Mighty Maddy still changing lives, gets nod from Minster for Women

Maddy Suy, the little girl who lost her battle with DIPG last year, received dozens of nominations for a NSW Woman of the Year Award.

Little Maddy Suy lived with a monster in her head that slowly destroyed her body, but that didn’t stop her dishing out presents to children in the sick ward, even though she was sicker than many.

She wrote songs that inspired strangers across Sydney to form their own choir in her honour and she drew pictures that prompted a group of supermarket workers in country NSW to sign up for matching tattoos.

And now, 10 months after she lost her fierce battle against her brain stem tumour, she is still touching the lives of so many.

This week Minister for Women Jodie Harrison honoured the memory and incredible contribution of the Sydney schoolgirl who became the face of the Sunday Telegraph’s campaign lobbying the federal government for funding for DIPG research.

Maddy received dozens of nominations for the Ones to Watch category (seven to 15-year-olds) in the NSW Women of the Year Awards.

Mighty Maddy Suy with her dad Alan, is still changing lives.

“Maddy was an incredible young girl. Her loss is an inconceivable pain and all of New South Wales continues to stand with Maddy’s loved ones as they face this ongoing grief,” Ms Harrison said.

“Even while she was battling a terminal illness, Maddy’s strength and kindness shone through, touching the lives of many other families who were also fighting this cancer. Her bravery raised awareness of a rare brain cancer and brings hope to others with this as-yet incurable disease.

Maddy’s parents Alan and Truc Suy with Jodie Harrison this week. Picture: Supplied

“She touched many lives and we wanted to honour her legacy during this year’s NSW Women of the Year Awards.

“We have never seen so many nominations for one person for an award – that they should be for Maddy is fitting.

Ms Harrison said while she couldn’t hand Maddy an award, she still deserved to be honoured, playing a video in her honour and “in recognition of her family’s continued efforts to find a cure and support others”.

Mr Suy told The Sunday Telegraph his family was honoured on Maddy’s behalf.

“Maddy has taught us that we should not let a disease or illness define us or make us doubt what you can do in your life to help others,” he said.

“Maddy advocated for those who could not, and left a legacy of love and hope.”

Her family continues this mission to inspire others through Maddy and Co.

To contribute go to www.maddyandco.org

Originally published as Mighty Maddy still changing lives, gets nod from Minster for Women