UPDATE: In a groundbreaking initiative, children at Gosford Hospital are among the first in Australia to receive the newly launched ballerina Supertee. This innovative garment, designed to resemble a costume, aims to provide joy and comfort to young patients undergoing treatment.
The ballerina Supertee, created by Jason Sotiris after his daughter’s battle with a rare cancer in 2018, is the first dance-inspired design from the charity. Since its inception, the Supertee initiative has donated over 25,000 garments to children across Australia, transforming hospital experiences into moments of joy.
“This ballerina edition responds to requests from families looking for alternatives to superhero themes,” Sotiris stated. “With every Supertee, there’s a story to tell, inviting children into a world of imagination and dance.” The garment is designed to bypass medical lines and tubes, making it both a costume and a functional medical garment.
Each ballerina Supertee comes with a tutu, a handwritten card from their ‘biggest fan,’ and an invitation to dance. “This is more than a costume; it’s a moment of joy during a very hard time,” Sotiris emphasized. “We hope kids will not only wear their ballerina Supertee but also dance in it within their hospital rooms.”
Parents will find a QR code within each pack, linking to a personal message from Jade Wood, a Supertee ambassador and former senior artist with The Australian Ballet. She invites children to engage in a specially crafted dance experience. “I am inviting families to be part of the moment where a hospital bed becomes a stage, and a child’s imagination takes over,” Wood said. “Movement can uplift and inspire, and I’m proud to support this project that gives children a reason to smile.”
The rollout of the ballerina Supertees has been made possible through a partnership with Rise & Shine Education, which is helping to fund and distribute the first wave of these magical garments. Individuals and businesses interested in supporting this initiative can visit www.supertee.org.au for more information.
This launch not only highlights the importance of creativity in healing but also showcases a community coming together to uplift children during their toughest battles. As the ballerina Supertees spread joy, families can look forward to new moments of happiness amidst the challenges of medical care.
