Children with cancer can really feel the cold this winter

As winter sets in, most Kiwis know the drill. Pop on a cosy jumper. Keep a cloth handy to wipe down the windows in the morning. And for those watching their budget – put another layer on before turning on the heat. 

Our beautiful country can be on the damp side – and so can the homes. 

For a child going through cancer treatment, staying warm isn’t just a matter of comfort. It’s critical in keeping them out of hospital, and well enough for their next round of treatment. 

While we all expect winter bugs to go around this season, those with a child with cancer see winter in a whole new way. A child on treatment has a lowered immune system. It means their next sniffle could spell a trip to hospital. Winter brings a whole new fear: How do I keep my child warm, dry and safe in a damp New Zealand home? 

When a childhood cancer diagnosis strikes, most families need a parent to give up work to care for their sick child, and the financial pressure at winter can weigh heavily. 

Meet Tiffany. She’s raising four children all on her own. And if that wasn’t a big enough labour of love, her four-year-old son Tommy has been battling leukaemia for over two years now. It makes the world, and winter, look different.  

People don’t realise how vulnerable a child on chemo really is. They have no immunity. Anything they touch, they get. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve ended up in hospital because of viruses.

– Tiffany, Tommy’s mum

Just before Tommy turned two years old, he had fevers that Pamol wouldn’t budge. Then came cries of pain during nappy changes. Tiffany trusted her instincts and called an ambulance, despite everyone saying it would pass. That decision saved Tommy’s life, as his bone marrow turned out to be 90% cancerous.  

He had just days to live. 

Treatment has been long and gruelling. Then came a terrifying setback: a rare, life-threatening fungal infection in Tommy’s lungs. There was no standard treatment, and the odds were not in their favour. They had to pack their bags and leave home.  

Doctors admitted Tommy to paediatric ICU for specialised clinical care. For eight weeks, Tiffany and Tommy lived in the hospital. He received hours of anti-fungal medication each day, plus a potassium drip to protect his heart. 

It would be four weeks before they’d even know if the treatment was working. 

Finally, Tommy beat the infection. But going home wasn’t the relief you might expect.  

I had the worst anxiety about leaving the hospital. Everyone else can’t wait to go. But I didn’t want to because I knew Tommy was safe there.

– Tiffany 

No one knows where Tommy picked up the fungal infection, but home became a natural suspect. 

Tiffany cleaned constantly – scrubbing surfaces and wiping down windows. Even still, the house felt damp like a lot of New Zealand homes do.  

In a wet winter, it’s hard to keep moisture out. For a child with fragile lungs like Tommy, a damp environment can be dangerous. Even life-threatening. 

Tiffany had always been careful with the heat pump. Like many of us, she’d just add another layer of clothes before turning it on, to keep costs down. But that first winter facing childhood cancer, keeping the house warm and dry wasn’t about comfort. It was about keeping Tommy out of hospital.  

That’s where the generosity of fellow Kiwis comes in. Thanks to those who give to Child Cancer Foundation, we could give Tiffany a dehumidifier to help keep Tommy’s lungs safe. We could also help support her with power bills so she could keep the heat on without constant stress and worry.  

Emotional support was wrapped around them, too. With Janine, their Family Support Coordinator from Child Cancer Foundation, Tiffany and Tommy had someone with them every step of the way.  

There’ve been so many times I’ve felt overwhelmed, even before something happens. Like before starting a new chemo cycle. And Janine just says, ‘You’ve done this before. You got through it. You’ll get through it again.’ The way she says it makes you believe it. She helps you stay rational when everything feels out of control.

– Tiffany

Janine also gave Tiffany something powerful – a little glass gratitude jar. It seemed so simple, but turned out to be so much more. It was an important tool to keep her head above water.  

Every day, I’d write one thing I was thankful for. When I felt low, it helped me remember there’s still good in the middle of all this.

– Tiffany

Now, Tommy’s just turned four years old.  

He’s cheeky, outgoing and full of love for his big brother and sister. He just wants to go to kindy – to play and be like other kids.

But leukaemia is a marathon. Although he is nearly finished his treatment, it will take at least one more winter for his immune system to fully recover.

Tiffany is so grateful for being able to lean on Child Cancer Foundation in her darkest seasons.

It’s her words that say it best:

“The generosity of New Zealanders helping other New Zealanders in their most vulnerable time of need is what the Kiwi spirit is all about.”