But for some Launceston local families, it will be very different - there'll be long drives to hospitals, days jam-packed with tests and treatments, and, if possible, family gatherings around a hospital bed.

These families have a young son or daughter with cancer and unfortunately, cancer doesn't stop at Easter. At Redkite, we've spoken with so many mums and dads who say it can be very tough to embrace Easter when your child is hurting.

And as much as parents can try to make everything seem normal, Easter can never be the same when your child is sick.

On top of this, families are also dealing with the financial burden and emotional strain that often goes hand-in-hand with a cancer diagnosis.

In fact, based on research, we expect 140 Australian children and young people up to 24 years to be diagnosed with cancer during the month of Easter. Fortunately for these families, they are not alone.

Redkite gives children and young people with cancer and their families constant support to help them through these challenges.

With critical services including counselling in hospitals, music therapy and paying essential household bills, Redkite is there every step of the way; from diagnosis to remission and beyond. But, we couldn't do it without the incredibly generous support of individual donors and corporate partners.

This includes the incredible fundraising efforts of Coles team members and Launceston's big-hearted community, who are supporting us during Easter through the sale of new Easter Bunny Chocolate Biscuits and then through the sale of packets of hot cross buns sold after Easter.

Thankfully this support also goes beyond Easter.

Since 2013, Coles has contributed more than $33 million to Redkite, with the local Coles supermarket teams and customers in Launceston being great contributors. Coles has transformed cancer care in Australia and ensured 12 families in the local area were helped during the past year.

This has included helping five families with financial support and eight with counselling services.

On behalf of all the families Redkite helps, I'd like to offer an enormous thank you customers and teams in Launceston for the support they have given so far and everything they do in the future.

To donate, visit www.redkite.org.au.

I DON'T know what was the point of Geoff McLean's letter in (The Examiner, April 11), if it was to make pensioners feel bad, I'm sorry you missed the point.

I commenced work in 1951 and retired in 1991, but as a woman was not eligible for superannuation, I paid my taxes as a government employee and do not feel guilty or less than the men who did not receive super.

I ENDORSE the principles and practice of palliative care, including the use of medication to ameliorate symptoms, but knowing full well these medications could shorten life.

I also support the right of fully informed, intellectually competent individuals, to have choices, including a voluntary, medical assisted death.

For some people, emotional suffering is of more concern, as they lose control of their self-determination and independence.

Studies at Queensland University and elsewhere in the past have clearly demonstrated that the general population is more concerned about the loss of physical and mental capacity than physical pain.

The dying process is generally easier for those few who can afford to be admitted to a dedicated hospice unit.

Many other people have to face fractured/blended family units and, therefore, lack adequate family support, as there is never enough flexible community-based palliative care available and/or affordable when most needed.

The success of home-based palliative care is very dependent on there being adequate family-friend support.

Legislation should offer support and legal protection for both informal carers and professionals.

This would allow for public-legal scrutiny of procedures and enhance the existing common law rights.

Legislation would also demand strict guidelines, whilst offering freedom of choice to a fully informed, intellectually competent individual.

It is the height of intellectual arrogance to suggest that well informed, intellectually competent individuals cannot make a reasoned decision regarding their future care, that would assist in retaining autonomy.

I READ that the council are asking people in Launceston why they are not going to town.

Well hello, why aren't they looking at other cities in Australia?

I remember very clearly going into the city in Rockhampton to have a look around, goodness the town centre was deserted, all the shopping was out in the suburbs.

There are many other cities in Australia that it has happened too.

I have not been into the centre of Launceston for about 12 months, I don't need to.

Everything I need is in the suburbs.

I can also sit at home at my computer and buy such a lot of what I need.

I realise not everyone is not able to do that or wish to.

Why can't they see it? Life has changed.

Are they flogging a dead horse?