Mum and daughter wear their heart on their sleeve with Child Cancer Foundation tattoos

Jordez was first diagnosed with a brain tumour at six months old, and due to multiple relapses, she and her family have received support from Child Cancer Foundation at several points throughout her life. She has just finished another round of treatment and will be travelling back home to Hawke’s Bay after spending over a month in Auckland.

Anthea got her tattoo of the Child Cancer Foundation logo when Jordez was just two years old, and Jordez followed in her mum’s footsteps by getting her own tattoo last year. Anthea’s sister and best friend also have matching tattoos!

17-year-old Jordez (left) and mum Anthea.

“Child Cancer Foundation have been a huge part of our lives for the past 17 years and have been a huge support,” says Anthea. “This is our way of showing how much their support means to us.”

“This way, they are always with us,” added Jordez.

Their family support coordinator, Shannyn Hansen, said she met Anthea and Jordez on her very first day working for Child Cancer Foundation, when Jordez was just three years old.

Shannyn’s first meeting with Jordez, which was published in their local Hastings community paper.

Shannyn has supported the whānau throughout the past 13 years while Jordez has been in and out of treatment. “I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow into an awesome young woman, navigating life and health challenges along the way,” she says.

It’s amazing to see how much Shannyn and Child Cancer Foundation’s support has meant to the family – immortalised forever through their gorgeous tattoos!