Community
17 September, 2022
Talk like a pirate day
CHILDHOOD Cancer Support is calling on the community to support children with cancer and their families.
Talk Like a Pirate Day is on September 19 and raises awareness and much-needed funds for Childhood Cancer Support.
The charity provides families with free short-term and longterm accommodation, as well as psychological and emotional support and patient transport services when families must travel for life-saving cancer treatment.
Cairns teen, Tiana Goodings, is currently staying in Childhood Cancer Support accommodation and is undergoing treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma.
Earlier this year, Tiana started to experience pain in her groin.
As a dancer of eleven years, Tiana and her family thought that the pain was related to her dancing.
After many doctors’ visits and physiotherapy tests, Tiana was diagnosed with a tumour in her pelvis.
Tiana’s parents, Daryl and Della, were shocked by the news.
“The news was devastating and very scary, we didn’t know what to expect, and it was a huge shock to us all,” Della said.
The family were rushed to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane for further testing and treatment.
“Having a child with cancer is very scary and worrying for the whole family. It is an emotional roller coaster,” she said.
“For a start, there is a feeling of disbelief, then panic, and then the fight response takes over, and you try to be strong to try and help the whole family come together to be close and help each other through all the emotions.”
Della said organisations like Childhood Cancer Support are vital for families battling cancer.
“We really can’t put into words how grateful we are to Childhood Cancer Support and how much of a difference having our own home to live in and be a close family throughout these difficult times is making to Tiana and the whole family’s journey,” she said.
“We will be here for at least another seven months and are really happy here.”
Talk Like a Pirate Day is a fun way to support Childhood Cancer Support and families like the Goodings.
With a child diagnosed with cancer in Australia every 14 hours, Childhood Cancer Support is in need of more community support.
Talk Like a Pirate Day was officially launched on Thursday, September 1. Gather your family and friends, or get your school, childcare and workplace involved.
Register or donate atwe: talklikeapirateday.com.au
