Jim and Lisa’s world was completely shattered when their newborn baby, Sam, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) at just twelve weeks old.
“Sam was our first child, and to learn he had cancer at such a young age was incredibly hard” recalls Lisa. “We didn’t know what the future held for our beautiful baby boy. It was like all our hopes and dreams for him had been smashed.”
Instead of settling in at home with their baby, the new family’s lives became consumed by hospital and treatment. With cancer present in both eyes, Sam would go on to endure years of painful and distressing treatments.
He had radiation, chemotherapy and radioactive plaques put into his eyes,” says Lisa of her little boy. Sadly, despite these treatments, the cancer in Sam’s left eye was too aggressive, and it had to be removed when Sam was just three years old.
For the next year and a half, Sam continued his grueling treatment regime as doctors attempted to save his remaining eye.
It was during this time the family came across the Starlight Express Room... and started what Jim affectionately describes as Sam’s “second phase of life”.
Jim and Lisa both clearly remember the moment they first entered the Starlight Express Room with Sam. “The minute we walked in the door” recalls Lisa, “that was it... It was just an amazing escape from reality”.
Sam loved spending time with Captain Starlight. Laughing and playing with the Captains was a wonderful distraction for Sam, and provided a great escape from the intensive testing and treatments he endured. For Jim and Lisa, the Starlight Express Room provided them the opportunity to have a break, and the chance to see their son come alive with joy.
“When Sam was diagnosed with cancer, we didn’t think there would be any moments like that,” says Lisa. “We didn’t think there would be any normality, or any joy or happiness, but the Starlight Express Room made a huge difference during some really dark periods of time.”
In fact, the Starlight Express Room played a major role for the family on what they describe as the darkest day of their lives.
“We tried everything to save Sam’s sight,” recalls Jim “but in the end it wasn’t to be”.
When Sam was four and a half, doctors advised Lisa and Jim that Sam’s cancer was not responding to treatment. They were told they needed to make the heartbreaking decision to remove Sam’s remaining eye, in order to save his life.
Sam’s last request before he permanently lost his sight was to visit the Starlight Express Room. So, on the day of his surgery, Sam’s whole family went along to visit Captain Starlight with Sam.
“When we walked in, we were all pretty down and depressed knowing what was going to happen that day” recalls Lisa. “But we were greeted at the door by Captain Starlight and before we knew it, everyone was dancing and joking around and laughing. It was great for Sam to see some happy faces, and to see his family smiling” she says.
Jim adds, “We still talk about it to this day, and we look back on it fondly, even though it was probably the most difficult day of our lives. It would have been a lot worse without the Captains that day”.
Since his second eye was removed, Sam has thankfully been cancer free, but his association with Starlight has continued throughout the years.
As Sam learned to live with his blindness, Captain Starlight remained by his side to help create much needed moments of happiness and connection for the growing family.
Now twenty, and an aspiring radio host and podcaster, Sam reflects fondly on his lifetime of memories with Starlight.
While he’s had many happy moments, a key highlight for Sam is his recent Starlight Wish.
As an avid train enthusiast, Sam’s Starlight Wish was to travel the incredible three-day journey through the heart of Australia on the legendary Ghan.
Travelling with his parents and younger siblings Mitchell and Caitlin, Sam describes the trip as “one of the best experiences of my life”.
“I never thought I would get to experience that,” says Sam “but with Starlight, anything is possible!”
Lisa and Jim are incredibly proud of the impressive and independent young man Sam has become.
With his inspirational attitude and zest for life, Sam is keen to be an advocate for young people with disabilities, encouraging others not to let their disadvantages define them.
And to those who support Starlight, our aspiring radio DJ has this to say:
“Stay tuned for the next chapter in my life story... and don't forget, Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of young Australians like me every single day.”
Way to go Sam!!
