Right now, where you live can affect a huge part of your blood cancer journey. A tax-deductible donation before June 30 will help give regional families like Ollie’s the additional support they need to face the challenges of blood cancer.
An active North Queensland boy, 12-year-old Ollie lives with his family in beautiful Mount Isa.
Hayley, Ollie’s mum says, “It’s a million miles away from everywhere, but I think it’s the remoteness that we actually adore.”
Packing in as much as he could every day, Ollie would always be camping, fishing, playing golf or kicking the footy with his mates at school. But when Ollie started his final year of primary school, his parents noticed he was “a bit flat” – even withdrawing from playing his favourite sports. They realised something was wrong.
A visit to the doctor and a blood test changed everything.
We heard the words ‘blood cell counts’ and ‘blasts’ and things like that. We had no idea what they were talking about,” says Hayley. “It was so scary.
Ollie and his parents were told they had to fly to Brisbane immediately. Soon after they arrived, they received Ollie’s diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.
The days that followed were a whirlwind.
Ollie was admitted to the Queensland Children’s Hospital as soon as we got there,” says Hayley. “Treatment started that afternoon.”
“The treatment was horrendous for him, but his attitude was basically, we’ve got to get the job done. Because he just wanted to come home.
It was the beginning of 10 long months away from home for Ollie and a journey that pushed the whole family to their limits.
During that time, Ollie missed out on his last year of primary school and could barely handle being away from his favourite four-legged friend.
Oh my goodness, he loves his dog, Millie. He missed her so much, he missed his mates, he missed his home,” says Hayley. “Going from a small country town to that big city … he missed everything that was familiar to him.
As Ollie underwent his treatment, spending time in and out of the hospital, his dad, Adam, had to return home to Mount Isa for work and care for Ollie’s older sister, Ella. Sadly, the family were separated for months at a time.
But, thanks to generous people who give a tax-deductible donation to the Leukaemia Foundation, Ollie and his family had a safe place to stay near the hospital – a home away from home during their toughest days.
Ollie and Hayley stayed at one of Leukaemia Foundation’s Blood Cancer Centres located just five minutes from the children’s hospital.
Their bright, welcoming apartment at the centre became a haven, providing vital respite for them during their time in Brisbane.
We were super grateful to be at the Leukaemia Foundation accommodation,” says Hayley. “The apartment became our home.
The Blood Cancer Centre was a place for Ollie to be a kid again, to play video games and chat to his mates in Mount Isa. He even learned to play pool in the break room.
For Hayley, it was the caring emotional support of Sarah, one of the Leukaemia Foundation’s Healthcare Professionals, that was life-changing.
She was amazing. Sarah helped me understand that all the feelings I was having were normal,” says Hayley “And talking to the other people at the village too … I would often wander down just for a chat, to have some adult communication because it can be a very isolating time.
After being away for almost a year, Ollie and his mum Hayley returned back home in Mount Isa and Ollie was reunited with his beloved dog Millie. He’s now in a maintenance phase, has returned to school and is slowly reconnecting with the life he’d missed so much.
When it comes to blood cancer, where you live shouldn’t determine if you live. But in Australia right now, your postcode can affect every part of your blood cancer journey.
Regional families just like Ollie’s are travelling hundreds or even thousands of kilometres to get life-saving treatment in major cities. They have to live away from their homes, families and communities for many months.
It’s a postcode lottery, but together we can end it.
A tax-deductible donation before June 30 will help ensure regional families like Ollie’s have the holistic care and accommodation they need to face the challenges of blood cancer.
I don’t even have the words to say how grateful we are to the Leukaemia Foundation,” says Hayley.
“Because during our time of struggle and challenges, to know that their smiling faces are around, or to know that there’s a room, a kitchen with everything that you need, you can’t put that into words. So thank you.
Please consider a tax-deductible gift to the Leukaemia Foundation today.
