The test of organisations is not how they perform during great or even good times. Instead, how they perform during particularly challenging ones. Whilst our collective ambitions at the start of 2020 saw us hoping to achieve more than has eventuated, we must be very proud to have achieved what we have.
Continue reading “2020 Little big steps annual report”
Sierra was like every other active kid, loved riding her bike, walking the dogs, camping, swimming, and gymnastics. All until a few weeks before she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Treatment for this type of Leukaemia involves 2.5 years of multiple cocktails of chemotherapy and high dose steroids. In the first 4 weeks of her treatment we watched her fit and active body morph into what looked like a 38 week pregnant lady in the frame of a 5 year old.
Continue reading “fresh air, a garden to explore, and grass to play on”
In June 2020 just one month short of her second birthday, and after 3 trips to emergency with what I thought was a nasty virus, Chloé was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My baby had cancer. My heart broke in 2 and I went into some sort of shock.
Continue reading “Chloé’s journey: One day at a time”
On the 20th of October 2008 our 2 year old daughter, Kali, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. This is news you, as a parent, never want to hear. After the initial shock of it all and realisation that her treatment was going to mean long, gruelling hospital stays, over many months, I quickly turned my attention to a life long passion of mine, physical activity/exercise. How was I going to keep a little unwell toddler entertained and active over such a long length of time under such tough conditions?
Continue reading ““Carpe Diem” Seize the Day”
The Little Big Steps charity idea was all sparked when co-founder Cass’ son Lochie was gifted a Garmin Vivofit Jnr for his birthday and it transformed his physical and mental wellbeing during cancer treatment almost overnight. By introducing a fun way to encourage physical activity and rewarding him for achieving these stepping goals, plus any chores he set, Lochie had the incentive to get moving again after being bed-bound for weeks.
Continue reading “GARMIN DONATE 50 VIVOFIT JNR 2 ACTIVITY TRACKERS TO LITTLE BIG STEPS”
Peter Mac’s Paediatric Film Production program transforms a child’s radiotherapy treatment (which can be daunting) into a magical adventure to make it a bit less scary. Kids can choose to be a superhero or select one of their interests (like music) as the basis for a film about their radiotherapy treatment.
Continue reading “SUPER LOCHIE AND THE RADIOTHERAPY MACHINE – ANOTHER PETER MAC MOVIE STAR!”
It wasn’t until we returned to our home environment, after Sienna’s 5 months of inpatient treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital, that we could see how much she had changed.
Continue reading “Princess Cancer”
The day I was told that our son has cancer is a day that will never be forgotten. For us, this day was Sunday 28th January 2018 at approximately 1pm. I remember the word “leukaemia” so clearly like it was only yesterday. It was that word said, almost 12 months ago that shattered the life we had previously known, never to be the same again.
Continue reading “The cruellest disease”
It’s hard to wrap my head around that this time last year we first heard the words: “Your daughter has leukaemia”. This one sentence changed the course of our lives forever and whenever I am back at the Royal Children’s Hospital and see that stunned look on so many newly diagnosed parents’ faces that weight in my chest that I felt at the time brings a heaviness to my heart.
Continue reading “The Strength It Takes To Step”
As we step in to another big round of treatment, we are again faced with the uncertainty of what the future holds.
Continue reading “Worry & Fear”