Getting up onstage takes courage. And 10-year-old Alex has it in spades.
“Ever since he was little, Alex has loved acting and has a natural ability to make people laugh,” his mum Brittany said. “He’s thoughtful, kind and has resilience and maturity beyond his age.”
Over the last few years, Alex has shown extraordinary levels of resilience in the face of unimaginable hurdles.
When Alex was five, he started experiencing leg pain. The pain usually occurred at night and would resolve by morning, so his mum and dad Alister initially thought it was simply growing pains.
But when the pain became severe, and Alex was unable to bear weight, he was rushed to hospital for urgent tests which revealed a bone infection (osteomyelitis). He underwent surgery to remove two abscesses and six weeks of intravenous and oral antibiotics.
Despite the weeks of treatment, Alex's condition continued to worsen.
“We were so worried because the pain was spreading throughout his body, and he developed night sweats and fevers,” his mum said.
With no improvement in his condition, Alex was transferred to the children's hospital for further testing including bone marrow aspirates, X-rays, MRIs and CT scans.
Finally, after weeks of fear and uncertainty, Alex was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
He started intensive chemotherapy treatment the day he turned six.
Brittany said from that moment, every part of family life shifted.
“Suddenly our day-to-day routines looked very different as we needed to plan around hospital, treatments and managing all the side effects. It was also hard for our daughter Maddie to not have her brother at home, and social activities and hobbies largely stopped.”
Amid the fear and uncertainty of hospital and treatment, the family discovered Starlight.
Knowing the Captain Starlights were coming to the ward gave Alex something positive to look forward to and he loved joining in fun activities in the Starlight Express Room especially Friday Bingo.
“Starlight helped break up the routine of medical procedures and difficult days,” Alex’s mum said. “The Captains always brought a smile to Alex's face when no one else could, and seeing him happy, even for a short time, made a huge difference to us as parents.”
After two incredibly challenging years, Alex finished treatment on his eighth birthday and was looking forward to getting back to all the things he loved.
Sadly, his journey with leukaemia was not over.
“It was Christmas Eve when we received the phone call from Alex's oncologist confirming the devastating news that his leukaemia had relapsed,” Brittany said.
Just days later, the family relocated to Sydney for Alex to recommence treatment. Once again, Alex faced the pain of unrelenting rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy plus countless medical procedures, scans and surgeries.
Throughout those long months in hospital, Starlight was there ensuring Alex still had the chance to play, be creative and have fun with games like Nintendo and LEGO. Brittany said Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room helped transform even Alex’s hardest days.
“I remember when Alex was extremely unwell and during those difficult times, the Captains’ positivity had such a profound impact on his wellbeing. Starlight is about more than entertainment, it’s a source of comfort, hope and happiness for Alex and our whole family.”
Facing cancer treatment not once but twice, Alex has missed out on being at school with his friends, doing many of his favourite activities and has had to cope with long stretches isolated in hospital managing pain, fatigue and fear.
His mum says that despite everything, Alex continues to face each day with positivity and a ‘smile that inspires everyone around him.’
“We’re so proud of how Alex has handled the challenges he’s faced. I truly believe that moments of fun and happiness helped build Alex's amazing resilience. They gave him something positive to hold onto during the hardest times and reminded him that there was still joy to be found, even in the hospital.”
There was more joy and adventure waiting when Alex was granted his Starlight Wish. The beach is Alex’s happy place, so he chose Hamilton Island for his dream wish.
His mum said his wish gave him something exciting to focus on and look forward to after a difficult time.
“Alex's Starlight Wish meant so much more than just a holiday. After everything he’s been through, it was incredibly special as it gave him the opportunity to simply be a child and we could relax, reconnect and create memories we’ll treasure forever.”
While Alex is still undergoing intensive treatment, having Starlight in hospital will help him find moments of childhood happiness on his toughest days.
“It’s difficult to imagine Alex's hospital experience without Starlight. When so much felt uncertain, Starlight gave Alex reasons to smile, laugh, and simply enjoy being a child. Those moments are priceless, and we will always be grateful for the joy they brought to him when he needed it most,” Brittany said.
