Meet Ted, the brave warrior whose smile lights up any room and giggle echoes through the oncology ward of Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick (SCH). For his parents, sister, nurses and doctors who held his little hand through 15 challenging months of treatment, his laughter fills them with hope.

In early July 2023, Ted celebrated his second birthday like any child should – devouring four plates of lasagna, singing ‘happy birthday’ and blowing out candles surrounded by family and friends. His party was a day to remember and for his parents, Anna and Simon, it’s a special memory they cherish of life before cancer.

“We often forget about our life before Ted’s diagnosis. Before our lives changed forever,” recalls Anna.

Mere weeks after Ted’s party, everything spiraled. Ted suddenly lost his sparkle and a call to healthcare direct confirmed Anna’s fears - something was wrong, and he needed urgent medical attention.

Anna and Simon walked through the sliding doors of SCH’s emergency department expecting a short stay. Instead, they left with the devastating diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.

Leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children, with the survival rate for ALL being 90%. Unfortunately for Ted, genetic testing confirmed he had a rare type of cell deletion meaning his body would need a different course of treatment and his chances of relapse are higher.

For Anna and Simon, the news devastated their whole family. A cancer diagnosis meant not only was their little boy fighting for his life, but all their future plans and dreams were instantly halted.

Suddenly, Anna had to leave work to be by her son’s side. It was a decision she made in a heartbeat, although one that meant she lost her sense of self for a while too.

Anna shares, “Ted was always my priority but stepping up as his primary caregiver again after just returning to work almost full time was really hard. I loved work and the independence it brings too.’’

Cancer stole lots of precious moments from the family. Days spent swimming in the pool, celebrating Adelaide, Ted sister's preschool graduation and the chance for Ted to express the ‘’terrible twos.’’ The reality was Ted was too tired and sick to enjoy the mischief of childhood.

It took an army of people from doctors to nurses, child life therapists and even Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) donors to get little Ted through treatment.

Thankfully, Ted was enrolled in a game-changing clinical trial that's proudly supported by SCHF. The generosity of SCHF donors helped Ted access this type of treatment, proven to be less toxic and more effective in patients.  

Dr Luciano Dalla Pozza, Director of the Cancer Centre for Children says, ‘’ SCHF supported our efforts to participate in a world-leading trial that has led to substantial decrease in the toxicity of treatment, less admissions to hospital, less infections, less use of antibiotics and less transfusions.’

This is just one way SCHF supported oncology across Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network last financial year. Over 12 months, SCHF donors raised an extraordinary $6.3 million to support specialist cancer care, research and clinical trials that helped deliver better outcomes for kids diagnosed with cancer, just like Ted.

Today, Anna is sharing her family’s story to encourage others to join SCHF’s annual Walk for Kids with Cancer on Sunday 23 March 2025.

Taking place between Sydney CBD to Middle Head (10km) and Balgowlah Heights (24km), the scenic journey will continue to support the two oncology departments across SCHN.

“We are so grateful for the hospital and SCHF for helping Ted get through treatment. We still have a long journey ahead of us but thanks to the extraordinary care we’ve received, Ted is now at home and just had his central line – or ‘noodles’ as he calls it – taken out,’’ said Anna.

No child should ever go through cancer but those who do deserve our all. Register for Walk for Kids with Cancer to help change the future for patients like Ted.