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Child Cancer News

Many thanks to all those who have and who continue to support us in helping children with cancer and their families. 
 
We'll be out collecting again on the "Beads of Courage" appeal day - 25th March 2011.

You can make donations to any Professionals office at any time.  You can also go to the Foundation's Online Shop to see the range of products you can purchase as a supporter.

 
The 2011 Child Cancer Foundation Appeal is fronted by Joyce Singh, Emma Watson and Dequarn Harrison.
Joyce Singh, Emma Watson and Dequarn Harrison 

They represent all New Zealand children with cancer and are helping to raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation by appearing in advertising and media coverage.

 
Emma's Fight Against the Odds
 
Three-year-old Emma Watson loves playing with her dolls, watching cartoons, doing puzzles and having tea parties and playing with her unicorn collection. However Emma has experienced more challenges in her life than most kids of her age would have faced including cardiac arrest and organ failure.

On January 19th 2010 Emma was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, ten days after her parents wedding. Emma's mother, Joanne Watson, took Emma to the doctor when they noticed a "meningococcal-looking rash" on her face. Emma was later admitted to hospital with what was initially thought to be asthma. It was in hospital that Emma's family was presented with a diagnosis they were not expecting, their daughter had leukaemia.

Since the beginning of her treatment Emma, who lives in Taranaki, had been categorised as "high risk" and in addition to chemotherapy she has had cranial radiation. Emma's battle with cancer was intensified when she caught a superbug whilst having chemotherapy.  "The pseudomonas bug was the first ever to be resistant to the known antibiotic that normally would fight it," says Joanne. Emma battled two cardiac arrests, multiple organ failure and was on life support for 15 days. She was due to feature on the Foundation's 'funrazor' promotional images in November 2010, however due to her critical state of health after the photoshoot the decision was made to withdraw the photos.  "No-one, no doctors or nurses believed she could survive, but she did. Neurological damage was to be expected but three months later Emma is as bright and talkative as ever!" says Joanne.

Emma has received 1796 Beads of Courage. "Three glass beads are very special to Emma – a red rose bead she received for having a candle lit at Westminster Abbey in London, a yellow flower bead for coming off the ventilator and a Blue swirl bead for finally getting out of a 90 day stay in hospital," says Joanne.

Emma's miraculous recovery hasn't come without complications. She has developed deep vein thrombosis in her right leg and blood clots in her jugular. As a result, Emma is injected with an anti-coagulant twice a day. The brave three year old has 282 beads for the injections and finger pricks she has received so far! Another complication was Emma’s loss of mobility. However with regular physiotherapy sessions at Starship, Emma is beginning to walk again. Emma is currently on maintenance treatment, although due to the "delicate state" of her veins she returns to Starship for intravenous chemotherapy once a month instead of every three months.

Despite the challenging journey and complications Emma has faced, Joanne comments that it hasn’t affected Emma's personality. "Emma is very mature for her age; she has a very good sense of humour and an even bigger imagination!"
 

Dequarn – smiling his way back to health

When you ask Dequarn Harrison what his favourite toys are, he responds with an unusual answer -  his "doctors bag." His reply is almost certainly a reflection of the journey the brave South Auckland six year old has been on since he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2009.

Dequarn's mother, Wai Harrison, took him to their local doctor after she noticed he was bruising easily and "red spots" were appearing on his body. Their doctor referred Dequarn to Middlemore hospital for further testing. Initially the doctors thought Dequarn had meningitis; however when the results came through the doctor told the family there was good news and bad news. The good news was that Dequarn didn't have meningitis. The bad news was that Dequarn had leukaemia.

"It was the most shocking day of my life. It was devastating news, I burst into tears," says Putti, Dequarn’s grandmother. Dequarn's grandfather Terry was also shocked and rushed to the hospital to be with Dequarn. "When we got to the hospital Dequarn had all these hoses coming out of him and was puffed up like a little cherry, but he still smiled when he saw us." After diagnosis Dequarn began treatment and it has not been an easy journey for him. Side effects of his treatment have at times caused muscle problems making walking challenging.
 
Hair loss, a side effect of chemotherapy, was an unusually devastating for Dequarn and his family. Dequarn has Maori and Cook Island heritage and as part of the Cook Island culture children will not have their hair cut until the family have a hair-cutting ceremony. Prior to being diagnosed, Dequarn had long, curly hair which he wore in a plait. He had never had his hair cut. After his hair started to fall out the family made the difficult decision to cut it short. "It was heartbreaking to watch him lose all his beautiful hair," says Putti. Dequarn's hair is now starting to grow back and the family couldn't be happier. "I got a big thrill in seeing his hair growing," says Putti. It is fitting that Dequarn's favourite bead is the one he received for hair loss, which has an image of a face with curly hair.

Dequarn is now on maintenance treatment and has collected 625 Beads of Courage throughout his journey.

Feeling more and more like his usual cheerful self, Dequarn’s family recently received the positive news from his doctor that he can attend school this year. His family is proud of the courage he has shown throughout his journey and the medical terminology he has picked up.  "He could be a doctor himself now," comments Terry.

 
Joyce the Role model
Joyce Singh is a natural in front of the camera. Smiling confidently throughout our Appeal photo-shoot, the bubbly eight - year-old aspires to be a professional model. However there was a time in her life where her smile was not so radiant.

In November 2009, Joyce, who lives in Pukekohe was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Joyce's father, Rovin Singh, said they noticed something was wrong with their daughter when she was having a constant pain in her ear and a noticeably swollen stomach. Joyce's mother, Tarusila Singh, took her to the doctor who then referred Joyce to Middlemore hospital for further blood tests. Later that night Rovin and Tarusila received a phone call from the hospital advising them to bring Joyce in immediately. Upon arrival at Middlemore hospital doctors met with Joyce's family and informed them of the test results. "When I heard leukaemia was a type of cancer I cried and cried…I was so shocked…we thought we were going to lose our daughter," says Tarusila. Doctors explained to the family that treatment was available and referred Joyce to Starship.

Joyce commenced treatment which included chemotherapy and injections. Prior to being diagnosed, Joyce had long hair which she loved to wear in different ways she styled herself. Shortly after starting chemotherapy, Tarusila noticed that a clump of Joyce's hair had fallen out when she was washing her hair. Both mother and daughter were very upset by what they saw and the days following this, Joyce would wake up to find her pillow covered with her hair. Joyce had seen an episode of America’s Next Top Model, her favourite television show, where one of the models had her hair shaved off. Joyce commented to her mum "I can still be a model even with no hair." Later that day Tarusila agreed to do the unthinkable and shave off the rest of Joyce's hair.

Having collected 900 Beads of Courage for every treatment and procedure she has endured, Joyce says her favourite beads are those which she has received from having injections as each one has  given her more confidence. Joyce is currently having maintenance treatment and her family is grateful for the support they have received along their journey. "The staff at Starship are so good, and together with the Child Cancer Foundation, they have had a major part in supporting my family in everyway. With all this help I can see Joyce is recovering very well," says Rovin. The family commented that Joyce's grandparents have also been very supportive, along with members from their Christian Family Centre in Pukekohe. Joyce is looking forward to starting school again and will be in Year four at Valley School.

Despite the challenging journey throughout her treatment, Joyce and her family are able to see a positive side. "Joyce has two younger sisters, Esther and Shilo, and knowing what their big sister has gone through has brought the sisters closer together," says Rovin.

The courage she has shown throughout her treatment is admirable and many of her family members look up to her. Tarusila says, "through Joyce we have learnt that we can really tackle the hard times no matter what they are. Hard times will come by but we won’t give up." It seems that Joyce is not only a model but also a role model to those around her.

If you wish to donate:

  • visit the Child Cancer Foundation website
  • call 0900 4 child (0900 42 445)
    to make a $20 donation that's automatically charged to your phone account.
    Please check with the account holder first.
  • txt   the word 'BEAD' to 206 to automatically donate $3 from your mobile phone account or prepaid card.