The lead-up to Good Friday was a busy one for Asha Mustica.
The 11-year-old St Joseph’s Primary School student wanted to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal — and with a grand total of $5002 collected, it’s fair to say she fulfilled her mission.
Asha said she wanted to raise the money after spending more than her fair share of time in the hospital.
“I spent a lot of time in the Royal Children’s Hospital. Last year was about 43 days,” she said.
Last year wasn’t Asha’s only time in the hospital, as she suffers from a rare heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot.
Present since birth, the disease causes oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body.
Asha’s first experience with the consequences of the disease came when she had a heart operation when she was five days old and another one when she was six months old.
Asha said it was her idea to raise money, and her parents were supportive.
“It was my idea and they thought it was a great idea,” she said.
“I asked family and friends to donate and I did a raffle at the Big Strawberry (in Koonoomoo) and a raffle and lolly bags at school.”
Naturally Asha is proud of her achievement.
“Really happy and excited, to give back to the hospital,” she said.
Like most kids, Asha loves the Easter holidays and said her favourite part was eating chocolate and spending time with family and friends while watching the Good Friday Appeal on television.
Asha’s mother, Carol Mustica, couldn’t be more proud of her daughter, whom she said was an inspiration.
“It shows anyone can make a difference,” she said.
Ms Mustica was effusive in her praise for the Royal Children’s Hospital and said the doctors, nurses and staff showed nothing but care and support.
“It’s world-class, and they go above and beyond to help everybody,” she said.