got easier.”
In 2018, Jacinta took complete control of fundraising efforts and completed her chemo treatment.
She wrote letters to encourage new schools to get on board and spoke at Scout leaders’ meetings to encourage more groups to become involved.
To supplement the sale of cakes and to cater for those with dietary needs, she designed silicon wristbands to be sold in conjunction with the cakes, that year raising more than $15,000.
Mum Kirsten acknowledged her daughter’s bravery and determination to help others.
“Different things spark emotions so when she spoke at Edgeworth this year, we thought it would be sweet because she was a year on from treatment and everything was good, but going back being in the crowd and listening to everything she had been through, was almost confrontational,” she said.
“She came off the stage and we both lost it because it brought back all those emotions.”
No rest in 2019, saw the inception of another new idea, when Jacinta assisted in the making of over 100 scrunchies alongside all her other fundraising events and promotions. So far this year, she has raised $9,993.
After seeing her daughter excel in such tough times, mum Kirsten nominated Jacinta for a Pride of Australia award.
“You don’t do it for the recognition, but it is mind blowing and I’m very proud of her and she’s very brave to stand up and talk,” Ms Gomez said.
“The fundraiser was amazing to help her get through it, putting her energy into something positive.
“It took our mind off some of the harder things she was going through, it was a distraction.”
Jacinta was blown away when she found out. “I was pretty excited. I think at first I was in shock of being nominated but now I’m really excited to see what happens.”
Funds raised by Jacinta have contributed towards the upgrade of the isolation rooms and paediatric oncology ward at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
Parents now have a bed to sleep in, there are wardrobes to unpack their belongings, and gaming devices and DVDs have been added to all rooms.
Funds have also been used in making the teenager retreat more user friendly for the older patients, allowing teenagers to escape their isolation room and be in their own space for a short period of time.
To nominate your unsung hero, visit prideofaustralia.com.au