AJ

For 11-year-old AJ and his family, life changed in an instant in April 2024. Once full of energy, laughter, and a love for sport, AJ was the kind of child who lit up any room he walked into. But when he began to complain of pain in his leg and shoulder blade, no one could have imagined what was coming.

After countless visits to doctors and hospitals, with endless tests and growing uncertainty, AJ’s pain only worsened. Then came the moment that would shatter their world—a single MRI that revealed something far more serious than anyone had expected. Within 24 hours, AJ and his family were urgently flown to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

The diagnosis was devastating: Acute Myeloid Sarcoma NUP98, a rare and aggressive blood cancer that had already spread through AJ’s body.

In the months that followed, AJ fought through four rounds of intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The treatments were grueling, isolating, and relentless. But amid the fear and heartbreak, something remarkable happened.

Just ten days after arriving in Sydney, the family was offered a place at Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney (RMHC GWS)—and it changed everything.

For the next 263 days, the House became so much more than a place to sleep. It became their lifeline.

“It truly became our home for those nine months,” AJ’s mum, Kerry, said softly. “We were given not just shelter, but warmth, kindness, and care. We didn’t feel alone anymore.”

Though AJ spent most of his days in hospital or isolation, RMHC GWS brought moments of joy and connection that helped carry them through. Kerry recalls the lead-up to Christmas with tears in her eyes. “Even with everything AJ was going through, he was able to feel the magic of the season. The Christmas carnival brought a sparkle to his eyes that we hadn’t seen in so long. The effort from the staff and volunteers was just… beyond words.”

The Meals from the Heart program became a quiet blessing—hot meals prepared for families three times a week. “In those moments when we were too tired to think, let alone cook, those meals meant everything. They reminded us that someone out there cared.”

Perhaps most importantly, the House offered a sense of belonging. “We met other families walking similar paths. We shared stories, tears, and hope. And the staff? They weren’t just staff—they became family.”

Now, with AJ in remission and the family finally home, they look back with deep gratitude for the place that held them up during the darkest days.

“To all the supporters of RMHC GWS—thank you,” Kerry says. “Because of you, we had a place to rest, to heal, to hope. You gave us comfort when we had nothing else to hold onto. You gave us strength.”

Your kindness makes moments of light possible for families living through their darkest times. Thank you for helping to keep hope alive.
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