Bringing hope to kids with cancer.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Bringing hope to kids with cancer.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
For many of us, Christmas is a time for goodwill and hope.
For families going through the heartbreak of a child with cancer, hope gets them through the dark and difficult moments. Hope that one day it will be their child ringing the end of treatment bell at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), marking the end of challenging chapter.
For these families, hope also comes from the courageous children who’ve fought hard, rung the bell and are now thriving in life.
Give hope this Christmas, donate to support kids with cancer.
Luca M, age 8.
When Luca was diagnosed with an extremely rare brain tumour at just three years old, doctors feared she wouldn’t make it to Christmas.
Five years on from a gruelling fifteen month battle which included high-risk surgery, chemotherapy, three stem cell transplants and radiation, Luca remains cancer-free and is flourishing. She’s enjoying school, being with her friends and has discovered a new passion for netball.
“It’s so good to see her as a normal kid, enjoying the sportsmanship of netball, being on a team, making new friends and cheering on her teammates,” said Luca’s mum Brooke.
Luca M, age 8.
Luca’s incredible journey is now inspiring families interstate and overseas in Germany, the UK and US. “The families of kids who’ve been recently diagnosed with the same rare cancer reach out and they all hold onto her for their hope.”
Every three months, Luca visits PCH for scans, blood tests, rehabilitation and to check on the growth hormones she takes to help her grow and improve fitness and endurance levels, which were affected by treatment.
“Every dollar you can donate is worth it, even for the kids where you think there might not be much hope, there is always hope, and there are kids out there like mine who are thriving because of the generosity of donors.”
Maddy F, age 13.
Ringing the end of treatment bell is now a distant memory for Maddy and her family. More than three years have passed since she finished treatment for leukaemia and the complications that put her in a wheelchair for more than a year.
Maddy spent nine months in hospital seeing only her mum and dad, separated from her three sisters for months at a time.
“You live quite separately when the kids are going through treatment, so we’re enjoying doing lots of lovely family things and being home together,” said Maddy’s mum Lauren.
Maddy F, age 13 .
Today, Maddy is strong and healthy and recovering from recent surgery on her ankle to fix a condition called osteochondritis caused by cancer treatment. As she continues to go from strength to strength, her checkups at PCH have dropped to every three months.
Netball continues to be a big part of Maddy’s life; she also loves craft and is an enthusiastic baker, with year’s Christmas table likely to include a batch of her favourite melting moments!
“With kids’ cancer, when you can put a name to a face, you realise how in one moment everything changes for these families and the more you can give, the more we can help support families dealing with very sick kids.”
Tom D, age 12.
Tom and his family are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in the UK, wrapped in the warmth and joy of their extended family. It will be their first trip back since Tom completed three and a half frightening years of chemotherapy for leukaemia.
The past year has been a big one for Tom – he’s adjusted to high school life (excelling in maths and science) and is still going strong on the netball court, playing up to three games a week.
“He just seems to be a superstar in everything he does; it’s made the pain and suffering worthwhile, it’s lovely to see him getting back in and thriving,” said Tom’s dad Simon.
Tom D, age 12.
At three years post-treatment, Tom’s PCH checkups for blood tests and physical examinations have reduced to every three months.
“We’ve been very lucky that we’ve come out the other side and we’ve got a growing and smiling young man who’s incredibly happy and has an understanding of what’s important in life.
“I’d encourage everyone to dig deep to support the other families that are currently going through so many troubles.”
Luca K, age 5.
For so long, all that Luca’s family dreamed of was for life to return to normal.
Diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma – cancer of the body’s nerve cells – just before turning two, Luca endured a harrowing 15 month journey which included surgery, chemotherapy, stem cell rescues, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
More than two years after ringing the end of treatment bell, Luca and his family are living their dream.
“Life is just normal, and we make the most of every day,” said Di, Luca’s mum.
Luca K, age 5.
Being blind in one eye and having hearing loss – side effects of his cancer and the treatment – doesn’t hold Luca back in life. He paints, draws, takes swimming lessons, is thriving at school and loves helping his dad with tools. There are trips back to PCH every three months for checkups and scans but Luca takes it all in his stride.
“You won’t regret helping PCHF because they’re helping the kids of WA – it’s the greatest gift you can give.
“I know a lot goes to research and at the end of the day our little boy wouldn’t be here without research – knowing what treatments would work, as well as how we can try and reduce the side effects.”
The 2025 PCHF Christmas Appeal will bring hope to more families with children fighting cancer this Christmas.
Donate here to give them the ultimate Christmas gift of hope.
