Emily Rogers, 6, is in hospital at Starship in Auckland rather than at home for Christmas. This photo of her is among those on display at Auckland Airport. Emily's family moved to Auckland from Gisborne so she could be closer to the hospital.
Emily Rogers, 6, is in hospital at Starship in Auckland rather than at home for Christmas. This photo of her is among those on display at Auckland Airport. Emily's family moved to Auckland from Gisborne so she could be closer to the hospital.
A former Gisborne girl’s family are among the many who will face Christmas with a child being too sick or injured to leave Starship children’s hospital in Auckland.
Emily Rogers, aged 6, was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 – a rare condition that causes severe muscle weaknessand makes breathing very difficult. Even a small infection can become dangerous for her.
Her story is among those being highlighted in a Christmas fundraising campaign being run by the Starship Foundation.
“From empty beach chairs and untouched playground swings to half-finished craft tables and quiet backyards, the campaign highlights the everyday places that feel painfully incomplete without a child,” said a statement from Starship.
“Every donation helps deliver specialist care, essential equipment, and supports the Starship national air ambulance that brings critically ill children to hospital when every minute counts.”
Emily was 3 when she caught a common cold, and it quickly became life-threatening. She needed specialist care fast, so doctors at Gisborne Hospital called the Starship national air ambulance.
Emily and her mother, Marion Rogers, were flown to Starship.
A little over a year later, Emily caught RSV – a common childhood respiratory infection – and took a serious turn for the worse. One of her lungs collapsed.
The air ambulance team were again called to take her to Starship’s paediatric intensive care unit.
“Those two flights saved her life by getting her to Starship in time,” Rogers said. “Without them, Emily wouldn’t be here today.”
With Emily needing frequent medical care at Starship, her family made the difficult decision to relocate from Gisborne to Auckland so they could be closer to Starship’s specialist care.
She will be spending this Christmas at Starship, and while her family would prefer to be at home, they said the kindness of strangers and hospital staff helps bring some magic to her time in hospital.
“Last year she came away feeling very special, with memories of the ward decorations and a visit from Santa,” Rogers said.
“Christmas should be full of joy and togetherness, but for some families, they will be spending Christmas in Starship,” said Starship Foundation chief executive Jo Simon.
“Our campaign is a reminder that behind every empty chair is a child fighting to get well, and that New Zealanders have the power to help.”
For those travelling this festive season, a powerful Starship photo gallery is now on display at Auckland Airport’s domestic and international terminals.
“The images offer an intimate look into the lives of families spending Christmas in hospital, bringing the campaign’s message into one of the country’s busiest holiday touchpoints,” the statement said.
“Airport staff will also be collecting donations on behalf of Starship, giving travellers an easy way to contribute.”
The photo gallery features images of empty chairs representing children who are away from their families at Christmas, including Emily’s.
A photo of Emily Rogers' empty chair is one of several such pictures on display at Auckland Airport. The chairs are a reminder that behind every empty chair is a child fighting to get well.
“Thanks to the generosity and compassion of everyday New Zealanders, the Starship Foundation has generated more than $250 million for Starship, our national children’s hospital, since 1992, helping to ensure all children in Aotearoa New Zealand have access to world-class healthcare.”
