Children's Stories
Every month in Australia, 86 kids are diagnosed with cancer, and sadly, 12 of these children won't survive.
For those who do, life is never the same again. Not only do they deal with the ever-present threat of the cancer returning, they also face the prospect of serious long-term health problems caused by the very treatment that saved their life.
This year, we have 9 amazing ambassador families who are taking part in 86K for a Cure to raise awareness and vital funds for cancer research. Read some of their stories below.
Register to show your support for these brave kids and their families, and help end childhood cancer once and for all, because every child deserves the chance to grow up, chase their dreams and fulfil their potential.
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Meet Harvey
When 5-year-old Harvey began having unexplained fevers, his mum Sallie was shocked to discover her little boy had cancer. Life would never be the same again.
Harvey was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) in 2020, and over the next 5 years endured high-risk treatment protocols including countless rounds of chemo, cranial radiation, and later a bone marrow transplant after suffering a relapse.
Harvey sadly suffered severe side effects during his cancer treatments, including life-threatening complications and extreme pain. Thankfully, he is doing much better now but still has a long way to go.
Raising funds to raising funds for vital childhood cancer research, will help Children’s Cancer Institute pioneer safer, more targeted treatments for children with cancer, and is the only way we can find a cure, once and for all.
This March, Harvey and his family are conquering 86K for a Cure right alongside you, to help prevent other families from going through what they've been through.
Introducing Emily
In 2024, Emily was a seemingly happy, healthy two-year-old, when scans revealed a tumour in her brain ‘the size of an avocado’.
Following immediate brain surgery, Emily was enrolled in the ZERO Childhood Cancer Program. Detailed analysis revealed that she had an extremely rare, aggressive form of brain tumour, and that most cases will recur in exactly the same spot. Armed with these insights, her doctors and parents made the brave decision to change her treatment plan and defer radiation to protect her brain development.
In April 2025, the tumour returned. Surgeons removed it again, and Emily recovered faster than anyone expected. With the risk reduced by her being a little older, she began proton radiation therapy in the U.S. on her third birthday.
Thankfully, Emily handled treatment exceptionally well, and is now in complete remission and is now back to being a joyful, active three-year-old!
When you take part in 86K for a Cure, your support will help fund research programs like ZERO, giving even children with the most aggressive cancers their best chance at life.
'For everything ZERO has done for our Emily – preserving her crucial brain development for those extra few months by giving her the correct diagnosis, we can’t thank you enough'
- Sarah, Emily's mum.
Henry's Story
Henry was a bright, loving little boy, adored by his family and especially close to his three sisters. In late 2022, when his mum Naomi noticed he looked unusually pale, she could never have imagined how quickly life would change. Blood tests led to an urgent hospital admission and devastating diagnosis: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Henry began intensive chemotherapy immediately. Like so many children with cancer, he endured months of harsh treatment with extraordinary bravery - losing his hair, spending long periods in hospital, and facing side effects no child should have to bear. Despite this, Henry continued to smile, returning home for Christmas and briefly resuming school, bringing hope to those around him.
Tragically however, in April 2023, Henry suffered a sudden and catastrophic reaction to a routine dose of Asparaginase chemotherapy. Blood clots formed throughout his body, overwhelming his organs. On 29 April, Henry passed away - not from his cancer, but from the toxic effects of the treatments designed to save his life.
Henry’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that while childhood cancer survival rates have improved, current treatments are intensive and dangerous. This is why continued investment in research is critical - to develop safer, more effective, and more targeted therapies that cure cancer in children without costing them their childhood, or their lives.
70% of children who do survive cancer go on to suffer long-term (sometimes life-long) health issues as a result of their treatment.
Henry's family have channelled their grief into advocacy, and are participating in 86K for a Cure to raise funds for vital cancer research and awareness, to help protect future children from suffering the same end to their story as their little boy.
‘I want to share his story so people know that today, in 2025, there should be safer treatments... What happened to Henry shouldn’t happen at all, let alone in this day and age. We’ve got to do better.’
- Naomi, Henry’s Mum
