Summary of this project
Each day, someone in Australia is diagnosed with spinal cord injury, drastically altering their life. When a child themselves is affected by spinal cord injury or someone close to them, it can be a complex and overwhelming condition to understand. Yet, information resources on spinal cord injury which are created specifically for children remain limited.
In this project, Red Blood Comic, in support of The SpineCare Foundation are seeking your help to create 1,000 copies of Injured Cord, a continuation of our successful previous work, Spine Story. Through gentle, visual storytelling designed specifically for young minds, Injured Cord helps children understand what happens inside the spinal cord after an injury, reducing fear and empowering families during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
With your contribution, these comics will be placed directly into the hands of Australian families navigating spinal cord injury, giving children the clarity, comfort, and confidence they deserve. When you give a dollar, we give even more! Our in-kind contribution multiplies your impact and helps us reach more children and families.
Spinal Cord Injury in Australia
Each day in Australia, someone is diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, adding to the more than 20,000 Australians already living with this condition. A spinal cord injury can affect anyone, from children to older people. It is a complex condition that impacts not only the individual but also their entire family, especially children, who must adapt to a dramatically altered life after injury.
Why this project matters
Whether a child themselves is affected by spinal cord injury or someone close to them, it can be a complex and overwhelming condition to understand. Parents and caregivers often tell us they are looking for age-appropriate ways to explain spinal cord injury and its effects, yet resources created specifically for children remain limited.
Our Story - Spine Story
In 2024, Red Blood Comic, in collaboration with The SpineCare Foundation (a division of Northcott) and the NSW Paediatric Spinal Outreach Service (funded by The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, hosted by Northcott), created Spine Story : a gentle, engaging introduction to how the spinal cord works. Through clear storytelling and thoughtful illustrations, it has supported families, educators and clinicians across Australia and internationally, and is now referenced by leading spinal cord injury organisations around the world.
This project: Injured Cord
Building on this success, we are developing the next installment in the series: Injured Cord . This new comic will support children to make sense of what happens in the body after a spinal cord injury, using clear, gentle and child-friendly explanations. Together, these resources will form a growing library designed to support families as they navigate spinal cord injury with knowledge and confidence.
Your support matters
We need your help to bring Injured Cord to life. With your support, this crowdfunding initiative will deliver 1,000 free copies of Injured Cord to Australian hospitals, clinics, schools, and families impacted by spinal cord injury. Your support will help ensure families have access to the high-quality, evidence-informed resources they deserve. In this crowdfund, Red Blood Comic is fundraising for The SpineCare Foundation, allowing tax-deductible donation option (only applicable for donation without rewards).
When you give a dollar, we donate even more through our own time, skills, and production that multiplies your impact and helps us reach more children and families!
Reward
We appreciate your support! As a thank you, we would love to give you something else in return!
$1,000+ Please see Corporate Partner tab
With your support, children affected by spinal cord injury can receive the clear, child-friendly information they urgently need.
Perks
Signed copy (by illustrator & clinical advisor) +
Red Blood Comic merchandise sticker pack
As our Bronze Partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition ( 1/4 page ) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section)
- 25 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Social media shout-out (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge: “Proud Community Supporter” for use in your organisation’s communications
As our Silver Partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition (1/2 page) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section)
- 50 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Social media shout-out (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge : “Proud Community Supporter” for use in your organisation’s communications
As our Gold Partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition (1 page) inside Supporters page ( Community Partner section ) and on back cover
- 100 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Brand and logo featured in campaign promotion (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge : “ Proud Community Partner ” for use in your organisation’s communications
- Optional presentation: “ Communicating Health with Empathy ” by RBC’s founder, Gita Rahardjo*
*Presentation and workshop can be done virtually with in-person presentation is limited to Sydney and Illawarra region.
As our platinum partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition (1 page) inside Supporters page ( Community Partner section ) and on the inside front cover
- 250 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Co-branding inc lud ed in the campaign t hank you vide o and re levant media co m munications
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Option to donate 100 copies to a children’s hospital of your choice
- Acknowledgement at national events and in Red Blood Comic partner presentations
- Digital badge: “ Proud Community Partner ” for use in your organisation’s communications
- Opportunity to co-fund or co-develop a future Red Blood Comic children’s health resource
Highlights
See all activity4Get to know us
Red Blood Comic (RBC) is a social enterprise created to transform complex medical concepts into clear, engaging, and kid-friendly graphic visuals. Our mission is to help children and their families understand health conditions and treatments through artful storytelling. We believe that when children understand what’s happening, whether it’s to them or someone they love, they feel more secure, connected and empowered. Our vision is to ensure that every child can access accurate, inclusive health information in a way they can truly understand.
In this project, we support The SpineCare Foundation to raise funds for this much needed cause. SpineCare is a division of Northcott committed to funding research and educational initiatives that support children with spinal cord injury or dysfunction and their families.
The Foundation’s initiatives include:
- Coordinating educational activities to share knowledge about spinal cord injury and dysfunction in children
- Awarding tertiary scholarships to students who use wheelchairs
- Funding Masters, PhD and postdoctoral research projects to increase the body of knowledge on paediatric spinal cord injury and dysfunction.
Red Blood Comic then works in partnership with the NSW Paediatric Spinal Outreach Service (funded by The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, hosted by Northcott) to ensure scientific accuracy, clarity and relatability of our work. The aims are to improve health literacy, emotional resilience and inclusion for children navigating life while dealing with spinal cord injury.
Corporate Partner
Why partner with us?
Proven success : Spine Story has already demonstrated measurable impact and positive feedback from healthcare professionals and families.
Social impact : Strengthen your organisation's commitment to community wellbeing and child health.
Visibility : Be featured across print, digital, and media platforms as a champion of inclusive health education.
Connection : Partner with a recognised, award-winning Australian social enterprise improving health literacy.
Legacy : Every partnership leaves a tangible impact: real stories, real families, real change.
Choose your level of support:
Platinum Partner – $10,000
Inclusions:
- Logo recognition (1 page) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section) and on the inside front cover
- 250 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Co-branding included in the campaign thank you video and relevant media communications
- Invitation to the official launch event, including media and photo opportunities
- Option to donate 100 copies to a children’s hospital of your choice
- Acknowledgement at national events and in Red Blood Comic partner presentations
- Digital badge: “Proud Community Partner” for use in your organisation’s communications
- Opportunity to co-fund or co-develop a future Red Blood Comic children’s health resource
Gold Partner – $5,000
Inclusions:
- Logo recognition (1 page) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section) and on back cover
- 100 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Brand and logo featured in campaign promotion (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event, including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge : “Proud Community Partner” for use in your organisation’s communications
- Optional presentation: “Communicating Health with Empathy ” by RBC’s founder, Gita Rahardjo*
*Presentation and workshop can be done virtually with in-person presentation is limited to Sydney and Illawarra region.
Silver Partner – $2,000
Inclusions:
- Logo recognition (1/2 page) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section)
- 50 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Social media shout-out (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event, including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge : “Proud Community Supporter” for use in your organisation’s communications
Bronze Partner – $1,000
Inclusions:
- Logo recognition (1/4 page) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section)
- 25 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Social media shout-out (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event, including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge: “Proud Community Supporter” for use in your organisation’s communications
Activity
Signed copy (by illustrator & clinical advisor) +
Red Blood Comic merchandise sticker pack
As our Bronze Partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition ( 1/4 page ) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section)
- 25 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Social media shout-out (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge: “Proud Community Supporter” for use in your organisation’s communications
As our Silver Partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition (1/2 page) inside Supporters page (Community Partner section)
- 50 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Social media shout-out (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge : “Proud Community Supporter” for use in your organisation’s communications
As our Gold Partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition (1 page) inside Supporters page ( Community Partner section ) and on back cover
- 100 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Brand and logo featured in campaign promotion (all RBC platforms)
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Digital badge : “ Proud Community Partner ” for use in your organisation’s communications
- Optional presentation: “ Communicating Health with Empathy ” by RBC’s founder, Gita Rahardjo*
*Presentation and workshop can be done virtually with in-person presentation is limited to Sydney and Illawarra region.
As our platinum partner, you will get these range of perks:
- Logo recognition (1 page) inside Supporters page ( Community Partner section ) and on the inside front cover
- 250 printed copies supplied for your organisation or program of choice
- Co-branding inc lud ed in the campaign t hank you vide o and re levant media co m munications
- Invitation to the official launch event , including media and photo opportunities
- Option to donate 100 copies to a children’s hospital of your choice
- Acknowledgement at national events and in Red Blood Comic partner presentations
- Digital badge: “ Proud Community Partner ” for use in your organisation’s communications
- Opportunity to co-fund or co-develop a future Red Blood Comic children’s health resource
