Help Our Kids, run by the Herald and the Starship Foundation, began three weeks ago. All money raised will help to pay for vital equipment for the new operating theatre being built at the Auckland-based national children's hospital and for the four theatres being refurbished.
THE STORY THAT KICKED OFF OUR CAMPAIGN: He needs six tubes to survive, but Samuel Davy still the life of the party
We have featured many stories about some of the children who have had surgery and other treatment at Starship for injuries, illnesses and birth defects, starting with Aucklander Samuel Davy who, aged 5, has spent nearly a third of his life in hospital. His mother, Shirley, said it was "fantastic" that Help Our Kids had surpassed the $150,000 target.
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Carmen Tatana, mother of Indianna who featured on the front of the Weekend Herald two weeks ago, said it was "great, awesome" to have reached the target.
"It's just a cause that is close to our hearts, literally," said Mrs Tatana, whose 2-year-old daughter was born with the left-side of her heart severely under-developed and has had three open-heart operations at Starship. Mrs Tatana, of Wanganui, said raising money to ensure Starship has all the facilities it needs "is a must, because it affects so many families".
Foundation chief executive Brad Clark said there was cheering, high-fives and smiles all round at the foundation when the campaign reached its target yesterday.
"Starship is extremely grateful to so many supporters across the country who were touched by the heartfelt stories shared by Starship patients and their families.
"Many of the people who donated to the campaign told us they just wanted to help and not necessarily due to a personal Starship experience; they were deeply moved by the emotional stories from past and present Starship patients.
"Starship would also like to thank those who responded with their stories and fond recollections of Starship over the years - the outpouring of memories underlines for us the importance of representing our national children's hospital with passion and respect for patients and staff.
Watch: Lucy Lawless: Get behind Help Our Kids
"Thank you, New Zealand."
Herald editor Shayne Currie said the initiative had resonated with thousands of readers, many of whom had been through Starship. "Our readers' generosity is phenomenal - it's a delight to be involved in a campaign that will have positive spin-offs for years to come."
Many donors have expressed their thanks to Starship:
• "Thank you to Starship for all the wonderful work you do for our children."
• "Hope my small contribution will help to build or upgrade more of Starship's operating theatres. Best wishes to our kids."
• "Children are our country's future. Best wishes to all our sick kids to get a happy life in their lifetime with smiles on their faces."
• "What a fantastic cause. Go Starship!"
"Words are not enough to explain my feelings about Starship. A couple of years ago we experienced Starship when our daughter was sick. We were one of the lucky families that could go home with our daughter who was well again and free from her brain tumour. This was due to the amazing expertise of the staff."
Patient inspired to be nurse
A life-saving cancer care at Starship had such a big impact on a 15-year-old Hayley Williams that she has chosen a career in nursing and hopes to work at the national children's hospital.
Now 21, Hayley is more than halfway towards her dream, in year two of the three-year nursing course at AUT University.
Inspired to become a nurse thanks to Starship
It was on Hayley's 15th birthday that she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was a runner competing in national level races when she began suffering back pain.
"I was sent for an MRI scan and they found that I had cancer. I was immediately sent to Starship hospital for a nephrectomy - removal of my whole kidney.
"This was a life-saving and life-changing experience.
"They told me if they had left it a month or two it would have spread through my whole body.
"Over the last five years, Starship has been a big part of my life and my family and I owe everything to everyone that was involved in my care during this time.
"I was given the five-year clearance from cancer last year on my 20th birthday, where I was officially discharged from the hospital and said goodbye to the amazing staff that have been there for me and watched me grow into the person I am today.
"It was a tough few years. I counted 23 MRI scans on my abdomen and brain, 20 CT scans, 15 bone scans and countless injections which Starship provided and supported me through.
"I am truly blessed to have had this kind of medical treatment, which is why Starship funding is so important to ensure other children have another chance at life like I did."
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