Meet Zack

Just a few months shy of his third birthday, Zack was in and out of the GP with what appeared to be a viral infection that just kept persisting.

Then blood tests confirmed every parent’s worst nightmare. It was leukaemia. 

“We found out his bone marrow count was 82% cancerous. Things had to move quickly after that test. We were absolutely shattered. Your whole life is turned upside down in a matter of seconds. Any parent would want to take it on themselves instead.” – Zack’s mum, Kim

If that wasn’t frightening enough, doctors said his leukaemia has a high risk of relapse. His treatment is long and intense.

Leukaemia moves fast. Within an hour of diagnosis, Zack had a blood transfusion. An ambulance then rushed him and Kim from Waikato to Starship Hospital in Auckland. 

They didn’t even have time to pack clothes.

Within 48 hours, Zack had chemotherapy injected into his spine. Then he had an allergic reaction to another chemo drug.

At one point, he had chemo 24/7, carrying it around in a small backpack.

He lost his appetite and dropped three kilograms. A nasogastric tube now helps him eat.  

And this still wasn’t the hardest part of his treatment. 

Earlier this year, just 9 months into his journey, Zack started the next phase of treatment. It’s the most intensive yet, and this time he lost all his hair. His little body battled COVID for more than a month while treatment hurts his immune system, making him more at risk.

No one knows what will happen next, and the family takes things one day at a time. 

Amongst all the uncertainty, Child Cancer Foundation is there. 

Allayne, Zack’s dad, finds the most relief in knowing Jess is just a phone call away.

Jess is their Family Support Coordinator at Child Cancer Foundation who walks alongside Zack’s family every step of the way. She is their lifeline, always ready to listen and help. 

When Jess first came to visit, after this first treatment, Zack flew out the door to greet her with a hug straight away. 

“Jess got right down on his level and asked him how he’s doing, spent time with him and got to know him. She is just so open and welcoming, which made Zack so comfortable. She’s been great and Zack loves her.” – Kim 

For Kim and her husband Allayne, it’s a comfort knowing there is always someone on hand as they face the unknown – someone whose role means they know what the childhood cancer journey is like.

Jess has been there from the start to listen to their needs, explain the help available and support them along their path.

Some practical help goes a long way, too. 

Countless trips back and forth to Waikato and Starship hospitals really make expenses climb. Kim needed to stop working, and the petrol vouchers Jess offered helped lift the financial burden.

“It all adds up at the end of the day,” Kim says. “It made a massive difference to know we could do those trips without having to wonder if we’d be able to pay for petrol.” 

Kim and Allayne have a wonderful community support network, but they know unless someone has gone through childhood cancer, it’s impossible to truly understand.   

That’s why Child Cancer Foundation is here.

“It’s a comfort to know someone is always there to provide support if we need. They’re very much aware of what you’re going through. A lot of people, thankfully, don’t know what having a child going through cancer is actually like. They’re taken aback by how intense things are, so they can’t really understand even if you explain. They see the physical thing, but they don’t understand what’s going on inside our heads.” – Allayne

“Even just the visits, the company, and seeing how we’re doing,” Kim adds. “Jess often checks in on us. It’s always good to know we have a connection to Child Cancer Foundation.”

Allayne says, “and it’s the knowledge that the support is there if we need it. If Zack took a turn for the worse, or we didn’t know what to expect or how to get through things.” 

A note from Kim, Zack’s mum

Dear friend I haven’t met, you hold a special place in my heart.

“Mum, you must be strong.”  

That’s what my boy Zack said, when we got his diagnosis.

I have such a vivid memory of it – the doctor telling us what it was. And I burst into tears.

Zack was in another room at the time. After about half  an hour, he came into the room I was in, with a nurse. 

I was still crying.  He put his hand on my hand and he said “mum, you must be strong.” And I sobbed even more as I held him.

That’s just what my boy is like!

From there we had to get into an ambulance to take us from Waikato to Starship, where Zack would get a lumbar puncture which included chemo into his spine. We didn’t even have time to get clothes.  

As a parent you wonder… he’s such a genuine, good boy. Why does this have to happen to him?

But he’s here and he’s a firecracker and he’s such a good kid with a great heart.

Zack is a fun-loving little boy who has made friends with almost every family and staff member on the ward. He loves making friends and meeting new people.    

We have had many good days as well as many bad days, and we know that we have a long road ahead still but Zack’s incredible smile helps us all get through it. He is one very resilient boy who bounces back despite any challenge he faces.

They say the first year of treatment is full on, which it has been. I obviously am not at work until he’s in maintenance phase. We celebrate the little accomplishments and goals that he reaches. He’s a bright kid – he really is.

There are so many wonderful people all over New Zealand. We’re just so grateful to have been touched by the kindness of all of you who care about families like ours. Without even knowing us, you just care.

Thank you!

Gratefully,

Kim