Seven-year-old Luca is a cheeky, caring and loving young boy who loves video games, riding his bike and driving to the beach with Grandpa.
Two weeks shy of starting primary school, Luca suddenly became very unwell. He had a temperature, felt pain all over his body and his walking was affected. After a series of tests and blood work, the family was given a heartbreaking diagnosis - Luca had Leukaemia.
"I was shocked and scared," said Luca's Mum Carina. "My head was full of so many emotions. I couldn’t believe my baby had cancer."
The family was worried about what was to come, especially as Luca had lost his Grandmother to cancer two months earlier and his beloved dog Titan just months after Luca's diagnosis.
Instead of starting school, Luca was now in a hospital bed receiving intensive treatment. Adjusting to the sudden change in their family, Carina had to give up her work as an aged care nurse to look after him.
Hospital took a toll on Luca who struggled with his illness and missing out on starting school and making new friends.
Feeling down with all the procedures and treatments, Luca would only visit hospital if he was allowed to visit the Starlight Express Room until closing time.
"Hospital life has been very scary and uncertain for us all, but Luca knows Captain Starlight is there and will always welcome him with open arms no matter how he is feeling," said Carina.
"The Starlight Express Room has become such a positive space and safe haven for the whole family including our youngest son Louis who loves to join in on all the fun. It's made our visits to hospital that little bit more bearable."
When Luca had to spend two weeks on the ward in isolation, it was Captain Starlight who came to the rescue and entertained Luca at his bedroom door through the glass. The family is so thankful to Starlight supporters:
"Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. Without Starlight my child's hospital experience would be completely different. We couldn't imagine hospital without Starlight there."
