SAHMRI’s iconic ‘cheesegrater’ building, with its thousands of windows, symbolises hope for many families whose lives are impacted by serious medical conditions.
One of them is the Krauss family, who’ve had to face Alport syndrome, a genetic condition that causes progressive loss of kidney function.
Adelaide teenager William Krauss has been surviving on dialysis for the past six months, a procedure that cleans the blood when the kidneys stop working.
During dialysis and before his 18th birthday in September, William continued studying at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital School. When he turned 18, William transferred to the adult dialysis unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
His mum, Deb Krauss, says it’s thanks to William’s determination and the caring staff at both hospitals that he’s come so far.
“The people who’ve worked to support William have been fantastic, and our family is grateful for the support and encouragement we continue to receive as William continues his ongoing treatment,” Mrs Krauss said.
Against the odds, William completed Year 12 and achieved a perfect score for one of his subjects, even earning a merit award presented at Government House.
William and his family are still waiting for the life-changing news that a kidney transplant donor has been found. His mum, Deb, and dad, Greg, give credit to SAHMRI and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for their role in the continued research and treatment that’s kept William alive and their family together.
“What the researchers and clinicians do is a whole lot more than just a job,” Mrs Krauss said.
“William looks forward to the day he finishes dialysis, having received a transplant and goes to Flinders University, where he has been accepted to study Animal Behaviour.”
“Quality of life is ultimately what we want for our son so he can achieve all his dreams and goals. Medical research is key to making this happen.”
The Schooley and Traeger families have supported their friends, the Krauss family and SAHMRI, by sponsoring a digital Window of Hope for William.
The money they donate supports hundreds of researchers inside SAHMRI who are working to find better ways to reduce human suffering so that everyone can enjoy longer, healthier lives.
Before sponsoring a window for William, the family sponsored windows for eight-year-old Morrissey and seven-year-old Kinsey, who lived through their mother Hayley’s battle with breast cancer.
Morrissey and Kinsey’s aunty, Kylie Schooley, says that her sister-in-law has recovered from cancer thanks to medical research.
“SAHMRI’s windows are such a powerful symbol for families like ours,” Mrs Schooley said.
“William and Hayley’s stories are a testament to the importance of medical research and the incredible impact it has on the community.”
SAHMRI’s Windows of Hope campaign enables you to sponsor a virtual window and dedicate it with a personal tribute or message of hope for a healthier future.
As well as a dedicated virtual window, you will be invited to exclusive Windows of Hope sponsor events inside the Cheesegrater. You’ll hear directly from the people whose research your generosity is supporting. Plus, you’ll receive regular updates about progress at SAHMRI and an official certificate of thank you for your commitment.
More than 700 researchers are working tirelessly at SAHMRI across various areas, including chronic diseases, COVID-19, pregnancy health and cancer. They’re striving daily to find cures and improve quality of life for people of all ages, a mission represented by the building’s 15,000 windows.
For the researchers, the windows constantly remind them why their work matters or who they’re doing it for. The view goes both ways. When the community looks in, they see the exciting progress that SAHMRI researchers are making every day. And they see hope for a happier, healthier future.
The Schooley and Traeger families will proudly continue sponsoring windows for William, Kinsey and Morrissey into the future as a show of support for the research that’s changed their lives for the better.
You can sponsor your own Window of Hope for just $20 a month. All proceeds go directly to funding the life-saving research that touches us all.
For more information click here.
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