The Power of Care: How Tim Conolan and TLC for Kids Are Changing Lives
by Kristina Karlsson
In one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve ever had on Your Dream Life Podcast, I sat down with Tim Conolan, the founder of TLC for Kids, to explore not just the dreams he had as a child, but the remarkable journey that led him to create an organization that’s transforming the lives of sick children and their families.
Tim’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a powerful reminder that one person, with passion and purpose, can create ripples that change the world.
A Sliding Doors Moment That Changed Everything
When Tim was a young boy, he dreamed of becoming an architect. But life had other plans. A chance encounter with a teenage boy named Francis—who was battling terminal cancer—became Tim’s defining moment. Francis had one simple wish: to experience the feeling of breathing without pain just one more time.
Tim couldn’t change Francis’s medical outcome, but he could change how he felt in the time he had left. Through a simple breathing meditation, Tim helped Francis take three deep, pain-free breaths—a small act that made an immeasurable impact.
After Francis passed away, Tim knew his life had a new purpose. “If I can help just one more kid,” he thought, “then that’s enough.”
But as it turns out, that was just the beginning.
The Birth of TLC for Kids
Tim co-founded TLC for Kids with his partner Anna Darras in 1998 after realizing a heartbreaking truth: thousands of sick children were falling through the cracks of existing support systems.
Many didn’t qualify for help because of technicalities—wrong diagnosis, wrong department, wrong paperwork.
Tim and Anna didn’t set out to build a charity. They just wanted to fill the gaps. But their passion and relentless drive quickly turned TLC for Kids into something extraordinary—a nonprofit that responds faster than any other, offering practical and emotional support when families need it most.
The Heart of TLC: Making Kids Feel Normal Again
At its core, TLC for Kids is about one simple, powerful mission: helping sick children feel normal, even if just for a moment.
Here’s how they do it:
1. Rapid TLC: Immediate Support When It’s Needed Most
When a child is in crisis, there’s no time for waiting lists or complicated paperwork. That’s why TLC for Kids created Rapid TLC—a service that allows healthcare professionals to request urgent support for families within 24 to 48 hours.
It could be covering the cost of medical bills, providing transport to hospital appointments, organizing birthday surprises, or even something as simple as an iPad so a child can stay connected with family in another hospital.
These aren’t grand gestures for the sake of charity—they’re practical, life-changing acts of kindness delivered exactly when they’re needed.
2. Distraction Boxes: Turning Fear into Fun
Imagine being a child in a hospital, facing needles, scans, or painful procedures. It’s terrifying.
That’s where Distraction Boxes come in.
Filled with carefully selected toys, puzzles, and sensory items, these boxes help distract kids during medical treatments, reducing anxiety and even physical pain. Something as simple as a “Find-It Tube”—a clear tube filled with tiny objects hidden among colorful beads—can be enough to shift a child’s focus from fear to curiosity.
These boxes are now used over a million times a year across hospitals in Australia. And it’s not just kids who benefit—parents and even healthcare workers find comfort in these small but powerful tools.
3. Tap to Distract App: Support in the Palm of Your Hand
Not every child can access physical support in a hospital, which is why TLC for Kids developed the Tap to Distract app—a free, digital version of their distraction techniques.
The app includes calming games, breathing exercises, and simple activities designed to help regulate emotions and reduce stress. It’s been used for everything from helping children through chemotherapy to easing anxiety in waiting rooms.
A personal story Tim shared brought me to tears.
His own mother, terrified of needles her entire life, needed a cannula inserted after a heart attack. Using the app’s breathing exercise, she remained calm through the entire procedure—without even realizing it had been done.
That’s the power of simple, thoughtful tools used with intention.
4. TLC Ambulance: Creating Precious Memories for Families
Perhaps the most heartwarming—and heartbreaking—service Tim shared is the TLC Ambulance.
This isn’t your typical ambulance. It’s a specially designed vehicle for children in palliative care, created to give families precious memories in their final days together.
Whether it’s a trip to the beach, the zoo, or simply a visit back home, these journeys are about one thing: giving families a moment to feel whole again.
The team captures photos and videos during each trip, creating beautiful memory books for families to cherish forever.
They even dedicate a star in the child’s name—a lasting tribute to a life filled with love.
5 Key Insights from Tim’s Journey
After speaking with Tim, I walked away feeling profoundly moved. Here are the five key lessons that stayed with me:
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One Person Can Make a Difference: Tim didn’t have a plan to change the world. He just wanted to help one boy—and that small act grew into a ripple effect that’s touched thousands of lives.
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Kindness Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated: Whether it’s a pair of running shoes, a simple breathing exercise, or a phone call from a favorite singer, small gestures can create lasting impacts.
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Everyone Can Help: You don’t need to be wealthy to make a difference. A dollar a week, sharing a story, or offering your time can change someone’s life.
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Resilience Comes from Purpose: When your work is fueled by genuine passion and purpose, you can overcome any obstacle. Tim’s journey hasn’t been easy, but his ‘why’ has kept him going.
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Cherish the Little Moments: Whether it’s a deep breath, a child’s smile, or a quiet moment of reflection, these are the memories that matter most.
How You Can Help—Even with Just $1 a Week
Listening to Tim’s story, I couldn’t help but think: What if everyone who heard this gave just $1 a week? Imagine the impact.
TLC for Kids has made it incredibly easy to support their work through the Friends of TLC program.
For the cost of a single coffee a month, you can help fund ambulance trips, medical support, and emotional care for families in crisis.
But if you can’t donate, that’s okay. Sharing this story is just as powerful. Tell a friend. Post about it on social media.
The more people who know about TLC for Kids, the more families they can reach.
Final Thoughts
I’ve had the privilege of meeting many inspiring people through this podcast, but Tim’s story touched my heart in a way I’ll never forget.
His passion, resilience, and genuine kindness are proof that we all have the power to make a difference—one small act at a time.
So, what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
Maybe the answer isn’t about changing the world.
Maybe it’s about changing the world for just one person.
And sometimes, that’s enough. 💛
If you’d like to support TLC for Kids, visit tlcforkids.org.au to learn more or join the Friends of TLC program. Every dollar counts.
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