If you’re going on a monster hunt, you’ll want Mia on your team! In hospital, Mia loved heading out with the Captain Starlights to look for friendly monsters hiding in the wards.
These adventures were more than games of fun, they helped Mia to reconnect with her imagination and reminded her there could be happiness in the darkest times.
In 2024, two-year-old Mia became unwell. In a matter of weeks, she had stopped walking, talking and eating.
She was rushed to the children’s hospital where, tragically she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
Her mum Won and dad Justin said every aspect of the family’s lives changed overnight.
“From the moment we learned about the severity of neuroblastoma and its low survival rates among children’s cancers, we’ve been living with constant fear of the unknown and what the future may hold.”
Mia spent most of her 18-month long treatment in hospital, heartbreakingly separated from her twin sister Lily.
“What was once a normal family life has been replaced by ongoing medical care and emotional strain. We had to live apart for long periods which was especially difficult for the three months after her transplant when Lily was unable to visit Mia,” Won said.
Mia’s cancer treatment was aggressive, undergoing surgeries and months of painful procedures with harsh side effects – many that will be life-long.
“The hardest part for Mia was the sudden and overwhelming loss of her normal childhood,” her mum said. “At just two years old, she went from being an active and healthy child to being seriously unwell, with long isolating hospital stays.”
During her treatment, there were times when Mia was unable to move or speak, and she became withdrawn as she struggled to understand everything that was happening.
Throughout the hardest days of Mia’s treatment, Starlight helped bring moments of joy.
One of the highlights of Mia’s time in hospital was spending time with Captain Starlight. Mia would wait excitedly for their visits to the ward—she especially loved the hand puppets and singing along together.
The Captain Starlight’s visits gave Mia something to look forward to each day and created moments of fun and laughter that helped her cope with her gruelling treatment.
“The joy on her face in those moments was unforgettable. She was so excited, she’d almost jump out of her hospital bed! Starlight provided an important distraction from the pain and fear and created some normalcy during an otherwise challenging time.”
For Mia, hospital and treatment were difficult both physically and emotionally and Won says that play has been any important part of Mia’s journey.
“There would have been very few opportunities for Mia to play without Starlight. Play helps build trust and a sense of safety in hospital and reinforces that hospital isn’t all about fear, that it can be a place where she can feel secure and cared for. Over time, this contributes to emotional recovery and strengthens her ability to cope with ongoing challenges.”
One of Mia’s favourite play time activities was of course, going on a monster hunt with Captain Starlight!
Other children in the wards would sometimes join in the “hunt” which became a shared moment of imagination, connection and friendship.
“The monster hunts not only brought Mia joy but also encouraged her to walk more and rebuild her strength. In these moments, we were reminded that Mia could still feel happiness, and it gave our family the strength and courage to keep going each day.”
Mia has now completed her in-hospital treatment and is thankfully in remission. She is gradually recovering and is slowly returning to normal life.
Despite finishing treatment, Mia continues to face ongoing health challenges including daily medications and is re-learning how to eat after two years on a feeding tube. She has started at four-year-old kindergarten and is loving feeling like a kid again.
“We’re so proud of her strength and resilience. She’s getting stronger physically and can now take part in outdoor activities like riding a bike or going to the playground,” mum said.
Mia has ongoing check-ups in hospital and always asks if she can see Captain Starlight.
“It’s difficult to imagine Mia’s hospital experience without Starlight, as they played such an important role helping her through the most challenging times.” Mia’s mum said.
“Laughing and playing has a profound impact on the happiness and resilience of children going through hospitalisation and treatment. Without those moments of happiness and connection, Mia’s experience would have been far more isolating and distressing and the journey for our family would have been heavier and more difficult to endure.”
