Windows of Hope at SAHMRI
SAHMRI’s iconic ‘cheese grater’ building, with its thousands of windows, symbolises hope for many families whose lives are impacted by serious medical conditions. Sponsorship of these windows supports vital medical research.
Deb Krauss with her son William, who say they have benefitted from SAHMRI's research
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.
He has Alport syndrome, a genetic condition that causes progressive loss of kidney function.
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 mother, Deb Krauss, says it is thanks to William’s determination and the caring staff at both hospitals that he has 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, earning a merit award presented at Government House.
William, with his parents Deb and Greg, at Government House
William and his family are still waiting for the life-changing news that a kidney transplant donor has been found.
His mother, Deb, and father, Greg, give credit to SAHMRI and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for their role in the continued research and treatment that has 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 family have been supported by friends, the Schooley and Traeger families who sponsored a digital Window of Hope for William.
The money they donate supports hundreds of researchers inside SAHMRI in their work to deliver better health for everyone.
Before sponsoring a window for William, the Schooley family sponsored windows for eight-year-old Morrissey and seven-year-old Kinsey, who lived through their mother Hayley’s battle with breast cancer.
Their aunt, Kylie Schooley, said 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 the public to sponsor a virtual window and dedicate it with a personal tribute or message of hope for a healthier future.
As well as the dedicated virtual window, sponsors will be invited to exclusive Windows of Hope sponsor events at SAHMRI, hearing directly from the people whose research their generosity supports.
Sponsors will also receive regular updates about progress at SAHMRI and an official certificate of thank you for their commitment.
More than 700 researchers work at SAHMRI across various areas – including chronic diseases, COVID-19, pregnancy health and cancer – to find cures and improve quality of life for people of all ages.
Sponsorship costs just $20 a month, with all proceeds going directly to funding SAHMRI’s life-saving research.
Learn more about SAHMRI’s Windows of Hope
