Ten-year-old Nia’s mum, Alice, remembers the day Nia was diagnosed with cancer as the hardest day of her family’s life.
“It was the worst day of our life, every time we remember it now, it still brings tears to our eyes.”
Nia was just five years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and her years-long hospital journey began.
Nia has had to spend weeks at a time in hospital receiving many rounds of painful and invasive treatment to fight her cancer, and today, continues with monthly visits to monitor her progress.
The ongoing travel placed a huge strain on Nia’s family, and eventually they made the difficult decision to relocate their family home closer to the hospital. In addition to the relocation, Nia’s mum Alice was also forced to leave work so she could care for Nia full-time, as well as younger daughter, Bella. Nia dearly missed going to school each day.
“It was like a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from”, says Alice of the impact of Nia’s illness on the whole family.
Hospital stays during lockdown were the hardest for Nia. With no friends or family able to visit during some of Nia’s hardest moments, it was up to Captain Starlight to save the day!
Alice says, “Captain Starlights were the most important supporters we had in hospital, especially during the peak of the pandemic...their daily visits were the highlight of Nia’s stay”.
If it wasn’t for the Captains, Alice believes it would have been very difficult to persuade Nia to stay in the hospital and to keep her calm throughout treatment.
When she was able to leave her ward, trips to the Starlight Express Room were also a hit with Nia! It’s not just the kids who benefit from the positive energy that fills the Starlight Express Rooms though, they’re a great space for parents to decompress as well.
“The Starlight Express Room makes me feel very warm. You know there’s always someone there who can help you cheer up your kids” says Alice.
When Nia sadly required admission over Christmas, it was Captain Starlight, who helped bring joy to Nia’s day. Alice says it even turned out to be one of Nia’s happiest Christmases thanks to a visit from the real Santa and his elf, and a large delivery of Christmas gifts all coordinated by Captain Starlight!
Thanks to Starlight’s supporters, Nia has been able to experience the happiness of childhood despite the pain and fear of her illness.
Five years into their journey, with an unexpected relapse sadly taking a further toll on Nia and her family, Alice is so thankful to those who generously support Starlight.
“To me, happiness is the most important medicine. It can help defeat illness,” says Alice. “Helping Starlight can save kids’ lives and make an impact on the future of the whole family”.
