Sunday Night's 10 most moving stories of all time
Here at Sunday Night we've been known to share the odd tear-jerker. But these moving moments, mostly from ordinary Australians, are what make our show special. Take a look at these incredible stories of survival, strength and love.
1. Sharn's Last Wish
She was just 31 when she was diagnosed with ALS and given a maximum of five years to live. It was news that devastated Sharn and her husband Russell.
But it wouldn’t destroy her dream of completing the ultimate physical challenge, a full Ironman.
"If you can approach any life challenge with the right attitude then I think it makes for a better world," Sharn told Sunday Night reporter Denham Hitchcock.
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2. Cass and Jason's story
She was the hottest girl in high school. He was two years older but too shy to ask her out. What eventually brought them together was a unique friendship that grew into an unforgettable love story for Cass and Jason had a common bond - they both had cancer.
3. Charlotte Dawson's last interview
In her last interview Charlotte Dawson spoke candidly about making a "fresh start" – but according to those close to her it was masking sadness and fear.
From a secret Bali getaway Charlotte opened up about ex-husband Scott Miller, describes her pain over aborting their baby, and talks about the fresh start she wanted in 2014.
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4. Hero Brother
Calyn Hoad was only seven when he threw himself in front of a four-wheel-drive to save his little brother’s life, suffering massive brain damage. Doctors were uncertain he would even wake up.
But he defied all the odds and made a remarkable recovery.
Then something incredible happened — Australians banded together to build this little hero a new house.
Watch the emotional reveal with over 200 contributors that took place after our story.
5. Saving Marianne
Doctors simply don’t know if Marianne can be saved.
At just 24 her life depends on getting one of very few multiple-organ transplants to ever be performed in Australia but she is too sick to stay on the transplant list.
Marianne was born with “chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo obstruction” and has spent the past two years in the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, undergoing operations and being intravenously fed because she can’t digest food.
Derryn Hinch did a moving story with Marianne to highlight the importance of taking care of your organs.
6. My Dad Don
Chris Bath delivers an emotional and very personal report about how her family has been affected by the stroke of her father Don.
Devoted husband of almost 50 years to his wife Maureen, Don loves his two daughters and his grandkids. But life for their family changed forever following his massive stroke in April 2009 – Maureen has been forced to let go of their retirement plans and become her husband’s full-time carer.
7. Matthew Ames
After complaining of a sore throat, Matthew's life changed forever when a common bacteria entered his blood stream and caused the rare toxic shock syndrome.
Initially, Matthew’s left arm had to be amputated but the infection continued to spread and doctors decided the only way to stop the toxins and save his life was the most radical surgery they’d ever done.
His wife Di was called on to make the decision - to lose her husband or have his remaining limbs amputated.
Meet Dorothy, a woman with advanced Alzheimer's whose husband was forced to put her into care. But there's something very special about the place she now calls home.
'The Mount' is a childcare centre combined with a nursing home, a place where young and old come together to grow up and grow old.
While Dorothy normally can't even speak coherently, during activities with the preschoolers she has moments of lucidity that have stunned staff.
And she's not the only one.
9. Hearing for the first time: Tim and Natalie's story
Sunday Night welcomed a family who wanted to share their story, and it touched a nation. Tim and Natalie were both born profoundly deaf and had never heard each other, or their three children, speak.
Both 44, they decided to take the plunge with life-changing cochlear surgery and we were there every step of the way.
Then, for the first time on Australian TV, the cochlear implants were turned on.
It was an emotional show for everyone.
A Moroccan boy who was born without eyes, a nose, or a fully formed mouth has undergone marathon surgery to give him a new face.
After years of preparation, Yahya finally reveals his new face for family and friends who took him across the world for a chance at a normal life.
