
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.

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.
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.

Queensland mother of two, Melanie, shares her story of loss and grief and what life is like now for her and her two daughters.
Queensland mother of two, Melanie, shares her story of loss and grief and what life is like now for her and her two daughters.

After doctors found a tumour behind his right ear, Nathan’s six-year-old son Ollie was diagnosed with brain cancer.
After doctors found a tumour behind his right ear, Nathan’s six-year-old son Ollie was diagnosed with brain 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.”`
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.”`

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.
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.

“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.”
“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 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 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 tells us about Jackson’s diagnosis, how they were separated from their family for treatment and what that meant for their family Christmas.
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’s son Riley was diagnosed with leaukemia when he was seven years old. Shortly after the diagnosis, Tammy’s husband suddenly died.
Tammy’s son Riley was diagnosed with leaukemia when he was seven years old. Shortly after the diagnosis, Tammy’s husband suddenly died.

Trish shares her bereavement journey and the new traditions her family has created to keep Tom’s memory alive.
Trish shares her bereavement journey and the new traditions her family has created to keep Tom’s memory alive.

Teena tells us about Chelsea’s diagnosis and how learning to accept help from her support team made all the difference.
Teena tells us about Chelsea’s diagnosis and how learning to accept help from her support team made all the difference.

After being diagnosed with childhood cancer at only 5 weeks old, Peter and Jennifer Northey share how Eli is going three years later.
After being diagnosed with childhood cancer at only 5 weeks old, Peter and Jennifer Northey share how Eli is going three years later.

Angela became an expert at juggling when her son was diagnosed with cancer 48 hours before she gave birth.
Angela became an expert at juggling when her son was diagnosed with cancer 48 hours before she gave birth.

Kathie and her family have found ways to include Annabelle and her memory with new Christmas traditions.
Kathie and her family have found ways to include Annabelle and her memory with new Christmas traditions.

19-month-old Mikaela had her first Christmas in Australia while in the middle of her treatment for liver cancer.
19-month-old Mikaela had her first Christmas in Australia while in the middle of her treatment for liver cancer.

Meredith searched for answers for six months until her son was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Meredith searched for answers for six months until her son was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

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.
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.

Every day is a different juggle for the busy Silveira family as they deal with Dakoda’s treatment.
Every day is a different juggle for the busy Silveira family as they deal with Dakoda’s treatment.

When Gillian and her family moved to Australia they hoped for a ‘better life’. Cancer disrupted that.
When Gillian and her family moved to Australia they hoped for a ‘better life’. Cancer disrupted that.

Teah is 17 and starting her life all over again because cancer has disrupted everything.
Teah is 17 and starting her life all over again because cancer has disrupted everything.

Our time enjoying life as new parents abruptly ended when Vinny was admitted to hospital at two months old.
Our time enjoying life as new parents abruptly ended when Vinny was admitted to hospital at two months old.

Hear from Tara about the two turning points in her life: when she first found out she had cancer and when it came back.
Hear from Tara about the two turning points in her life: when she first found out she had cancer and when it came back.

Redkite helped Jane’s family during her treatment. Now her father’s art has helped others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Redkite helped Jane’s family during her treatment. Now her father’s art has helped others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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’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.

“In March 2014, our family was thrown onto the oncology rollercoaster when 4-year-old Bella, was diagnosed with cancer. “
“In March 2014, our family was thrown onto the oncology rollercoaster when 4-year-old Bella, was diagnosed with cancer. “

“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.”
“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.”

“We went through a lot of emotional rollercoaster rides dealing with separation, confinement and isolation.”
“We went through a lot of emotional rollercoaster rides dealing with separation, confinement and isolation.”

“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.”
“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.”

“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.”
“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.”

“I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and felt as if I was drowning. That’s when I reached out to Redkite.”
“I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and felt as if I was drowning. That’s when I reached out to Redkite.”

“Cancer changes everything. It’s not until you live this journey that you can really understand this statement. “
“Cancer changes everything. It’s not until you live this journey that you can really understand this statement. “

“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.”
“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.”

“We were absolutely crushed, absolutely confused and angry at life for thinking that we were now ‘cancer people’.”
“We were absolutely crushed, absolutely confused and angry at life for thinking that we were now ‘cancer people’.”

“My diagnosis hasn’t just affected me – it’s also had an extreme impact on my family.”
“My diagnosis hasn’t just affected me – it’s also had an extreme impact on my family.”

“When she got the diagnosis I was thinking: ‘How the hell could this be happening? She has got enough on her plate’.”
“When she got the diagnosis I was thinking: ‘How the hell could this be happening? She has got enough on her plate’.”

“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.”
“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.”

“The neurosurgeon walked into the room, looked me straight in the eye and said: ‘Your daughter has a brain tumour’.”
“The neurosurgeon walked into the room, looked me straight in the eye and said: ‘Your daughter has a brain tumour’.”

“I think one of the hardest parts of the diagnosis was hearing about the short and long-term effects of the chemotherapy and radiation.”
“I think one of the hardest parts of the diagnosis was hearing about the short and long-term effects of the chemotherapy and radiation.”

“The most simple gestures often, I’ve found, no matter who it’s from, were the most helpful for us.”
“The most simple gestures often, I’ve found, no matter who it’s from, were the most helpful for us.”

“The further you get away from treatment, the more normal you start to feel, and that terrifies me.”
“The further you get away from treatment, the more normal you start to feel, and that terrifies me.”
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