When he's not facing intensive cancer treatment, four-year-old Tom from Gawler finds joy and purpose in the kitchen, baking sweet treats. His favourite recipe, he insists, is one that would even satisfy Santa Claus.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Tom's world turned upside down just days after his fourth birthday. The little boy from Adelaide's northern suburbs collapsed into his mother Morgan's arms. "He was grey, lifeless, and I thought I was losing him," Morgan recalled. Hours later at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide, doctors delivered the devastating news: Tom had leukaemia.
Within a single day, his life shifted from riding bikes and playing with toy trucks to lying in a hospital bed in the oncology ward. "It all happened so fast and at the time we thought we were never going to get through it," Morgan said.
Baking as a Beacon of Hope
Over the following ten months, Tom endured gruelling chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and long hospital stays. To lift his spirits, he and his mum began baking for the medical team looking after him. Funfetti cookies became a special favourite, which Tom loved delivering to the nurses and doctors he calls his "hospital friends."
"By baking little treats, it put a smile on the faces of our medical team and put a smile on Tom's face," Morgan explained. "It was a positive for me as well because it helped to build relationships with all the medical staff." She is constantly amazed by her son's bravery and resilience throughout the ordeal.
Tom is now in the maintenance phase of his treatment, which is scheduled to continue until August 2026. He manages daily chemotherapy at home but still requires regular hospital check-ups.
Camp Quality's Lifeline for the Whole Family
The diagnosis has profoundly impacted Tom's entire family, including his sisters Sophie, 10, and Maddie, 8. "They've had to grow up faster than other kids. It's changed all of our lives," Morgan said.
This is where Camp Quality stepped in. The charity's free programs became a vital source of support and joy. The family attended their first Family Camp at Marion Holiday Park, where they reconnected with each other and built friendships with other families on similar journeys.
"This was our first camp with Camp Quality and it absolutely blew our minds. We spent the weekend feeling so grateful and loved," Morgan shared. The girls thrived in kids-only activities like building billycarts and playing on the beach. The family also enjoyed a Family Getaway at Adelaide Shores Caravan Park, creating precious happy memories.
As Tom looks forward to starting preschool and events like Convoy Adelaide in May, Camp Quality continues to support the family with counselling, peer connections, and online activities for the children.
Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas emphasised the importance of the Christmas Appeal, stating it is crucial to fund programs that bring positivity, fun, and laughter back into the lives of children impacted by cancer. "For over 40 years, Camp Quality has been transforming the lives of children and families facing cancer, thanks to the incredible generosity of everyday Australians," she said.
The charity relies on donations and the dedication of its 800 passionate volunteers to continue its work. Australians are encouraged to support the appeal and help families like Tom's.
