Companion Dolls for children impacted by cancer
ABOUT BRAVERY BUDDIES
Bravery Buddies are a collection of dolls for children who are impacted by medical related hair loss – from cancer treatment or alopecia.
These special dolls send the message “you are not alone”. They are inclusive dolls for both boys and girls of different ethnicities created to offer comfort and bring a glimmer of joy to the lives of children affected by cancer.
The Bravery Buddies have no hair, just like a lot of children who are battling cancer or alopecia. The aim is for the dolls’ physical appearance to help sick kids feel like they’ve got an empathetic friend on their side. To be able to look at their special friend and think, “Hey, you’re just like me.” Children are able to form a bond with their dolls, to share their experiences – to be a friend to them when they need one most.
Over 5000 Bravery Buddies have been distributed across Australia since our founding in 2018 however the sad fact is that our job will never be finished as over 800 children every year are diagnosed with cancer in addition to the many thousands of children who are impacted through the diagnosis of a parent or loved one and of course the children who are diagnosed with alopecia which is very often a life long condition.
Spreading joy on a difficult journey
Bravery Buddies is a not-for-profit organisation with one purpose and one purpose only. Positivity. Our goal is to turn all of those negative feelings that come with cancer diagnosis and turn them on their head! We aim to create and promote joy, to inspire inclusion and companionship and to make children impacted by cancer know that they are not alone. We measure the success of Bravery Buddies in smiles!
Our Mission
GOALS FOR 2022 & BEYOND
We currently have approximately 1200 dolls produced and awaiting sponsorship for donation. Unfortunately, creating our lovely little buddies is not a cheap endeavour, and we rely on the generosity of sponsors to make it all possible and to allow us to keep pruducing these very special little dolls. We are currently at 50% of our total funding goal for 2022 which is absolutely amazing! If you would like to sponsor a buddy and leave your own personal message for an inspirational little cancer warrior please do so here!
Our fundraising mission is an ongoing one, and by the end of 2022 it is our aim to have 4000 dolls distributed and the next round of dolls in production. We would love to see Bravery Buddies in hospitals all over Australia and the world and wherever they are needed to lift the spirits of children impacted by cancer.
What else is in the works for Bravery Buddies?
We have huge plans for the future, including worldwide distrubtion and a Bravery Buddies educational program.