When two-and-a-half-year-old Sunet was diagnosed with a brain tumour, her parents Suret and Cornelius remember being hit by a wave of fear and anger.
At first it was difficult to see past the uncertainty surrounding the future for their kind and gentle little girl.
Sunet during her treatment
Cornelius recalls a time when family camping trips were replaced by treatments and hospitals.
“Our world as we knew it changed forever. Nothing has ever been the same. We lost so much time as a family,” he said.
Over eight years post treatment the family has been supported by the oncology team at PCH and benefited from the generosity of Telethon donations.
While catching up with her schoolwork has been one of the main challenges for Sunet, she’s optimistic about the year ahead thanks to the work of Back on Track.
Back on Track is a Child Cancer Research Institute initiative that helps children with a cancer diagnosis to return to school with support.
The organisation is one of 275 organisations who received grants, made possible by Telethon, through WA’s generosity.
Sunet is now entering Year 5, at Peter Moyles Anglican Community School with the help of an Educational Assistant to give her a helping hand in class.
Her family now have high hopes for the year ahead with Sunet given additional guidance in managing the social, emotional and educational needs in the classroom.
With Sunet’s learning back on track, there’s more time to do what she loves, swimming, martial arts and craft.
For Sunet’s mother Suret, it was important to thank the community for their commitment to building better, brighter futures for WA children through Telethon.
“This will enable her to become a much better, stronger, fully functional adult that can one day give back something to other people,” she said.
Already preparing to give back, where others have given for them.