Sonny the superstar.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Sonny the superstar.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Two-year-old with stage 4 cancer inspires family to give back to Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.
This Sunday, May 25, a dedicated group of family and friends from Perth will lace up their sneakers for the HBF Run for a Reason, walking and jogging the 3km course in honour of a remarkable little boy: Santino “Sonny” Curulli.
Just days after celebrating his second birthday in January, Sonny was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer. What began as the discovery of blood in his urine led to a shocking diagnosis – an aggressive cancer which had already spread to his lungs.
Sonny was also born with a rare condition called a horseshoe kidney, where the two kidneys are fused together at the base, forming a U-shape. Most people with the condition live normal lives, but for Sonny, it meant treating his tumour was more complex. He underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumour along with half of his kidney. Click to support Sonny’s fight.
Over the past four months, Sonny has faced intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and weekly visits to Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH). His treatment is expected to finish by late August, but he will need ongoing scans and check-ups for years to come.
Due to his fragile immune system, Sonny won’t be able to attend Sunday’s run. But his parents, Lauren and Daniel, along with his three siblings, grandparents, and extended family and friends, will walk and jog as team Sonny the Superstar.
So far, team Sonny the Superstar – a close-knit group of nearly 15 family members and friends – has raised over $15,000, with hopes of reaching their new goal of $20,000 in the coming days. Donations support Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF) and its mission to provide groundbreaking oncology research for WA kids like Sonny.
The emotional and financial toll has been heavy for Sonny’s family. Daniel and Lauren run their own plumbing business, and it’s been a struggle to balance work with hospital appointments and the emotional weight of Sonny’s treatment.
“It’s not been easy, but we’ve had to push through for the kids,” said Lauren. “It’s a tough time mentally, it’s so hard to keep motivated to work when your mind is elsewhere.”
Among Sonny’s biggest supporters is his uncle, Pete Curulli, a breakfast presenter on Mix 94.5, who has helped to share their story and raise funds for PCHF’s vital work at the hospital.
“Sonny is just so resilient,” Lauren added. “We want to help other families going through this feel less alone. This is our way of giving back to PCH and the Foundation for everything they do.”
By donating to Team Sonny the Superstar, you will be helping PCHF to bring together some of the world’s best experts and researchers with cutting-edge equipment and technology, to help us find answers. Together, we have the potential to revolutionise oncology care, reduce side effects, and inspire hope for a brighter future in kids and families not just in WA, but right around the world.
Support Sonny’s fight today, donate at: Team Sonny the Superstar – Grassrootz Fundraiser
