Real stories
People who have been there and know what it’s like
The greatest words of wisdom and the best tips on facing childhood cancer come from people just like you… Some of these family stories will ring true for you, and others might not, because every family has their own way of telling their story.
Pat and Archer: “I felt like I needed to be the strong one in the family.”
After five-year-old Archie was diagnosed with leukaemia, it led to the most painful, helpless, scary, and stressful 12 months of the family’s life.
Pat and Archer: “I felt like I needed to be the strong one in the family.”
After five-year-old Archie was diagnosed with leukaemia, it led to the most painful, helpless, scary, and stressful 12 months of the family’s life.
Melanie, Emily and Lucy: Coping with grief and loss
Queensland mother of two, Melanie, shares her story of loss and grief and what life is like now for her and her two daughters.
Melanie, Emily and Lucy: Coping with grief and loss
Queensland mother of two, Melanie, shares her story of loss and grief and what life is like now for her and her two daughters.
Nathan and Ollie’s story
After doctors found a tumour behind his right ear, Nathan’s six-year-old son Ollie was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Nathan and Ollie’s story
After doctors found a tumour behind his right ear, Nathan’s six-year-old son Ollie was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Le-Anne and Tommy: The unimaginable financial strain caused by cancer
Single mum, Le-Anne felt the financial pressure after her son Tommy was diagnosed with cancer. “Being a single Mum, there has always only ever been one income. If I am not earning, we don’t eat.”`
Le-Anne and Tommy: The unimaginable financial strain caused by cancer
Single mum, Le-Anne felt the financial pressure after her son Tommy was diagnosed with cancer. “Being a single Mum, there has always only ever been one income. If I am not earning, we don’t eat.”`
Theresa and Summer: “I didn’t know I needed to talk to someone.”
After her daughter Summer’s shock diagnosis, Theresa was overwhelmed and didn’t know who she could talk to. She shares how she learned to share the emotional and financial burden of cancer treatment.
Theresa and Summer: “I didn’t know I needed to talk to someone.”
After her daughter Summer’s shock diagnosis, Theresa was overwhelmed and didn’t know who she could talk to. She shares how she learned to share the emotional and financial burden of cancer treatment.
A Father’s Story: Ritchie
“If I could have any impact, it would be to stand up for men, to have us treated as equals. There’s a lot of good men out there who care.”
A Father’s Story: Ritchie
“If I could have any impact, it would be to stand up for men, to have us treated as equals. There’s a lot of good men out there who care.”
Adry’s 10 year cancer-versary
Adry is now celebrating 10 years of being cancer free. From diagnosis, to finally being told he is in remission, Adry’s cancer experience along with the support from his family and Redkite has brought him a long way
Adry’s 10 year cancer-versary
Adry is now celebrating 10 years of being cancer free. From diagnosis, to finally being told he is in remission, Adry’s cancer experience along with the support from his family and Redkite has brought him a long way
Brooke and Jackson
Brooke tells us about Jackson’s diagnosis, how they were separated from their family for treatment and what that meant for their family Christmas.
Brooke and Jackson
Brooke tells us about Jackson’s diagnosis, how they were separated from their family for treatment and what that meant for their family Christmas.
Tammy and Riley: One Mother’s Strength
Tammy’s son Riley was diagnosed with leaukemia when he was seven years old. Shortly after the diagnosis, Tammy’s husband suddenly died.
Tammy and Riley: One Mother’s Strength
Tammy’s son Riley was diagnosed with leaukemia when he was seven years old. Shortly after the diagnosis, Tammy’s husband suddenly died.
Tom’s Redkite Bag
Trish shares her bereavement journey and the new traditions her family has created to keep Tom’s memory alive.
Tom’s Redkite Bag
Trish shares her bereavement journey and the new traditions her family has created to keep Tom’s memory alive.
Chelsea and Teena: Learning to accept help
Teena tells us about Chelsea’s diagnosis and how learning to accept help from her support team made all the difference.
Chelsea and Teena: Learning to accept help
Teena tells us about Chelsea’s diagnosis and how learning to accept help from her support team made all the difference.
Peter, Jen and Eli Northey
After being diagnosed with childhood cancer at only 5 weeks old, Peter and Jennifer Northey share how Eli is going three years later.
Peter, Jen and Eli Northey
After being diagnosed with childhood cancer at only 5 weeks old, Peter and Jennifer Northey share how Eli is going three years later.
A cancer diagnosis and a newborn in 48 hours
Angela became an expert at juggling when her son was diagnosed with cancer 48 hours before she gave birth.
A cancer diagnosis and a newborn in 48 hours
Angela became an expert at juggling when her son was diagnosed with cancer 48 hours before she gave birth.
Making new traditions with Annabelle
Kathie and her family have found ways to include Annabelle and her memory with new Christmas traditions.
Making new traditions with Annabelle
Kathie and her family have found ways to include Annabelle and her memory with new Christmas traditions.
Mikaela and Gillian: A first Christmas
19-month-old Mikaela had her first Christmas in Australia while in the middle of her treatment for liver cancer.
Mikaela and Gillian: A first Christmas
19-month-old Mikaela had her first Christmas in Australia while in the middle of her treatment for liver cancer.
Meredith’s new cancer journey
Meredith searched for answers for six months until her son was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Meredith’s new cancer journey
Meredith searched for answers for six months until her son was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Megan is determined to live life to the fullest
Cancer has taken so much from Megan over the past two years, but that’s not going to stop her making the most of every moment.
Megan is determined to live life to the fullest
Cancer has taken so much from Megan over the past two years, but that’s not going to stop her making the most of every moment.
Dakoda, Michelle and Family
Every day is a different juggle for the busy Silveira family as they deal with Dakoda’s treatment.
Dakoda, Michelle and Family
Every day is a different juggle for the busy Silveira family as they deal with Dakoda’s treatment.
Cancer disrupted this family’s dream of a better life
When Gillian and her family moved to Australia they hoped for a ‘better life’. Cancer disrupted that.
Cancer disrupted this family’s dream of a better life
When Gillian and her family moved to Australia they hoped for a ‘better life’. Cancer disrupted that.
Teah is rebuilding her life after cancer
Teah is 17 and starting her life all over again because cancer has disrupted everything.
Teah is rebuilding her life after cancer
Teah is 17 and starting her life all over again because cancer has disrupted everything.
Vinny, Sally & Michael
Our time enjoying life as new parents abruptly ended when Vinny was admitted to hospital at two months old.
Vinny, Sally & Michael
Our time enjoying life as new parents abruptly ended when Vinny was admitted to hospital at two months old.
Tara and Melissa
Hear from Tara about the two turning points in her life: when she first found out she had cancer and when it came back.
Tara and Melissa
Hear from Tara about the two turning points in her life: when she first found out she had cancer and when it came back.
Jane and Angus
Redkite helped Jane’s family during her treatment. Now her father’s art has helped others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jane and Angus
Redkite helped Jane’s family during her treatment. Now her father’s art has helped others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leanne and Georgia
Leanne’s daughter Georgia was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was six. She met with our ambassador, Georgie Gardner, to talk about how Georgia’s cancer diagnosis has impacted their whole family.
Leanne and Georgia
Leanne’s daughter Georgia was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was six. She met with our ambassador, Georgie Gardner, to talk about how Georgia’s cancer diagnosis has impacted their whole family.
Bella, Tosh and Vanie
“In March 2014, our family was thrown onto the oncology rollercoaster when 4-year-old Bella, was diagnosed with cancer. “
Bella, Tosh and Vanie
“In March 2014, our family was thrown onto the oncology rollercoaster when 4-year-old Bella, was diagnosed with cancer. “
Nathan and Michael
“Be your child’s voice. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be afraid to stand up for them no matter how uncomfortable that may be for you.”
Nathan and Michael
“Be your child’s voice. Don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be afraid to stand up for them no matter how uncomfortable that may be for you.”
Hailey and Leah: Coping with cancer & COVID-19
“We went through a lot of emotional rollercoaster rides dealing with separation, confinement and isolation.”
Hailey and Leah: Coping with cancer & COVID-19
“We went through a lot of emotional rollercoaster rides dealing with separation, confinement and isolation.”
Conor and Sally
“I want my little boy back. I want to change what happened, but I do have to thank him for the lessons he taught me.”
Conor and Sally
“I want my little boy back. I want to change what happened, but I do have to thank him for the lessons he taught me.”
Josh: I didn’t realise what I was being like due to cancer
“The diagnosis was a very sad and stressful time for myself, my family, and all my close friends. I really didn’t know what to expect.”
Josh: I didn’t realise what I was being like due to cancer
“The diagnosis was a very sad and stressful time for myself, my family, and all my close friends. I really didn’t know what to expect.”
Hugh and Tess
“I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and felt as if I was drowning. That’s when I reached out to Redkite.”
Hugh and Tess
“I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and felt as if I was drowning. That’s when I reached out to Redkite.”
Nat, Maria and Belinda
“Cancer changes everything. It’s not until you live this journey that you can really understand this statement. “
Nat, Maria and Belinda
“Cancer changes everything. It’s not until you live this journey that you can really understand this statement. “
Trystan and Jodi
“Cancer is what took Trystan’s father away. I thought I was going to lose my son. I just thought: ‘He’s going to die.’ There were times when he came quite close to it.”
Trystan and Jodi
“Cancer is what took Trystan’s father away. I thought I was going to lose my son. I just thought: ‘He’s going to die.’ There were times when he came quite close to it.”
Harper, Eliza and Darren: Becoming a family facing cancer
“We were absolutely crushed, absolutely confused and angry at life for thinking that we were now ‘cancer people’.”
Harper, Eliza and Darren: Becoming a family facing cancer
“We were absolutely crushed, absolutely confused and angry at life for thinking that we were now ‘cancer people’.”
Tara: ‘I won’t let this stop me’
“My diagnosis hasn’t just affected me – it’s also had an extreme impact on my family.”
Tara: ‘I won’t let this stop me’
“My diagnosis hasn’t just affected me – it’s also had an extreme impact on my family.”
Bella and Ritchie: Caring for a child with cancer and Down syndrome
“When she got the diagnosis I was thinking: ‘How the hell could this be happening? She has got enough on her plate’.”
Bella and Ritchie: Caring for a child with cancer and Down syndrome
“When she got the diagnosis I was thinking: ‘How the hell could this be happening? She has got enough on her plate’.”
Izzy and Nic: The beads are her cancer story in colour
“Mother’s Day 2018 will be a day that I will never forget. My 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with AML – Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.”
Izzy and Nic: The beads are her cancer story in colour
“Mother’s Day 2018 will be a day that I will never forget. My 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with AML – Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.”
Brooke, Karl and Olivia
“The neurosurgeon walked into the room, looked me straight in the eye and said: ‘Your daughter has a brain tumour’.”
Brooke, Karl and Olivia
“The neurosurgeon walked into the room, looked me straight in the eye and said: ‘Your daughter has a brain tumour’.”
Henry and Bec
“I think one of the hardest parts of the diagnosis was hearing about the short and long-term effects of the chemotherapy and radiation.”
Henry and Bec
“I think one of the hardest parts of the diagnosis was hearing about the short and long-term effects of the chemotherapy and radiation.”
Harry and Ryan
“The most simple gestures often, I’ve found, no matter who it’s from, were the most helpful for us.”
Harry and Ryan
“The most simple gestures often, I’ve found, no matter who it’s from, were the most helpful for us.”
David, Kate and Margaret: Cancer impacts the whole family
“The further you get away from treatment, the more normal you start to feel, and that terrifies me.”
David, Kate and Margaret: Cancer impacts the whole family
“The further you get away from treatment, the more normal you start to feel, and that terrifies me.”
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