When Dr Lauren Ha is asked about celebrating Lunar New Year, she’s instantly transported back to her childhood.
She’s in Chinatown with her family watching lion dancing through the streets. It’s a time of unbridled joy and happiness, with optimism abound for the year ahead.
It’s an optimism she feels as The Kids’ Cancer Project’s official Lunar New Year ambassador as we stride towards survival. The Kids’ Cancer Project – Australia's leading independent childhood cancer research charity – has partnered with Dr Ha on many occasions to develop improved outcomes for kids with cancer.
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Dr Ha is the architect of the Making Moves app (formerly iBounce), that helps young people with cancer by providing an accessible program that focuses on physical activity after cancer treatment.
The Kids’ Cancer Project funds Dr Ha’s research because of how it uses digital technologies to enhance quality of life for Australian children with cancer by supporting physical activity and fitness after treatment.
Making Moves has been proven to improve activity levels and has even reduced sugar-sweetened beverage intake among childhood cancer survivors, with the findings published in the British Journal of Cancer.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse on the Chinese calendar, which brings energy, freedom and ambition.
Dr Ha embodies many qualities of the Fire Horse: hard-working, resilient, and sharp-minded. She says Lunar New Year is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness within the Australian-Asian community about the need to support vital childhood cancer research.
“It’s an honour to be The Kids' Cancer Project’s Lunar New Year ambassador. One of my favourite celebrations of the year, ‘LNY’ is a time filled with family, well wishes and good food,” she says.
I’m excited to celebrate my roots and cultural heritage whilst also advocating for children and families affected by cancer and helping to shine a light on better supports and more research in this space.
The Kids’ Cancer Project funds Dr Ha’s research as part of its mandate to ensure that all children with cancer not only survive, but thrive.
“It’s truly special that The Kids’ Cancer Project is visible and in support of LNY celebrations, as they recognise the rich and diverse Asian communities living in Australia, spanning several generations of families,” says Dr Ha.
“Australia is so lucky to be home to many cultures, and Lunar New Year is a beautiful celebration of family, prosperity, new beginnings, and good health.
“Having The Kids' Cancer Project present during these celebrations helps bring hope to families facing tough journeys in their health, and creates a meaningful opportunity to inspire compassion, gratitude, and support.
Recently, the Ha’s have opted to celebrate LNY at Dr Ha’s grandparents’ house, with gong gong (grandpa) and popo (grandma) responsible for cooking quite the feast. Every aunt, uncle and cousin gather round the table, receiving their own lei see, or red envelope, a tradition for adults gifting good fortune to younger people.
This year, with Dr Ha as our official ambassador, a return to Chinatown in support of children with cancer may await.
The Kids’ Cancer Project is the official charity partner of the City of Sydney’s Sydney Lunar Festival, with a series of activations
scheduled for the February festivities.
