Life’s unpredictable twists often unveil profound resilience within individuals. Jason Sotiris and his family encountered such a trial when their daughter Angela was diagnosed with cancer at just one-year-old. Amidst the turmoil of Angela’s treatment, Jason, a self-employed tradie, found inspiration amid struggle.
Witnessing his daughter’s ongoing discomfort during hospital stays, poked and prodded, forever nervous for when the next doctor would walk in, he envisioned a solution: a garment that would ease the challenges of dressing ill children, both awake and asleep.
This spark of innovation birthed the Supertee. Collaborating with a friend and drawing from insights from hospital nurses, Jason developed a prototype that would revolutionise comfort and convenience for paediatric patients and their caregivers.
The Supertee’s journey from concept to reality culminated in its launch at the hospital, where Angela received care and an incredibly poignant testament to perseverance and hope amidst adversity.
Since its debut, Supertee has become a beacon of support for thousands of Australian families facing similar trials. With over $500,000 in donations, 8,000 Supertees distributed, and a prestigious design award, the charity’s impact reverberates nationwide.
A collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, the Supertee Marvel Edition takes the design of some of the world’s most known comic heroes, Captain American and Captain Marvel, and by wearing these special tees, kids adopt that feeling of being their own brave hero.
Speaking with Supertee CEO, Jason Sotiris, Having Marvel and Avengers celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Brie Larson jump on board was a dream come true.
“As a former tradie who has had the privilege of following his dream, it is a real honour to have the support and belief of one of the world’s most recognised brands. We are a Disney family through and through. The dream is to bring a bit of that magic to every child who will never have that opportunity to visit Disneyland but, with their imagination, can be the hero of their own story.”
More recently, The Post participated along with other community legends in the Supertees packing process at Magpies Waitara, a heartwarming morning, carefully packaging Supertees with different goodies and handwritten cards written that morning.
Jason commented on the importance of community engagement at a local level.
“When we created the Supertee, we agreed that they must be available free of charge to parents. They are going through so much already, and having financial support and volunteering from the team at Magpies Waitara is how the magic gets made. We believe there are some very kind and generous organisations like Magpies Waitara who can shed some light on a very dark situation for these families.”
Supertees are always looking for volunteers; trust us, if you’re keen to not only tick off a good deed but also make a genuine impact on the lives of struggling kids, don’t hesitate to jump on board!
“What is a cause without those that support it? We need to help 16,000 children this year and can use all the help available. We are currently recruiting fundraisers who will help us get more care packs out.” Jason Sotiris.
If you want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of struggling kids and families, visit the Supertee website www.supertee.org.au
