On what should have been her first day of high school, Samara was in hospital fighting for her life after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
The diagnosis left the family numb.
"You see stories on TV about kids getting cancer but you never dream it will happen to yours. I kept asking myself, how did this happen, why did this happen? I was in a state of disbelief," mum Anita said.
While grappling with so much fear and sadness, the family were hit with more tragedy.
Just three weeks into her treatment, Samara got an infection and went into septic shock. She was on life support for two weeks and in intensive care for a month.
As a result of the infection, Samara's kidneys shut down and she will need a kidney transplant in future. She also had swelling on her brain due to high blood pressure and went into heart failure. Doctors had to remove her gall bladder during treatment and her liver was also affected. All up, Samara had 170 blood transfusions in seven months and had to learn to walk again twice.
"She's a kid that's meant to be here," her mum said. "We were told on three different occasions that she might not come home with us but she fought against the odds."
Samara is close with her brothers Bailey and Jaxson. Being apart for months on end was so heartbreaking that the family moved into temporary accommodation to be near the hospital and stay together.
Learning to walk again
Samara with her family
While Samara's world was consumed by hospital, Starlight helped bring some fun and happiness back into her life. When she was well enough, she visited the Starlight Express Room for games and performances, and she especially loved meeting VIP guests. And from her hospital bed, she enjoyed taking part in the daily quiz on Starlight TV.
"When you're in hospital, all the days meld into one and there's no routine or sense of normality. Starlight helps break up the day with something to look forward to," her mum said.
Hospital and treatment meant Samara missed her friends terribly and she missed important milestone events like her year six camp.
"Samara is an outgoing, honest and beautiful soul. Like lots of teen girls, her friends mean the world to her. It was a struggle for her to miss out on so much," her mum said.
While her friends enjoyed their summer holidays together, Samara endured long, lonely days in hospital.
"For Samara, spending New Year's Day in hospital was almost as bad as spending Christmas in hospital. It was a terrible start to her year. She could see her friends doing fun summer things and she felt a sense of loss. It’s time she can’t get back."
After so much heartache, Samara received an incredible gift of happiness when she was granted her Starlight Wish.
Having sadly lost their beloved English Staffy - a dog that had been by Samara's side most of her life - she decided on a puppy for her wish. Samara researched the perfect breed and decided on a French bulldog called Coco Chanel.
Samara with her new puppy, Coco Chanel
Thankfully, Samara is now in remission, but Anita said the future is uncertain. While Samara faces ongoing tests, medication and hospital appointments, she has Coco by her side every step of the way.
Anita is so thankful to Starlight supporters and has this special message for them:
"Before Samara was diagnosed, I had no idea what a difference Starlight makes to families going through the toughest times. We just can't thank you enough."
