In 2019, Kristy Giteau’s four-year-old daughter, Ka'ili, was diagnosed with a rare cancer. When Ka’ili and her parents relocated to Sydney for six months for Ka’ili’s treatment, Kristy noticed gaps in services for the carers of children with rare cancers.
In response, Kristy started the non-profit organisation Win the Day.
Initially, the organisation provided meals for carers who were with their children in hospital. Soon, the charity was also helping with accommodation, funeral expenses and emotional support for families who had to travel from rural, regional and remote areas for their child’s treatment. To date, the charity has supported over 135 families.
Win the Day now also offers financial support and advocacy for research organisations trying to find cures for rare childhood cancers and raises community awareness about these illnesses.
Kristy, a former rugby union player for the Wallaroos, runs Win the Day on an entirely voluntary basis. She was announced as 2023 Monaro Woman of the Year.