How 350 Giraffes Help Australia’s Biggest Giraffe Fan Smile Through 39 Surgeries
Most people collect a few souvenirs.
Samantha "Sammy" Stibbard has 350 giraffes.
Ahead of World Giraffe Day, the 39-year-old is sharing the surprising reason the world's tallest animal has become her greatest source of comfort through a lifetime of health challenges.
Despite enduring as many surgeries as her age since birth, Sammy remains relentlessly positive.
When she's not singing karaoke, getting manicures or painting her dog Koko's nails, she's adding to her ever-growing giraffe collection or visiting her favourites, Skye and Khamisi, at Jamala Wildlife Lodge.
At just 140cm tall, Sammy says she's fascinated by the gentle giants.
“I love how calm they are. They seem to look at the world differently,” she says.
"It was the best birthday ever meeting them. They're kind and I swear they recognised me.”
Her aunt, Danielle Rotondo, says, “Samantha’s our Superhero.
“She insists on being independent and shines bright – she’s a born optimist and her happy fun can-do nature brightens everyone's days.”
Sammy has neurofibromatosis, diagnosed in childhood and affects the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves – and can grow anywhere in the body.
Her story is one of almost 100,000 Australians being supported this year through a new hospital care initiative created by breast cancer survivor Melissa Lewis.
In 2023, Sammy, who has neurofibromatosis, stopped chemotherapy as it wasn’t working – but it destroyed her skin.
Her aunt, Danielle says, one of the most and often-overlooked impacts cancer treatment and chronic illness can have is on skin health.
Mum-of-three Melissa experienced the harsh reality of treatment herself after being diagnosed with aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer in 2021.
She says, “One side effect rarely discussed is skin damage.”
Up to 90 per cent of cancer patients experience skin toxicities during treatment, ranging from severe dryness and irritation to painful ulcers and burns.
She’s providing free gentle skincare to almost 100,000 patients this year across 135 Australian hospitls, including:
- Westmead Hospital’s Maternity unit (5,000 babies born each year) and over 2,000 radiation-friendly care packs for its Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre
- Women and Icon Cancer Centre South Brisbane
- The Royal Children's Hospital
- Austin Health
- Sleapy's Foundation
- Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH), Australia's first dedicated hospice for 16-30-year-olds – where Sammy goes for respite
“Treatment can be incredibly tough on the skin, but it's often one of the last things people talk about," says Melissa.”
“Comfort matters. Dignity matters. If we can make someone's day a little easier, that's worth everything.”
The program will reach around 200,000 patients this year and 45,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients this year, alongside thousands of families through maternity and hospice partnerships.
For Sammy, it's another reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
“Life can be hard,” she says. But giraffes make me smile.”
