Jaxon and nan make special memories together on Family Camp

“Jaxon was first diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at Ipswich Emergency on September 19, 2023, after having pneumonia,” says his nan, Joanne.

Joanne and her husband Wayne have been Jaxon’s kinship carers as well as his nan and pop for the last three and a half years.

Within a week of his diagnosis, Jaxon was transferred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital to start treatment. For the next month, he received chemotherapy, antibiotics and blood transfusions. His nan never left his side.

After the intense period in hospital, Jaxon was able to come home to continue his treatment. He was still a very sick little boy, needing to use a wheelchair and isolate at home. Joanne wanted to make sure he didn’t miss out on too much learning and drew on her past experience as a prep teacher to homeschool Jaxon.

“We had fun learning together with reading, writing stories, maths and science investigations, drawing and craft.”

“After 6 months of treatment, Jaxon didn’t need to use his wheelchair, leg splints and nasal-gastric tube anymore and he could then return to school most days as he grew stronger.”

In May 2024, with the support of Jaxon’s school and for their ‘Crazy Hair Day’, his Year One teacher participated in fund-raising for the World’s Greatest Shave, with Jaxon assisting in her hair cutting. At the time, Jaxon was experiencing hair loss and matched his teacher’s shaved head.

Later that year, they organised for the Camp Quality Puppets to visit his school, and Joanne says that “Jaxon was delighted that the students could have an opportunity to learn more about cancer.”

Jaxon, Joanne and Wayne went to their first Camp Quality Family Fun Day in November, meeting other families at the Christmas party at Bribie Island. This year, Joanne and Jaxon went on their first Family Camp to Noosa.

“Wayne was away on a trip, so just the two of us, Jaxon and Nan going to camp was a very special adventurous time together.”

“The weekend included all things that Jaxon enjoys…nature and wildlife, fun with dance and games, art and Lego activities, yummy food, being active on the jumping pillow and chatting with different people. The friendly volunteers who looked after us helped us both to feel comfortable and happy over the weekend.”

“During his treatment, Jaxon has experienced periods of anxiousness and the joy that Jaxon felt with others at the family camp, made my heart sing. In Jaxon’s words, “I loved making some new friends, especially Theo who encouraged me to have a go, not give up and have fun.” The smiles continued all weekend with laughter being the best medicine.”

Jaxon is now in year two at school and is loving learning about dinosaurs in class. He likes to swim in their home pool, go to hip hop dance lessons and go scooting. He is in the maintenance cycle stage of his treatment and is on track to finish in December 2025.