Isla was a joyful and lively four-year-old, flourishing in daycare, swimming lessons, and school orientation. However, subtle indicators — snoring and knee discomfort — suggested a more serious issue. Her parents, Sarah and Darrin, initially thought it was just enlarged adenoids and growing pains, believing there was nothing to be concerned about. But one phone call changed everything.
Darrin vividly remembers the moment: their GP requested an urgent meeting and stated, “Isla has leukaemia. You need to go to Randwick tonight; they are expecting you.” In that instant, their lives were turned upside down. The couple hurried their daughter to Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, where Isla’s diagnosis was confirmed: T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (T-ALL), a notably aggressive type of the disease.
Each year, around 150 children in Australia are diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, the most prevalent childhood cancer. Approximately 15% of these cases are the aggressive T-ALL subtype, which impacts T-cells and is often less responsive to treatment, with a higher chance of relapse. For Isla, this necessitated immediate and intensive treatment.
The initial weeks and months were a whirlwind of hospital visits, tests, and procedures. Steroid treatment led to significant physical changes in Isla, while her family adjusted to a new reality. Sarah and Darrin, both police officers, alternated staying with Isla around the clock, while also caring for their four other daughters and returning to work in shifts. Life became a careful balance of love, vigilance, and fatigue. “I remember the first nine months as particularly frightening, intense, and traumatic: emotionally and physically for Isla especially, and for the entire family,” Sarah reflects.
In the midst of the struggle, hope emerged through groundbreaking research. The Zero Childhood Cancer (ZERO) program provided personalized medicine aimed at enhancing survival rates for children like Isla, with a goal of 100% survival. Her treatment plan included advanced therapies, featuring a new compound called OBI-3424, developed by Professor Richard Lock and his team. This medication, one of the most effective against T-cell leukaemia, instilled hope in the family for a brighter future.
The treatment was arduous. Isla faced months of chemotherapy, hospital stays, and side effects that tested her both physically and emotionally. Yet throughout this ordeal, her resilience and spirit shone brightly. The unwavering support of her family — remaining by her side, managing her care, and comforting her through fear and pain — became her foundation. Each small victory, from completing a treatment session to enjoying a moment of play, was celebrated as a triumph over the illness.
By 1st November 2016, Isla completed her intensive treatment. This marked the conclusion of a crucial chapter but not the end of the journey. The family remained realistic, aware that the path ahead would involve follow-ups, monitoring, and ongoing vigilance against relapse. Despite this, they found joy in watching Isla regain a sense of normal childhood. Playdates, school activities, and family outings gradually resumed, and for the first time in years, laughter filled their home once more.
Today, Isla is thriving, a living testament to courage, resilience, and the power of medical innovation. Her journey highlights not only the challenges of childhood cancer but also the life-saving effects of research and personalized treatment. For families like hers, initiatives such as ZERO symbolize hope, offering a chance for children with aggressive leukaemia to survive and enjoy the life they deserve.
Isla’s story is a tribute to the strength of a child and the commitment of a family who never wavered, even in the face of fear and uncertainty. Her journey serves as a reminder that while the path through cancer is long and challenging, advancements in treatment, compassionate care, and community support can transform what once seemed impossible into a narrative of hope, resilience, and victory.
