This Christmas holds a profound meaning for two Western Australian families, as their young sons celebrate a hard-won victory over a devastating illness. Four-year-old Riley Coyne and two-year-old Ace D'Agostino are enjoying the festive season with a new lease on life after both endured a gruelling battle with leukaemia.
A Friendship Forged in Adversity
The two boys were already friends, having played together as healthy toddlers. Their bond, however, was tragically strengthened when they were both diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia within months of each other. Riley's family received the shocking news in June 2024, when he was just three years old. Ace's diagnosis followed in February 2025, when he was less than two.
Riley's mother, Elysia Coyne, described the emotional turmoil of supporting another family through the same nightmare. "Riley had scheduled chemo in hospital at the time while Ace was in hospital first being diagnosed," she said. "For me it was reliving that trauma again because it was so close to home."
Ace's mother, Parissa D'Agostino, expressed deep gratitude for their shared understanding. "At the very beginning, when I was still processing, it was great having someone who gets it because it's a world you don't know exists until you're in it," she said.
The Long Road to Recovery
The treatment journey uprooted both families. The Coynes had to leave their home in Dunsborough and spent 15 months in accommodation provided by the Leukaemia Foundation in Innaloo while Riley underwent intensive treatment.
In a triumphant turn, Riley has now completed five rounds of chemotherapy and two rounds of immunotherapy. Just in time for Christmas, he returned home to Dunsborough, where he continues oral chemotherapy. A major milestone was finally starting school.
"Riley has grown his hair back and he's enjoying out-of-hospital life, that's for sure," Ms Coyne shared. "It's just a relief to be home and where we want to be for Christmas — it's a good feeling."
Ace has also emerged from the most intense phase of his treatment, having just finished nine-and-a-half months of aggressive chemotherapy. He is now recuperating at the family's Wanneroo home before beginning his own oral chemotherapy regimen.
A Christmas of New Appreciation
For both families, the simple joys of the festive season now shine brighter. Ms D'Agostino reflected on the newfound significance of holiday traditions. "We're hoping Christmas will be lovely and little things are now big things — like putting the Christmas tree up," she said. "Sometimes we take that for granted — but this year was just special because some people don't get to do that."
The road ahead remains cautious, with both boys still under medical care. However, the hope is that by Christmas 2026, they will both be declared cancer-free and can fully embrace the carefree joys of childhood. Their story stands as a powerful testament to resilience, the strength of community, and the precious gift of health.
