27/06/2025
YAPS has already met so many wonderful people, (and started some important conversations about scary stuff) in his travels.
Before we share his adventures, we'd just like to again thank the whole crew that made our little orange guy possible!
Thank you to the talented Luke Escombe for coordinating the Breakthrough project and introducing me to Kay Yasugi and Katherine Hannaford, helping with the creation of the puppet itself as a newbie to the world of puppetry. (This is just the beginning!) 😎
Thank you to Marcus Heironymus, my incredible partner, for your support with my crafting, and wanting to puppeteer YAPS in everyday situations- to meet new people and explain to them why it's so important we're sharing his story. 🧡
For people like Marcus that have gone through Cancer treatment as a young person- it can be confronting and strange in a world of hospitals and resources mostly designed for adults. (Or on the other end of the spectrum- being put into children's hospitals.)
There's that spot in the middle, not a little kid anymore and not a fully fledged adult. This time is already hard enough without being critically unwell!
The Sony YouCan Foundation, Canteen and organisations like the multiple Australian Youth Advocacy Groups, are working incredibly hard to make sure there's a place that feels at least comfortable and some kind of "normal", when Cancer treatment changes everything for young people. YAPS represents those people- but he can be anyone. He shows us that the scary and confronting parts of treatment are there to help, and they're only temporary. And you aren't alone, going through your hospital journey.
Taken from the Canteen site, here are the amazing crew from the Breakthrough music video itself.
We will do our best to continue representing YAPS and his cause, with integrity and passion. 🧡 Em.
______________________________
Credits
Video
Written and developed by The AYAs from an initial concept by Samuel Gascoigne
Director: Thomas Binns
Producer: Ryan Cook
Director of Photography: Ryan Cook
Editor: Thomas Binns
Behind-the-scenes Footage: Josh Bell
Illustrations: Liana Galic
Executive producer: Luke Escombe
Filmed at the Oncology Day unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane
Location Supervisor and On-Set Nurse: Vivian Nguyen
Gear Rental and Consulting: Synctum
Gear Rental: Red Brick Studio
Puppetry
YAPS the puppet made, designed, and operated by Emma Bailye
Puppeteer: Emma Bailye
Puppeteer’s Assistant: Marcus Heironymus
Puppetry Consultant: Brett Hansen
Puppet-making Consultant: Kay Yasugi
Puppet-making Pack: Katherine Hannaford
Song
Music and Lyrics by Luke Escombe based on conversations with The AYAs
Lead Vocals: Liana Galic
Backing Vocals: Josh Bell
Backing Vocals: Dawson Sorby
Piano / Organ: Josh Bell
Guitars / Bass / Uke: Luke Escombe
Drums: Evan Mannell
Producer: Luke Escombe
Producer: Josh Bell
Producer: Sean Carey
Additional Engineering: Tayla Storr
Additional Engineering: Julia Goyen
Recorded at various locations in SA and NSW
Mixed by Sean Carey at Church St Studios, Sydney
The AYAs
Emma Bailye, Josh Bell, Thomas Binns, Ryan Cook, Liana Galic, Samuel Gascoigne, Doron Losky, Khlya Meighan, Elias Mimidas, Chris Mumby, Dawson Sorby
Special thanks
Megan Baiocchi, Trent Rosen, Kylie McPaul, Morgan Atkinson, Jarrett Piggott
Funding and logistical support by Canteen Australia
Location kindly provided by:
Princess Alexandra Hospital Metro South Health
Division of Cancer Services | Queensland Health
Doreen Tapsall, Fiona Henderson, Jennifer Robinson
