The Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Foundation.

This collaboration aligns with our core values of “Youth, Education, and Alleviating Disadvantage.” The RCH is a cornerstone of our community, providing exceptional care to sick and vulnerable children for over 150 years.

The Power of Community Care

Chances are, we all know someone who has benefited from the RCH’s expertise, whether for a brief stay or a more complex medical situation. The hospital’s impact extends far beyond its walls, touching countless lives within our community.

Meet the RCH Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Ryan Brown, recently appointed CEO of the RCH Foundation, brings a wealth of experience to his new role after joining the organisation in 2017. His leadership has been instrumental in securing philanthropic support and fostering strong relationships between the hospital and its donors.

The RCH Foundation’s Impact

• Life-saving Equipment and Technology: Ensuring the RCH has the most advanced tools to provide exceptional care.
• Groundbreaking Research: Supporting innovative research that leads to improved treatments and outcomes.
• Developing Medical Minds: Investing in programs that nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals.
• Patient and Family-Centered Care: Creating a supportive environment that prioritises both the child’s well-being and the emotional needs of their families.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Brown, CEO of the RCH Foundation. We discussed the significant life-saving impact the RCH has on our community, and the diverse range of care offered, from cutting-edge research to programs that provide parents with much-needed respite during their child’s treatment. We also explored the impact of support from the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation and the wider community on their ability to support children and their families.

Kerryn Donchi: Ryan, lovely to meet up with you today. How has the long-term support of the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation enabled the RCH to provide the excellence of care that it is renowned for?

Ryan Brown: Nelson Alexander has been fundraising for the RCH for the past 20 years and through your generous support, you’ve donated in the vicinity of $145,000. Whether it is volunteering or funding a program, whenever we walk through the hospital, we can see firsthand the impact that the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has had on seriously ill children. This impact is visible in various departments such as trauma, oncology and mental health, along with diabetes and neuroscience research. We are very grateful for all the support.

Kerryn Donchi: Ryan, are there any specific examples of where the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation funding has had a major impact on the RCH?

Ryan Brown: Yes, I think Nelson Alexander should be really proud of their legacy of supporting the hospital over the last 20 years and hopefully for the next 20 years. Nelson Alexander has provided annual support via our bed sponsorship program, and in 2025 will be supporting the ChIPS program (Chronic Illness Peer Support), which was set up to support teenagers with chronic illness. One important aspect funded by your philanthropy is allowing teenagers to go away on camps and have that peer support network around them that enhances their quality of life.

Kerryn Donchi: Thanks, Ryan, for your time today. I really appreciate talking to you about the impact the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation has had on the RCH. It’s a great pleasure and a great collaboration.

Ryan Brown: Thank you. We appreciate the ongoing support from the Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation and look forward to our continued collaboration.

The Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation values its partnership with the RCH Foundation. Together with our community, we are committed to ensuring that our children have access to the best possible healthcare, fostering a brighter and healthier future for all.