When I noticed that our granddaughter, Willows’, right eye was slightly bulging, nothing could prepare us for the diagnosis her mum (our daughter) and dad would receive.

At the tender age of 22 months Willow had Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma.

This very aggressive cancer begins in immature nerve cells in the adrenal glands and generally by the time it is found it has metastasised to multiple areas of the body, as was Willow’s case.

The next 18 months saw her little body endure 6 rounds of high dose chemo, 12 doses of radiation therapy, surgery, a bone marrow transplant and finally immunotherapy – not to mention the countless blood and platelet transfusions she needed to help her little body cope with the effects of the treatment. Throughout her treatment she remained (for the most part) our smiley, cheeky, happy little Willow.

She is the most resilient little soul I’ve ever known – her Aunty Penny used to comment that “ Willow was kicking cancers butt”. With treatment completed she has just celebrated her 6^th birthday and is in remission ( I say that very quietly, not wanting to jinx her ). She is healthy, well, meeting all her childhood milestones and was very excited to start ‘big school’ this year.

This cancer affects infants and is generally diagnosed at about the age of 2 years. It takes from us the highest number of our little ones under the age of five than any other cancer. Research and the funding of it, is key to changing the outlook of this devastating disease.

This is why our family will be supporting Neuroblastoma Australia at Runwest on 31.3.2019 and Run2cure on 2.6.2019.

Any donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to Neuroblastoma Australia

Thanks so much for your support!