I just thought: "Oh my God, what's happening?"
- Sara, Tyler’s mum
As Tyler was jumping on his bed, Sara noticed a lump the size of a 20 cent coin on his back. While her husband Craig and eldest son Caleb stayed in Cairns, Sara and Tyler flew to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane for tests.
Diagnosis
After endless scans and tests, Tyler was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma on his second birthday.
They said Tyler had cancer. Treatment needed to start straight away and would take nine to 12 months.
- Sara, Tyler’s mum
Treatment
Tyler's treatment started the very next day. Sara and Tyler flew to Brisbane where Tyler started aggressive chemotherapy. This was followed by a six-week course of radiotherapy to shrink the tumour.
Thirty per cent of childhood cancer survivors will develop one or more life-altering chronic health conditions as a result of their treatment, including infertility, heart defects, neurocognitive deficits, hearing or vision loss and even secondary cancers.
It’s awful to know that my special boy will live with side-effects for the rest of his life. But Tyler’s alive and I’m so grateful for that.
- Sara, Tyler’s mum
Preventing relapse
After the initial intense phase of treatment, Tyler received ongoing maintenance chemotherapy to ensure the tumour did not grow back. He was in treatment for a total of 11 months.
Right now, our researchers are working on something special – personalised medicine. Ultimately it will enable researchers and physicians to build treatment plans specifically tailored to match the biology of the child and their cancer, while minimising the long-term effects of treatment.
My ward is full of childhood cancer patients suffering side-effects. We need to improve the quality of life for survivors.
- Professor Glenn Marshall AM
Tyler today
Tyler can now ride a bike, swim and cast his fishing rod – but his bait is never in the water long enough to catch a fish as he keeps winding it in so he can cast again! He collects the eggs laid by his pet chooks himself every day.
On 14 February 2018, Tyler reached 7 years since his last day of treatment.
Thank you to all the donors. Your continued support allows for much-needed research to one day provide better treatments for our kids.
- Sarah, Tyler's mum
How you can help
Give a gift
By giving a gift today, you can make a difference to the lives of children with cancer.
Fundraising and events
Get involved in one of our events or create your own to help find better, safer treatments for children with cancer.
Partnerships
Join our diverse community of businesses, philanthropists and gamechangers, determined to help cure childhood cancer.
Share your story
Have you been touched by childhood cancer and would like to share your story? Please get in touch today.
