Real life stories
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Donations provide Hudson Institute with a consistent and reliable source of funding, so our researchers can focus on their innovative research into new treatments and cures.
In these patient stories, read more about how medical research has impacted the lives of so many.
Surviving childhood cancer – Luca’s story
It’s hard to imagine four words more frightening to a parent than “Your child has cancer”. Monique and Baden share Luca’s story.
Thanks to medical research, today Luca is a smiling, happy and adventurous eight-year-old. He was only three when his parents learnt he had a rare brain cancer.
His parents donated tissue from his tumour for research, creating more hope for the next child with a rare brain cancer.
Living with endometriosis
“I was constantly getting pain and I ended up back at the doctor’s every 6 to 12 months saying, ‘Things don’t feel right’, and I was just told nothing was wrong. It took a lot of time and money to eventually get that diagnosis in my third excision laparoscopy.”
At just 26 years old, Maddy has just had surgery for the sixth time, and she knows that until better treatments are found, it’ll be far from her last.
“Looking back the tiresome treatments Cade had to go through when faced with this challenge, no family should have to go through this.
“It’s been a real journey. It affects literally every single area of my life: socially, mentally, emotionally, physically,” Maddy said.
Ovarian cancer at a young age
In 2016, not long after her 21st birthday, engrossed in study and looking to the future, ovarian cancer was definitely not part of Jessica’s plans.
Neither was starting a family, but when the ovarian cancer diagnosis came, Jessica’s priorities were instantly shifted.
The particular form of ovarian cancer Jessica had was a rare one: a Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour.
These cancers have a high recurrence rate, meaning Jessica lives with the knowledge that her cancer might return.
“Please, for me, for my daughter, for my mother, for your sister, for your daughter, for your wife. Please fund this ovarian cancer research. We have to give energy, time, money, talk about this ovarian cancer, so that the reality for women diagnosed with it is changed.” Jessica.
Lachy’s story
At 18 months, Lachy developed fevers, vomiting and general tiredness. Doctors thought it was a daycare virus and he would get over it. But when he didn’t, his parents, Carly and Ryan, took him to the emergency department and he didn’t leave hospital for a month.
Lachy had an 11 cm tumour in his abdomen and was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma, which had spread to his bone marrow.
After five rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplant, two weeks of radiation therapy and five rounds of immunotherapy – 14 months later, Lachy had ticked every box and is now cancer free.
“It gives you hope, not just for your own child, but for others. It also shows in the results – when we were diagnosed it was 50/50 – we knew medical research could make that better,” Ryan says.
Together we can invest in high-quality medical research that really matters for kids like Lachy.
Ewing sarcoma
” Your son has Cancer” is something no parent ever wants to hear. Cade Watts, a beautiful soul, tragically passed away at the young age of 15 from a rare and terrible form of cancer; Ewing Sarcoma.
This rare form of cancer currently has a very poor survival rate, which Hudson researchers are working to change.
“Looking back the tiresome treatments Cade had to go through when faced with this challenge, no family should have to go through this.
We are raising funds in hope that further research into this rare disease could one day mean that no other child will suffer from this insidious disease and improved treatment options may be made available for children experiencing Ewing sarcoma.” – Cades’ parents
Eli’s cancer battle
Eli was just 16 months old when he went from being a happy, healthy boy to beginning chemo in the space of a week.
501 days of chemotherapy.
Eli had an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (soft tissue cancer) in his bladder, and the treatment was harrowing, but three-and-a-half years later he remains cancer-free, with plenty of life ahead of him.
“Medical professionals – scientists like Ron and Jason – they’re all just superheroes in my eyes. It’s so personal for me, so if my story and our journey can help spread the word and attract extra funding, I will work my hardest and scream ‘more funding, please”. – Nelly, Eli’s mum
Little Ronick’s story
Professor Suzanne Miller and her team’s PROTECT Me Trial is providing hope to parents of our most vulnerable babies like Ronick.
When doctors told Hannah after her 28-week scan that her baby’s growth was well behind schedule, she was understandably concerned.
The world-first PROTECT Me Trial is using melatonin to combat the effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR) – a major cause of cardiovascular disease, lung and brain injury in newborns.
“I believe in science. I trust the doctors and midwives, so I decided to join the trial as soon as I knew there was an issue with my baby’s growth,” – Hannah
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030.
Conventional testing was unable to detect Concetta Vasille’s pancreatic cancer.
But for the first time, our researchers have used genetic tumour profiling to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
“He saved my life. I am a lucky girl.” — patient Concetta Vasille.
Max’s early arrival
When baby Max arrived – early and in a hurry – no-one realised he would play a vital part in keeping other preterm babies healthy in the future.
“We’re very proud that, out of such a dark time for our family, we also did something good,” she said.
Research under the guidance of a team led by Professors Marcel and Claudia Nold led to Max being the first participant in a trial of a new treatment to prevent preterm health issues.
Endo community
As Eliza Hart said, “When I was going through pre-anxiety about surgery, beautiful messages of support and solidarity came from my online endometriosis community, and they pulled me out of the mud when I was going through that.
It’s not heavy – you’ve got this beautiful group of people who are willing to help, who you have solidarity with. We take the rope and pull each other out.”
Born prematurely
Jack was born premature at just 24 weeks and endured several setbacks in his first two months, including being put on a ventilator when seizures prevented his breathing.
He was also at risk for BPD and cerebral palsy.
Professor Marcel Nold is one of the neonatologists looking after Jack. The aim of research conducted by the team he leads with A/Prof Claudia Nold is to find new treatments that will give babies like Jack a better start to life.
Hidden pain of POP
Six months after the birth of her third child, Jess*, 35, felt something wasn’t right. As she was walking 200 metres to the beach one day with her baby in a carrier, she felt an uncomfortable dragging sensation in her pelvis and had to sit down.
“The only thing that is keeping me going is reading about Professor Caroline Gargett’s team’s research into a potential stem cell treatment for POP,” — Jess.
Marisa’s IBD fight
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms can range from bloody diarrhoea to involuntary weight loss, and even joint swellings or eye inflammation.
It’s a condition 23-year-old nurse Marisa Coniglione knows all too well. She’s had ulcerative colitis (UC) since she was 11, and Dr Giles is her treating specialist.
“UC is invisible – no-one understands the suffering, so it doesn’t get public attention,” — Marisa
Stillbirth journey
At the age of 20, on a gap year from her Bachelor of Science studies, Kirstin Tindal unexpectedly became pregnant. Kirstin shares her stillbirth story to help others.
Largely as a result of her experience – Kirstin switched her studies from zoology to genetics and she’s now studying menstruation as an epidemiological indicator of birth outcomes and fertility.
She’s also a new mother, with two-month-old Cameron keeping her busy.
Living with Crohn’s
Rachel Botros, 19, has suffered from Crohn’s disease since she was a 14-year-old. The chronic condition interrupted her schooling and ability to live a typical teenage life.
Her two siblings also have inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) – Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
“I usually see Dr Edward Giles (Hudson Institute inflammation researcher and Monash Health consultant paediatric gastroenterologist) every two months, but at my last appointment, they said I can see him every six months because I’m doing so well. ” — Rachel
Childhood cancer
Sarah Russell knew something was gravely wrong with one of her twins, five-year-old Jaxon, when he became seriously ill with vomiting, nausea and unusual bruising, while his brother, Hunter, remained well.
Jaxon was diagnosed in October 2019 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
“Many years ago, Jaxon might not have had the chance that he has today to overcome this cancer,” said Sarah, who is looking forward to the day her son can run around again and start school”—Sarah
Endo awareness
Bridget Hustwaite suffered six years of intense abdominal pain before she was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis.
“We need faster diagnosis, better treatments and more education and awareness about endometriosis. The fact this research is being funded is a step in the right direction,”— Bridget
Healthy babies
There are times when a researcher’s personal and professional worlds collide. One of those times came late last year for Dr Stacey Ellery, who researches the use of creatine during pregnancy.
The health of her unborn baby was her primary concern, so Dr Ellery turned to science to help decide whether creatine supplementation during pregnancy was the right choice.
Kat’s endo journey
For years, Kat was told by doctors she might never have children due to severe endometriosis. Kat underwent two surgeries to remove endometriosis. Within a year, Kat and her partner fell pregnant with twins. Yet at nine weeks, came the devastating news of a miscarriage.
Now, the mother of twin girls, she wants to create more awareness, so that other women – and her daughters – don’t suffer.
Evelyn is grateful
It wasn’t until Evelyn’s debilitating symptoms started to impact her daily life that she sought help.
“I had to advocate for myself to get a diagnosis and trust my own body to know what was right and what wasn’t,”—Evelyn.
Evelyn is grateful for the care she has received from top endometriosis experts in Melbourne, and the support from “my wonderful husband who accompanied me to every appointment, scan and support group meeting”.
Bianca’s battle
Bianca had the worst case of endometriosis her doctors said they had seen. Yet, she had no pelvic pain and was only diagnosed after experiencing infertility. She now wants to raise awareness so that other women don’t suffer.
“People associate endometriosis with period pain or pelvic pain – but it’s so much more than stomach cramps. I nearly lost a kidney, and I was close to requiring a bowel resection due to endometriosis. This is not just about period pain. It’s just horrific,” —Bianca
Talking about endo
Nicole Fernley battled with endometriosis symptoms for 20 years before receiving a diagnosis.
Nicole cried tears of joy, relief, anger and frustration that it took 20 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis, a common gynaecological disease that affects one in nine women.
“This is my story. I want you to keep talking about endometriosis, you never know when you might be that one person for someone else. It is my hope that my research and the work here at Hudson Institute creates the momentum for change.” — Nicole
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