CommBank and Clown Doctors are celebrating a major milestone - helping deliver over 1 million smiles to sick children, their families and hospital staff, as Smile Month fundraising kicks off again this year.
For more than two decades, CommBank's partnership has helped fund over 8,500 Clown Rounds, bringing laughter and joy to children in 21 hospitals and two hospices across Australia. The Clown Doctors is The Humour Foundation's flagship national program and every year, they make over 230,000 visits using play, humour and distraction to improve the hospital experience for young patients.
All donations made during Smile Month in March will be matched by the CommBank Staff Foundation up to a total of $100,000. Donations can be made online or in-branch, with fundraising events taking place at local branches across the country and culminating on Smile Day, Friday 28 March.
Beyond the smiles, research shows that medical clowning not only lifts spirits but also has measurable health benefits. Their work in burn clinics has been linked to faster healing times, helping more children recover within the critical 17-day window to reduce scarring and the need for skin grafts, scar management or reconstructive surgery. Additionally, the Clown Doctors program helps reduce the reliance on anaesthetics in some clinical spaces in up to 50 per cent of cases, reducing hospital costs and easing pressure on medical staff.1
Lou Pollard, one of The Humour Foundation's Clown Doctors - otherwise known as Dr Quack - said: "It's the continuity of our visits that's most important. For parents of children with chronic, long-term conditions, who are also managing other siblings plus their work, it can be exhausting - and in these times, we can be the port in the storm. We also spend a lot of time with teenagers who have eating disorders and mental health issues who just want someone to be real with them and not mention their medical issues. In these instances, laughter and conversation helps them to feel connected and 'normal' for just a moment - and the fact that we can reconnect week after week to maintain that connection, is super important."
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at CommBank, said: "One million smiles is more than just a number. It's 1 million moments of relief, laughter, and human connection for children facing some of the toughest times of their young lives. We're proud of our long-term support for the Clown Doctors. This Smile Month, we're matching every donation up to a total of $100,000. Every donation, big or small, helps spark brightness and joy to a child when they need it most. Together, we can help Clown Doctors continue their invaluable work for years to come."
Emma Pollard, CEO of The Humour Foundation, the parent company of Clown Doctors, said: "CommBank has transformed the hospital experience for more than 1 million children, their families, carers, and hospital staff through their support of the Clown Doctors program. As our Founding Partner, they have enabled the delivery of over 8,500 'Clown Rounds' nationally including in specialist clinics such as oncology, burns, fractures, pathology, and mental health. I am grateful that with CommBank's support, including via Smile Month matched giving, we can also investigate, trial, and implement the Clown Doctors program in new clinical spaces; the great strength of our Partnership is that it enables us to continuously improve and evolve the services we deliver in hospitals right across the country."
This year's Smile Month fundraising will help support the 65 clown doctors across Australia bringing hope and joy to sick children, carers and staff in hospitals around Australia.
Donations to the Clown Doctors can be made throughout March at any CommBank branch or online at: commbank.com.au/clowndoctors
1Social Ventures Australia Consulting. Clown Doctors in Specialist Outpatient Clinics - Evaluative Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis. 2022. Report.
2The Humour Foundation FY24 Impact Summary
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