Milli and her family participated in Walk For Kids With Cancer this year as Team Bellicious. We had the pleasure of speaking to Milli about how her sister Bella’s cancer diagnosis has impacted her.

In celebration of National Sibling’s Day, we wanted to share Milli’s experience...

"I'm Milli, I'm 13 I love sports for example, gymnastics, dance, swimming, and netball. I really love the beach, shopping and hanging out with my friends and family. My sister is Bella, she is 16 and she has osteosarcoma (bone cancer) she likes hanging out with her friends, swiming, netball, camping, sleeping and food. 

My sister and I are quite close and we have a lot of things in common. Even though we are 3 years apart we still get along really well and even though we are sisters I think we're also best friends. 

Having a sister with cancer is hard and something no one would want to happen to them but I feel it has brought us closer at the same time, even though this journey has caused quite a bit of trouble I couldn't see life any other way.

When Bella was first diagnosed, I didn't quite know how to feel as I didn't quite know what to expect and how this was going to shape the future. Honestly, I wish Bella and I could switch places and I could take the pain away because it can be hard seeing her go through so much pain during treatment. 

I remember not long after the start of treatment Bella was getting quite upset at the fact she couldn't go to places like the movies so I decided to bring the movies to her by buying some soft drink, popcorn, cups and popcorn boxes and researching some movies for her to pick from. I made the movies come to her, it ended up being really fun."

"Being the sibling can be quite hard because people are always asking me 'How's Bella doing, is she okay?' and as much as I love that people care at the same time it's almost like what about me? I'm not Bella, talk to her about that stuff, I'm here let's talk about me.

With Bella going through treatment it's given me the attitude to give back and I have decided to become a social worker in the future and maybe even volunteer for other helping positions."

When kids end up in hospital, it's important to remember that their family's life is also turned upside down. This National Siblings Day we want to acknowledge all the siblings who stand by and support their sick and injured brothers and sisters. We see you. You are important. You are special. You are doing an amazing job being the sibling of a sick kid.

You might also like: