LIVE LIFE FOUNDATION
Fly For The Kids 2025✈️
One doctor. One plane. One mission to transform children’s health.
Fly For The Kids is a bold, national fundraising campaign from the Live Life Foundation, in partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital, raising $4.5 million to establish Australia’s first dedicated Gene Therapy Ward for children with rare and complex genetic conditions. At the centre of this campaign is Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, a senior pediatric neurologist and experienced pilot, who is flying solo around the entire Australian coastline – over 27,000km to raise awareness and vital funds for this game-changing initiative. On the crisp morning of July 2, supporters gathered at the Blue Demon Aviation Hangar to
witness an unforgettable moment: Andrew’s take-off on his 27,000km solo flight around Australia.
Guests included patients, families, campaign supporters, MPs, donors, media, and Andrew’s trusted dog, Scout. With heartfelt words from MC Jacqui Felgate, and roving interviews byChannel Nine’s Isabella Staskowski, the day marked not just the start of an aviation adventure – but the beginning of something far greater.
Why We’re Flying
Every year, thousands of children across Australia are diagnosed with devastating genetic conditions – many of them life-limiting. These families face the unimaginable: no existing treatment options, no cure, and little hope. But that’s changing.
Gene therapy is one of the most revolutionary advancements in modern medicine – offering the potential to replace defective or missing genes with healthy ones, and in some cases,permanently cure genetic disorders with a single dose.
“Gene therapy is one of the most exciting and urgent medical frontiers of our time – and we must act now to ensure that its life-changing benefits are available to every child in need, no matter where they live or what they can afford.” – Perry Sambor, Founder, Live Life Foundation
Landing: July 25, 2025 (TBC) – Melbourne Return
We’ll welcome Andrew home on or around July 25, with details of a celebratory landing event to be confirmed.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about flying. It’s about hope, science, and community. Andrew’s three-week journey will take him to towns and cities across the nation, stopping along the way to raise awareness, meet families impacted by rare disease, and spread the message of what’s possible when innovation and philanthropy work hand in hand.
He’s flying for children like Jacob and Axel (link to their stories) and the thousands more who urgently need access to next-generation treatment. Currently, there are zero dedicated gene therapy beds in Australia. Of the 330 beds at the Royal Children’s Hospital, none are allocated for gene therapy treatment – meaning children often miss out due to space limitations or timing.
This new, purpose-built Gene Therapy Ward will be the first of its kind in Australia, offering
advanced therapy treatments for children living with conditions previously thought untreatable. Gene therapy represents a breakthrough in modern medicine. But for the children who need it most, access can't come soon enough. The centre will bring hope home and give kids a real chance at longer, healthier lives by providing:
- Multiple dedicated paediatric beds
- Specialist pharmacy facilities for producing advanced therapies.
- 24/7 expert clinical support from trained nursing and medical staff.
- Custom infrastructure to safely deliver complex, high dose therapies.
- Capacity to run clinical trials that bring new therapies to Australia sooner.
“Every single dollar raised will go towards funding the highly specialist infrastructure,
staff, equipment, beds and pharmacy required to make this ward a reality for sick
children across Australia.” – Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg
Who This Will Help
Gene therapy is already changing lives at RCH – children like Axel and Jacob, both diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), have had their lives transformed thanks to early access to gene therapy treatment.
“If Jacob hadn’t had the treatment, he would no longer be with us… Now we’re aiming for him to walk- something we never thought possible.” – Brooke, Jacob’s mum
Without early intervention, SMA is the #1 genetic cause of death in babies under two. This ward will ensure more children survive – and thrive.
Return to Melbourne!
We look forward to welcoming Andrew home on or around July 25th, with details to be confirmed. It promises to be a powerful reunion marking the culmination of a monumental effort to elevate awareness and funding for children’s health.
How You Can Help
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help create something that will save lives for decades to come. Every kilometre flown, every dollar raised, every story shared – it all adds up to something life-changing.
- Donate Today
- Become a Sponsor
- Media Inquiries – 0432 026 788
“Fly For The Kids is more than a fundraising campaign – it’s a national mission to ensure every child in Australia can access the medical treatment they need to live a full life.” -Perry Sambor
Join us.
Fly with us. Fund the future. Change a life.
Contact us: sally@livelifefoundation.com.au
Phone: 0432 026 788