Sick children find happiness with special friends
Inspired by her own experience of living with a rare congenital heart disease since birth, Tania Mastroianni is giving children in hospital hope and comfort through Special Bear Friends.
Tania is the founder of Business with a Heart, which was born from her own experiences of growing up in hospitals.
As a baby in utero, Tania was given a two per cent chance of surviving after birth. “Within the first six months of life I went through what most people go through in their whole life. I had three heart surgeries, a stroke where I was paralysed on the left side of my body, and I was given a permanent pacemaker.
“I was also gifted a teddy bear that I still have with me. Throughout my life I have continuously defied the odds and have had a total of eight heart surgeries. The constant symbol of hope and comfort, especially as a child, was my teddy bear.
“I started Business with a Heart during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring that same joy, happiness and sense of comfort to children with incurable diseases who spend time in hospital.
“A child can relate to a teddy bear, and it is their constant companion throughout their treatment. It also connects these vulnerable families and children with the outside world, knowing that someone is thinking of them and supporting their journey,” she explains.
Last July, Business with a Heart launched the Special Bear Friends program at Royal North Shore Hospital. Sick children were given bear packs, which included everything they needed to make their own bear friend. “It was an emotional visit and one that was very rewarding. The children in the hospital loved seeing ‘Spider Bear’ and spending time playing in the playroom,” Tania says.
The launch was supported by both the North Sydney and Mosman business chambers.
Yvonne Collier, president of the North Sydney Business Chamber, explained that Special Bear Friends is one of their 113 members. “We promoted her cause through social media to our connections to give exposure to her worthy cause, increase the visibility of the work and give our members the opportunity to sponsor her ‘teddy bears,’” Yvonne explains. “It is heartwarming.”
Tamara Keniry, president of Mosman Chamber of Commerce, added: “The program connects the business and broader community with local families of vulnerable children and provides a mechanism by which they can help and show their support.”
To help get bear packs ready, or become a sponsor, visit businesswithaheart.com
To join a business chamber, visit northsydneychamber.com.au or mosmanchamber.com.au