The deeply moving, yet profoundly heartbreaking words of Perth mother Pamela Campbell at Saturday’s Telethon breakfast event brought a full room to tears and has set the unforgettable tone for Telethon 2026.
Ms Campbell stood before hundreds of Telethon guests to share the story of her bright, cheeky, and brave little boy, Callum — who is “forever five”.
Diagnosed with a rare strain of acute myeloid leukaemia in 2019 at just two years old, Callum endured 350 nights in hospital — mostly in isolation — countless procedures, blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant.
After two and a half years of holding onto hope through periods of remission and the agony of two relapses, Callum’s body could fight no longer. He died in June 2021.
Ms Campbell spoke candidly about the suffocating silence that followed packing up Callum’s room at Perth Children’s Hospital and walking away — not only grieving her son, but also grieving the loss of the incredible medical team and support network who had become like family.
A poem she penned during late-night thoughts captured the raw reality of grief and hospital life. Reading it on Saturday moves attendees to tears.
“If I’m sad, be gentle. If I’m happy, laugh with me. If I’m scared, help show me the way... to you, this might be another shift, another family, another room filled with beeping machines. For me, this is my whole world,” she said.
“When my child is gone, please don’t forget their name. Say it, remember it, honour it. Remember them. Your care doesn’t end with their last breath. It carries on in me... meet me where I’m at.”
Ms Campbell explained how sharing Callum’s story helps her to keep his memory alive while also giving a voice to a wider community of bereaved families whose experiences are often less seen, but no less significant.
Memories are all they have now, she shared, emphasising that every parent wants their beautiful child remembered and their families supported through the ongoing heartache.
In an emotional and lighthearted highlight, Pamela revealed a surprising lifeline during their toughest nights on the ward was watching Home and Away every night at 7pm.
Episodes of the Channel 7 soap opera became their daily signpost of making it through another day, as well as an escape and a way to reset.
Her revelation prompted a rush of warm hugs on stage from the Home and Away cast members in attendance, Kyle Shilling, Hailey Pinto and Rocco Forrester-Sach, amid jokes that “at least she has good taste.”
Shortly after, Ms Campbell was surprised by the Seven Network with news she and her family will be flown to Sydney to visit the set of Home and Away and meet the cast.
With tears wiped away, it was all systems go as host Ryan Daniels reignited the trademark Telethon energy, urging everyone in the room to focus on making memories for WA’s sickest children and their families.
He reminded attendees that while raising money is vital, the true purpose of the weekend is supporting the kids and families who need it most.
The room erupted with joy and laughter throughout the morning as the entertainment kicked into high gear.
The combined choirs of Aquinas College and St Peter’s Primary School delivered a rousing rendition of Best Day of My Life, setting an exuberant mood across the entire room.
Telethon legend Joanna Griggs celebrated her 53rd birthday on stage, the Better Homes and Gardens host declaring to the cheering crowd that she “couldn’t think of a better way” to spend the day.
In classic Telethon fashion, spontaneous entertainment quickly took over when Channel 7 favourite Rob Palmer stepped up to face the dreaded “Spell or Splat” challenge.
After correctly spelling his first two words, he stumbled on “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, earning himself a face full of bright pink icing courtesy of 7News Perth presenter Tim McMillan.
Channel 7 Telethon Trust chair Richard Goyder paid a glowing tribute to Ms Campbell, her husband Brad and their son Jackson, highlighting the courage it takes to step into such difficult conversations.
Reflecting on the record-breaking $90.1 million raised last year shared across 147 beneficiaries and 300 programs, Mr Goyder reminded attendees that while the final tally matters, the heart of Telethon rests in the community spirit.
“What you are able to do today is bring the community together,” Mr Goyder said.
“Telethon is nothing without the community support... There’s a purpose and a commitment from each of you, knowing what you have to do to support Telethon. Let’s make this the best ever.”
Telethon trustee Kerry Stokes offered a poignant look back across nearly six decades of the television fundraiser’s history — from raising $100,000 in its inaugural year to becoming Western Australia’s defining charitable heartbeat.
“59 years of memories. All the people who have been through Telethon, all those who have been through our hospital system, all those who have needed help,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ve got this big family of people who have actually enjoyed the benefits of Telethon in our community, and that’s why the community supports us so often.”
Mr Stokes highlighted Telethon’s unique model, where 100 per cent of public donations goes directly to the medical and research beneficiaries - to ultimately, help the children who need it most.
“And that’s why Western Australia adopts it so much. It’s theirs, not ours,” Mr Stokes said.
With the ceremonial Telethon oath sworn and spirits soaring, the stage is set for an extraordinary weekend of giving, laughter, and community unity.
Telethon 2026 will be broadcast live from RAC Arena on Channel 7 and 7plus from 7pm.
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