Five-year-old Henry is fascinated by clocks and his nickname in the Starlight Express Room is 'Clockman!'
Sadly, hospital has consumed Henry's life since he was diagnosed with Stage 5 Nephroblastoma (Wilms Tumour kidney cancer) last year.
The shock diagnosis left the family devastated. The first sign that something was wrong was when Henry had a sore and bloated tummy.
"We never imagined cancer," his mum Jade said. "It's an insidious disease. One moment everything was fine and then it wasn't. We were overcome by fear."
Henry was admitted to hospital to start 12 weeks of chemotherapy before doctors could operate. He then endured a nine-hour lifesaving operation to remove the tumours and parts of his kidneys.
After his surgery, Henry underwent three weeks of radiotherapy with daily general anaesthetics, followed by 34 gruelling weeks of chemotherapy. The repeated painful procedures coupled with the side effects of nausea, vomiting and fatigue were very difficult for Henry.
To add to the family's distress, Henry was in hospital during one of Victoria's strictest lockdown periods. With two younger children, three-year-old Thomas and baby Samuel, to care for at home, Jade said she and dad Adam felt torn in two.
"The restrictions that allowed only one parent to visit at any one time made for a very difficult and lonely introduction to life as an oncology patient," she said.
Amid so much heartache, Starlight was there with the fun and laughter the family needed to cope with life in hospital.
"Starlight brings happiness and sparkle to an otherwise scary experience. They provide fun and distraction for kids which helps pave the way for better coping with treatment," Jade said.
Captain Starlight helped Henry feel more positive about hospital and he loved playing games and talking to them about all things clocks!
"Henry's explosion of confidence within the hospital setting is all thanks to the Captain Starlights. They're so fun, witty, kind and accepting and helped him feel at 'home' when he'd previously been very shy and timid," his mum said.
When restrictions eased and Henry was feeling well enough, he loved going to the Starlight Express Room. Knowing he could go and have fun with Captain Starlight gave him something to look forward on his toughest days.
Jade said, "Cancer treatment can be scary, painful, boring and make you feel sick. The Starlight Express Room provides a welcome distraction with the endless joy, craziness and creativity kids need."
She jokes that if Henry's not in his hospital room, the nurses know to find him in the Starlight Express Room!
"Starlight has been an absolute game-changer for Henry and our family making his entire cancer journey infinitely better. Words cannot accurately describe our gratitude. From the moment we arrive at hospital, Henry asks "Can we go to see Captain Starlight?" That says it all!" - Jade, Henry's mum
