Support Kids in Pain (SKIP) is pleased to announce the extension of its successful clinic and allied health services to regional Queensland in 2017, thanks to the Women and Change Giving Circle.

The Brisbane-based not-for-profit charity providing support and education for children living with persistent pain is the proud recipient of a $50,000 grant gifted by the 2016 Women and Change Giving Circle – a group of 50 Brisbane based women helping people in need and supporting organisations delivering social change.

SKIP Founder and Paediatric Pain Specialist Dr Kathleen Cooke said the funding enables SKIP to take its successful multidisciplinary clinic with specialised allied health, physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy to regional centres throughout Queensland.

“Currently, patients as far north as Bundaberg, west as Oakey and South as Murwillumbah travel to Brisbane for treatment. Travel and time away from work and home can add unnecessary stress to children and their families already living with the physical, emotional and financial impacts of chronic pain,” Dr Cooke said.

“The funding from Women and Change enables SKIP to educate regional GPs and allied health practitioners so they can manage children suffering pain in their community more confidently. We’ll also be able to provide ongoing support to these regions via video links.

“It’s a win for SKIP but most importantly, it’s a win for regional communities in Queensland.”

Each year in Queensland, approximately 150,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with chronic pain, most commonly post-cancer survival, post-surgical, musculoskeletal, severe headaches and recurrent abdominal pain.

While less obvious than acute pain associated with physical injuries, persistent pain reduces quality of life and is equally debilitating, incessant and too often – suffered in silence. If left untreated, it places a physical and psychological strain on those directly affected as well as a financial strain on increasingly stretched support networks – the allied health and social welfare community.

“The Women and Change’s $50,000 grant will help to promote awareness of this under-recognised and debilitating condition, and hopefully encourage and inspire further support from donors and potentially the government,” Dr Cooke said.

“On behalf of the many children set to benefit from this funding, I’d like to thank the 50 women who see the positive difference SKIP is making to Queensland children suffering chronic pain.”