In March 2022, 15-year-old Tye’rone (Tye) was diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma, an extremely rare brain tumour.

Tye’s mum, Kellee, spent an agonising three years taking her son to doctors and specialists, knowing something was wrong with her child but not getting any answers. Tye was always a tall, broad child but Kellee noticed that he wasn’t going through puberty.

“I just kept banging on the doors, doctor after doctor, and said I’m not leaving here until you listen to me because something is wrong with my child.”

The day the phone call came is stuck in Kellee’s head forever.

“I picked the phone up and she said ‘Kellee, are you sitting down?’. And she said he has a brain tumour.”

Living in Central Queensland, Kellee and Tye had to drive seven hours south to Queensland Children’s Hospital for Tye’s treatment, in Brisbane. Originally, Kellee was told Tye would be in hospital for five days after his brain surgery to remove the tumour. They were in hospital for two months.

Kellee had to leave full-time work to care for Tye, using up all her sick and annual leave in a month. For the next six months, Kellee had no income.

“I had to give up my well-paying job to become his full-time carer. It was scary not knowing where our next meal was coming from or how I was going to keep a roof over our heads.”

Redkite supported Kellee and Tye with fuel and food vouchers, as well as other financial assistance measures that helped the family stay afloat while Tye remained in hospital.

Kellee was devastated to hear that Tye’s cancer diagnosis might keep him off the footy field indefinitely. After multiple surgeries and being told he might never play footy again, Tye has developed a passion for music.

“Tye has always loved music, but since returning from our four weeks in the hospital, it has been his saviour. He’s so gifted, he can play by ear.”

“Tye was faced with many health challenges, but it was his discipline and perseverance to succeed was what kept him going.

“I am already Tye’s biggest supporter, cheering him on. I will always do whatever I need to help him achieve his goals.”

“It’s hard for Tye to accept his new reality but music has really helped. NRL will always be a goal but now, playing instruments helps him process those big emotions in a healthy way.”