Six-year-old Molly is a kind and gentle soul. As a little girl, she loves swimming, dancing and gymnastics, but more than anything, she loves the ocean. Molly is fascinated by marine life and is always keen to learn more about her favourite animals.
When she was 4 years old, Molly developed a persistent pain in her ankle. Parents Katrina and Mark took her to multiple doctors, and for a series of x-rays and scans, but no-one could determine the cause of her pain.
When doctors suggested some routine blood tests, Katrina and Mark never expected the results would turn their lives upside down.
Shockingly, Molly had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. She was sent straight to the nearest hospital where doctors broke the news.
“We were in complete shock. Mark and I both went numb,” Katrina said. “We never talked about the possibility that a sore ankle could be something as life threatening as cancer. I kept asking the doctors if they’d made a mistake.”
In an instant, the family’s life changed. Katrina, Mark and Molly were told to pack their bags as they were being transferred to the nearest children’s hospital, over five hours away.
Katrina will never forget the words she heard that day.
“The nurse said “You need to prepare for this to be the toughest time of your life. You need to pack, you’re not coming home for six months. They will get Molly though this, but you need to prepare yourself”.
The family was split in the beginning with Molly’s younger brother needing to stay with family until Mark and Katrina could find accommodation for their family to live in. Due to the pandemic the family were split in two at times with Mark staying home with Miller and travelling the five-hour distance to reunite the family whenever restrictions would allow.
Molly left her friends, family and hobbies behind and instead found herself adapting to the isolation, fear and pain of cancer treatment.
One of the worst side effects of Molly’s treatment was the depression she suffered, with Molly telling her mum, “Mum, my smile’s gone, and I can’t get it back”.
Katrina says they tried everything the help bring back Molly’s smile, but it was only when Captain Starlight came to visit that Molly began to respond.
“They just knew how to help her” says Katrina. “They got her to smile, they got her to laugh, and they got her out of bed”.
One of Mark’s favourite memories is of a day when he and Molly set off for a walk around the ward, to help strengthen Molly’s legs. Captain Starlight decided to join them, but in true Captain Starlight style, walked the whole way on his hands instead!!! Molly giggled the whole way, and quickly forgot about her pain and exhaustion.
“The impact the Captains had on Molly is immeasurable”, says Katrina. “Her face would light up if she heard their voices in the hall or saw a glimpse of their purple uniform.”
While she was going through chemotherapy, Molly found out she had been granted a Starlight Wish.
When it came time to decide, Molly’s kind soul was on show. Molly wished to travel to Heron Island to see baby turtles hatch and help them to the water.
Molly’s wish brought the family back together for a once in a lifetime experience filled with excitement and joy. The family enjoyed the much-needed time away from hospital, and were thankful for the opportunity to reconnect and relax, while doing something so incredibly special for Molly.
To those who support Starlight in bringing happiness to families like theirs, they have a special message.
"Thank you so much. Your support helped bring Molly’s smile back. During the worst possible time in our lives the Starlight foundation brought us joy, and they helped Molly heal emotionally."
