Get Involved - Parliament

Tania Mastroianni

Published on: September 2024

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-145887

Tania Mastroianni

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (17:02:30):

The smallest act of kindness sometimes has the greatest impact on someone's life. For Tania Mastroianni, founder of Business with a Heart, her journey began at infancy when she was gifted a teddy bear after a traumatic and extremely complicated birth. Before she was even six months old, Tania had three heart surgeries and suffered a stroke that paralysed the left side of her body. The teddy bear she was gifted became a permanent companion and a symbol of hope and comfort for her. Now, Tania's Business with a Heart has launched the Special Bear Friends program at Royal North Shore Hospital. The program lets struggling kids and families know that people are thinking of them and supporting them through difficult times through the simple gift of a teddy bear. I acknowledge Tania; Yvonne Collier, president of the North Sydney Business Chamber; Tamara Keniry, president of the Mosman Chamber of Commerce; and all of the members of the chambers. They have helped promote and support Tania's touching program. I know all the businesses are excited to be involved. I congratulate Tania. We all want to see joy in the lives of our little people who are struggling with health concerns. I wish her good luck with the program.