CCRF Tax Appeal 2023

May 2023

Dear Foundation Supporter,

As a mother, it brings tears to my eyes to share my family’s traumatic battle with childhood cancer. The humble life my husband Dan and I lived with our three children Kaylee, Liam, and Kody on our farm in rural Western Australia was shattered into a million pieces in March 2022 when Liam, at just seven years old, was diagnosed with cancer. It felt like our world had been cruelly ripped apart.

Before Liam’s diagnosis, we were blissfully ignorant about the reality of childhood cancer. Gratefully, Liam is still alive today because of people like you who have generously given their time, resources, and hearts to support the research into childhood cancers. The advancements made in childhood cancer research has given Liam the chance to live the long life that all children deserve.

Around 1,000 children receive a devastating cancer diagnosis in Australia each year. Let us act now to show them that they are not alone in their fight.

It all started when Liam and I were experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms. Once the virus had passed, Liam complained about a persistent ache in his stomach that wouldn’t go away, not even with painkillers. Liam had never been the type of kid to complain about anything, so we thought it was something worth getting checked.

Our hope of finding answers was shattered when the doctors dismissed us with over-the-counter medications, saying it was likely a rumbling appendix from COVID-19.

Liam’s pain only intensified as the days went by and we knew we couldn’t just sit by and watch him suffer. So, Dan took him to a bigger hospital in a nearby town. When they arrived, Liam became quiet and withdrawn, as if his pain had taken away his voice.

With the help of generous people like you, the Child Cancer Research Foundation can continue funding the important research into childhood cancers, so that more children can live happy and healthy lives.

Concerned about Liam’s appendix, a young doctor began preparing him for blood tests and an ultrasound. But when the senior doctor came in, the likelihood of obtaining a diagnosis once again diminished. With a glance at Liam’s apparently healthy appearance, he brushed off our concerns.

We started second-guessing ourselves, with Dan and Liam sent home with nothing more than an ultrasound form and instructions to come back if Liam’s condition persisted throughout the weekend. Lo and behold, Liam wasn’t getting any better and we returned on the Monday, filled with worry and uncertainty.

During Liam’s ultrasound, the doctor stopped and recommended we go back to emergency for further tests. Fear took over and I couldn’t help but worry about what might be wrong with my little boy. The emergency doctor rushed to do blood tests and immediately hooked Liam up to intravenous antibiotics. At this stage, he thought it was a life-threatening infection and he told us he was ordering a flight to get Liam to Perth as soon as possible.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can ultimately lead to better outcomes for children battling cancer.

That night, we were flown to Perth Children’s Hospital and the doctors took us through to our own room, tending to Liam straightaway. The next day was a blur of anxiety as Liam underwent an MRI, CT scan, x-ray, and ultrasound.

I could barely function as I waited for the results. When the doctor came to tell me the news later that night, my world shattered. The words hit me like a tonne of bricks – Liam had Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a rare and highly aggressive cancer.

I just remember throwing my phone in disbelief. You hear of these stories happening and suddenly it was happening to us. We had no idea what was coming, no idea how hard it would be to watch our little Liam fight this cruel disease.

No family deserves to face the cruel reality of childhood cancer. By making a tax-deductible donation today, you can help the children of tomorrow live cancer-free.

The moment Dan met me at the hospital, the oncology doctor arrived, ready to discuss the devastating news with us. It was a lot to process but our first question was whether this cancer was curable. The answer was yes, but with a warning – the road ahead would be extremely difficult.
Liam underwent a biopsy, and it was clear that his cancer was advanced – Stage 3 with five tumours in his abdomen. The doctors told us that because the cancer is fast growing, the tumours could be as little as a few weeks old.

As helpless as we felt, we were not alone in this fight. Thanks to the research that had already been done into childhood cancers, the doctors knew the most effective way to treat Liam’s cancer – to hit it hard with chemotherapy and steroids.

While childhood cancer research has made significant strides in improving outcomes for children with cancer, there is still work to be done to ensure all children can achieve positive results.

Liam experienced kidney failure and spent a week in ICU before being transferred to the oncology ward, where we stayed for five long months. He received four rounds of intense chemotherapy. After the third round, Liam’s bowels became blocked, and he went five agonising weeks without food before he was finally well enough to undergo surgery.

Liam’s blood count was still very low, so the thought of him going into surgery was nerve-wracking. During the surgery, the doctors removed five centimetres of his bowel and sewed it back up. After four days of recovery, he began his final round of chemotherapy. Each round lasted one week, and he was given three weeks to recover in hospital. The recovery time was the hardest and he spent the whole time on intravenous pain relief. His once lively and energetic personality was replaced by a sick and sedated little boy.

Once his blood count started to come up, which normally took about two weeks, Liam would start to feel a bit better. Then he was hit with the next round a week later, having to go through it all over again. It was a long and hard road for Liam, but we are so thankful he had the chance to fight the disease. As horrible as it was to watch Liam go through treatment, it proved itself to be the best way to fight the cancer.

A childhood cancer diagnosis is not only difficult on the child diagnosed, but it also impacts the entire family. Help us ensure fewer families have to suffer by making a tax-deductible donation today.

The 21st of March was when Liam and I flew to Perth, and we didn’t go back home until the 1st of September. It was a gruelling battle that took a toll on all of us. Dan had to juggle work and our other two children every weekday. On Friday nights he would drive to Perth and I would take the kids off his hands, spending the weekend at Ronald McDonald House while he spent the weekend by Liam’s side.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to visit Liam as a family, with only one person allowed at his bedside at a time. We had to watch our son fight alone and it absolutely broke our hearts.

Liam’s siblings were affected in ways we never imagined. They missed out on precious time with their mum and dad that they will never get back. Seeing their brother battle cancer and watching their parents go through the most emotionally draining time of their lives was a traumatic experience that they shouldn’t have had to endure.

Our brave little fighter beat his cancer, but his health is still a constant worry. Liam needs to go to the hospital for regular check-ups, having blood tests and scans every three months. The chemotherapy has also left Liam with long-term health issues.

No child should have to endure the agony of cancer or the lifelong consequences of its treatment. Your gift will help give hope to future generations.

We are now dealing with the possibility of heart problems caused by one of the drugs used during Liam’s treatment. It’s scary to think that there is nothing they can do to prevent it, all they can do is monitor it. And if that’s not enough, Liam might also face fertility issues later in life.

Liam’s battle has forever changed our lives and the fear of his cancer returning haunts us every day. But we have learnt to appreciate every moment we have together because we know we are not promised tomorrow.

We are so grateful for the incredible researchers who dedicate their time and energy to finding better treatments for children with cancer. Without their hard work and dedication, Liam’s outcome would have been drastically different. But there is still so much work to be done.

Liam lost almost six months of his childhood while battling cancer, but some children lose so much more. Your gift can help scientists find better treatments that will give children the best chance of survival.

Australia’s high rate of childhood cancer is a harsh reality that we can’t ignore. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will help us see a future where children can live the long and fulfilling lives they deserve.

As the Child Cancer Research Foundation receives minimal government funding, they rely on the generosity of people like you to continue funding the vital research into childhood cancers.

If you have already made a gift to help children like Liam, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If not, will you please consider donating today?

Thank you,

Amy Devantier

P.S. Liam is alive today because of the ground-breaking research being done into childhood cancers. Your tax-deductible gift will help this research continue so that we can see a future free from the pain of childhood cancer.