From hospital rooms
to whole new worlds.

From hospital rooms to whole new worlds.

You can help transport 15 -25 year olds undergoing cancer therapy… from a world of distress to a world of calm.

All funds raised through this appeal will give adolescents and young adults at Monash Health access to the same proven pain and anxiety management tools used in paediatric care.

Funds will go toward purchasing, implementing, and maintaining the following tools across Monash Children’s Hospital, Monash Medical Centre, and Moorabbin Hospital.

  • Smileyscopes: non-invasive virtual reality (VR) headsets featuring age-appropriate content for 15–25 year olds. They help ease procedural distress and provide psychological comfort during treatments and appointments.
  • Buzzy Bees: vibrating devices placed near the procedure site to block pain signals and reduce discomfort. Used alongside virtual reality, they enhance pain relief through gentle nerve stimulation.

Why we’re raising essential funds to create a less overwhelming healthcare experience for adolescents and young adults undergoing cancer therapy.

Around 130 adolescents and young adults with cancer are cared for annually at Monash Health. They often fall between paediatric and adult care, making their complex needs more challenging to meet.

One of their biggest challenges? Managing fear and discomfort during medical procedures.

Tegan Leigh, Clinical Nurse Consultant (Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer & Haematology, Wellness and Survivorship) says, “Adolescents and young adults with cancer are often expected to cope like adults with painful, daunting procedures. I often witness them trying their best to be brave and push though these procedures…the same procedures that young children have under anaesthetic. Pairing virtual reality with Buzzy Bees, again, a main stay in paediatric care, will go a long way in helping to ease the burden of painful, often lengthy and overwhelming procedures for this age group.”

Appeal Goal = $50,000

Tools to Help Transform Patient CareCost Per UnitNumber of Units NeededTotal Cost
Smileyscopes$6,4997$45,493
Buzzy Bees$1605$800

Tools to help transform patient care

Smileyscopes

  • Cost per unit: $6,499
  • Number of units needed: 7
  • Total cost: $45,493

Buzzy Bees

  • Cost per unit: $160
  • Number of units needed: 5
  • Total cost: $800

The remaining funds will support a 6-month study to evaluate the impact of these tools, with findings to be presented at the Adolescent and Young Adult Global Congress in 2026—helping improve care for even more young patients.

Your important role

You can help transport our 15 – 25 year olds undergoing cancer therapy… from a world of distress to a world of calm.

Each gift, large or small, will make a real difference.

Monash Health Foundation

Visit the Monash Health Foundation website

Email: foundation@monashhealth.org
Phone: (03) 9594 2700

Visit the Monash Health Foundation
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road
Clayton VIC 3168

Mailing Address
Locked bag 29, Clayton South VIC 3169

Donations of $2 or more to Monash Health are tax-deductible.
All transactions are in Australian dollars.
ABN 82 142 080 338