AU – Sienna Cordell’s quest to walk

Sienna Cordell is an amazing little 5 year old girl, a triplet to Harrison and Grace, who was born with some disadvantages in life. She has severe cerebral palsy and hopes to have life changing surgery at St Louis Children’s Hospital in the US in October. The medical team led by Paediatric Neurosurgeon Dr TS Park, performs radical spinal surgery to sever the nerves in the lower back that are causing the stiffness in her legs, releasing the tension and giving her the chance to walk. It will cost the family of seven from Bacchus Marsh, country Victoria, $100,000.

The Cordell’s are still over $25,000 short of the funds required, which is jeopardising the chances for the operation. Sienna and her family’s plight came to the attention of the RRT team in neighbouring Melton, whose team of volunteers willingly agreed that this was a worthy cause to show compassion to. They decided to get together and host a fundraising barbecue at the busy Bacchus Marsh Leisure Centre, where parents bring their children to play competition basketball on a Saturday.

The RRT trailer and marquee were procured by the 20 willing helpers who set about to make it happen. They discovered a lot of sympathy for Sienna in the local community, and many shops kindly donated food and drinks including Darley Bakehouse, Jeff Jones Grocer, Bacchus Marsh Coles, Westside Meats, Woolworths Woodgrove, Freddy’s Fruit and Vegetables and Bulla Mushrooms.

Parents Brad and Briohny brought along Sienna and her siblings twice during the day to the event. She succeeded in winning the hearts of the fundraisers, and her big smile was a nice reward for all. Many of the basketballers knew her, and were only too pleased to get some hard earned nourishment, while contributing to the little girl’s campaign to walk. Other locals came along especially to show their support.

$3532 was raised, and RRT added another $1000, providing a total of $4532 for Sienna. The Cordell parents were extremely grateful, and touched by the way a group of people they have never met before were prepared to give up a whole Saturday helping to give their little girl a better chance in life.

(See this link for more details of the procedure: )