For Liam, when it comes to playing, the messier the better! His mum Michelle says he’s a ‘hands-on’ type of kid who loves Lego, Play-Doh, slime, trucks and diggers.
He also loves superheroes and has had to draw on some superpowers of his own having faced major health challenges since he was little.
As a bubbly two-year-old, Liam suddenly began to lose weight and turn away from his food. When Liam’s condition didn’t improve doctors told Michelle to take Liam straight to emergency.
“That's when I was told he had cancer,” Michelle said. “I was numb, I bawled my eyes out.”
Doctors diagnosed Liam with Neuroblastoma – a rare childhood cancer that affects the nerve tissue.
Michelle said she struggled to comprehend the shocking diagnosis.
“It just didn't seem right; that whole time was a blur. When it finally sank in, I started asking questions like, "Is he going to die?"
Michelle was on her own with Liam in the hospital for the next six weeks. As well as Liam, Michelle also had her daughter Sienna to care for. With visitor restrictions in place, it was heartbreaking for the family to be separated for long periods of time.
Liam underwent major surgeries to remove the tumours and endured extensive chemotherapy and stem cell treatment. Each new round of chemotherapy meant another four to five-week stay in hospital, and yet more time apart.
Hospital can be scary and often fills Liam with anxiety but thankfully Captain Starlight has helped make his time in hospital more manageable...and even fun!!
“Starlight has been amazing,” says mum Michelle. “Liam looks forward to seeing Captain Starlight and visiting the Starlight Express Room. It's his highlight of every hospital admission.”
In the Starlight Express Room, Liam enjoys getting messy with painting and slime. He loves to ride the little tricycles, play hide and seek and follow the Captains around. Michelle describes it as Liam’s “comfort zone” in the hospital. It’s also a fun place where Sienna can play when she visits Liam in hospital.
“Starlight takes the stress off me and gives me a breather. Suddenly Liam is stress-free, with not a care in the world. If he's happy, I'm happy and we can forget about what's happening around us,” she said.
When Liam is stuck on the ward, the Captain Starlights visit him with games and laughter distracting him on his hardest days, particularly during painful dressing changes.
Liam’s cancer is unrelenting - after being in remission twice, he sadly relapsed twice. He needed further courses of radiation and immunotherapy and since his second relapse, he’s now undergoing more chemotherapy.
Michelle says Liam, now five has spent "too much time" in hospital.
“Since being diagnosed three years ago, Liam has spent at least half of that time in hospital, and a lot of the remainder going to the hospital for treatment, scans and tests as an outpatient.”
It’s hard on Sienna seeing her brother so sick and Michelle is careful not to bring her to the hospital when Liam is very unwell, so as not to scare or worry her too much.
After so much pain and anguish, when Liam was granted his Starlight Wish it was the gift of happiness they all needed.
Liam wished for a family holiday to the Gold Coast to go to Movie World to meet all his favourite Superheroes! Knowing how much Sienna loves animals, he also wanted her to be able to go to Sea World and Australia Zoo.
“He’s such a caring little boy, it was so lovely for him to think of his sister when he was planning his wish,” Michelle said.
Preparing for his Starlight Wish helped distract Liam from treatment and Michelle said the happiness and excitement helped make hospital visits easier too - instead of going to the hospital and being scared Liam was excited to tell everyone about his holiday.
“We put a countdown calendar on the fridge and each morning Liam would excitedly tick off another box. And ask ‘how many more sleeps?‘” she said.
Liam’s wish gave the family a much-needed break from hospital and the chance to create happy new memories amid the ongoing fear and uncertainty they face.
Liam had been in remission prior to leaving for his Wish, but tragically on his return, test results showed that his cancer had returned.
“Liam’s wish meant everything to us because we don't know what's around the corner for us. It's like we wanted these memories more than anything. Liam still talks about his wish all the time and loves looking back at the photos of his superhero friends. A huge thank you to all the supporters who make it possible for Starlight to bring happiness to families like ours.”
