Five-year-old Archie Mahon, of Jindera, has spent about half his life in the hospital after being diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of soft tissue cancer, at just 19 months old.

Then there's Wodonga brothers Deacon, 9, Kace, 4 and Ruben, 2, who were all born with holes in their hearts, something that's caused an enormous amount of stress and anxiety for mother Rebecca Hill.

Popular Tallangatta sporting identities Joel and Erika O'Connell struck a chord with their story about children Jordy and Darcy, one born prematurely and the other with his heart "plumbed up the wrong way".

Today, Corowa couple Abby and Steve Talbot open up about the terrifying ordeal they went through when, at just three days old, their son Ollie underwent open heart surgery having been diagnosed with the rare congenital disease Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage.

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These are just four ordinary families who have been forced into a situation no parent ever wants to face and that's why it's so important, if you're able, to support the Good Friday Appeal.

The appeal is one of Victoria's truly enduring traditions that has literally poured hundreds of millions into the hospital on Flemington Road in Melbourne which has provided high quality health care for the youngest members of our community.

Just ask the many people from southern NSW and North East Victoria who have had reason to utilise the Royal Children's Hospital how wonderful its service is in the treatment of sick kids.

Albury-Wodonga residents combined last year to raise more than $170,000 for the Good Friday Appeal, which made a record $18 million.

It's up to everyone to ensure we again give generously so they may grow because one thing's for certain, this time next year, more people from our region will have unfortunately had to utilise the services of the Royal Children's Hospital.

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