A mum hugging her daughter on a hospital bed.

Supporter news

After months apart, Leah and Hailey are reunited with their family

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many people lives. But it raised further challenges for families with a child with cancer, especially for those like Leah and Hailey’s family, who were separated by the hard border that surrounded Melbourne.

Leah began this year with the news that her six-year-old daughter Hailey had acute myeloid leukaemia. Shortly after, Australia went into lockdown due to COVID-19.

Twins, Hailey and William, cuddling their baby brother.

Hailey needed urgent treatment which lead to her family being separated and spread out across the country. Hailey spent the next 100 days in a small hospital room, cut off from her twin brother, seven-month-old baby sister and dad.

Hailey suffered from the isolation. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t leave. She knew that she was sick but didn’t know the extent of it.

It would be 7 long months before Hailey got to see her twin, William, again.

Leah stayed with her little girl in the hospital, as only one parent could visit Hailey at any given time.

It’s heartbreaking to imagine how hard the experience was on Leah. She watched her little girl go through gruelling cancer treatment at the same time as being separated from her other two kids.

Emotional turmoil is constant for families like Hailey and Leah’s and emotional support and counselling is vital. It was the lifeline Leah needed during Hailey’s hospital stay. At a time when Leah felt so isolated, your care kept her connected and ensured she didn’t have to face her daughter’s cancer diagnosis alone.

The support was such a beautiful thing because you suddenly feel somebody is reaching out and saying, you’re not alone in this and we’re here for you.

Leah

After months apart, Hailey and Leah have now been reunited with the rest of their family. Hailey is back to her cheeky, happy self, fighting for the upper hand with her twin, William. Baby Rylee loves the energy and laughter of having her siblings around.

Thanks to donors like you, Leah and many other parents of children with cancer get the essential counselling and emotional support they need so they can remain strong for their children.

“Your mental health as a parent is so vital. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your kids. The fact that Redkite offers emotional support to families like mine is extremely comforting.” – Leah

Thank you for providing comfort and support to families when they need it the most.