We love you Charlie
You continue to inspire us
We miss you immensely
We love you Charlie You continue to inspire us We miss you immensely
Our beloved Charlie
Charlie was initially diagnosed with stage 4 intermediate risk Neuroblastoma on the 6th August 2007 when she was only eight and half months old. Sadly Charlie lost her courageous battle with this relentless, insidious disease on 15th April 2015.
Charlie battled cancer for 7 years and 8 months, enduring 4 separate courses of treatment, first in 2007, then with each of her 3 relapses in 2011, 2013 and 2014. In total Charlie underwent 30 cycles of intravenous chemotherapy, 2 separate 14 day cycles of radiation therapy, 7 surgeries, 2 stem cell collections, a stem cell transplant and more blood tests, anaesthetics and full body scans than you would even care to count.
Having battled cancer most of her short life, living with cancer sadly became normal to Charlie, and she truly never understood the enormity of her battle. Charlie was a beautiful brave little girl, who loved the simple things in life; spending time with her family and friends, hugging and playing with her many pets, horse riding, and singing.
“As a family, we tried to make life as normal as possible for Charlie, but it was Charlie’s resilient and humble nature that allowed us to do this for her.” - says Melissa (Charlie’s Mother).
Charlie was loved by so many people, and inspired all who met her.
It was Charlie’s charitable heart that inspired the creation of Charlie’s Run for Kids… whilst battling cancer herself; Charlie wanted to raise money for art and craft supplies for other children battling cancer at John Hunter Children’s Hospital. After Charlie’s unfortunate passing, it was decided to continue Charlie’s inspiring mission and legacy, which lead us to creating Charlie’s Run for Kids.
Charlie will forever live on in our hearts, and her presence and impact within our community lives on through her charity.
Help to provide financial and emotional support for families battling childhood cancer
About Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer, almost exclusively occurring in childhood, most commonly between the ages of 0 and 5 years. About 40 children are diagnosed with this cancer each year in Australia. Neuroblastoma is a solid tumour cancer arising from particular nerve cells which run in a chain-like fashion up the child’s abdomen and chest and into the skull following the line of the spinal cord. The most common site for the tumour to grow is in the abdomen. About 50% start in the adrenal gland above the kidney. Some tumours grow at the back of the chest and occasionally even higher up towards the neck.
Neuroblastoma claims more lives of children under the age of 5 than any other cancer. Over 20 babies and toddlers will die from this disease in Australia this year and a third of the survivors will have long term side effects from their actual treatment. The average survival rate of Neuroblastoma is only 50%.
Charlie’s life lessons
Live life. Be thankful for every day, find a positive in every day. Smile and laugh every day despite the difficulties as Charlie could do this even on her worst days.
Do what makes you happy and never be afraid to dream.
Be kind.
Accept yourself just as you are and be accepting of others as they are.
Love and cherish your family and dearest friends.
Love your children deeply, cuddle and kiss them often and tell them you love them often.
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