Camp Quality
On Christmas Eve 2021, Leo was diagnosed with cancer, and he has spent every Christmas since in hospital. But this year is different.
When six-month-old Leo was diagnosed with stage four hepatoblastoma, family life was turned upside down.
After two years, the family is slowly returning to a new normal and they’re about to head to Camp Quality camp for Leo’s first ever holiday.
Leo’s mum, Jennifer, knows just how isolating a cancer diagnosis can be. Not only for the child diagnosed, but their siblings, family, and friends as well.
“Both Leo and his brother Kai have missed out on us being home for two Christmas’s and two New Years holidays, so getting to go away for a break is so exciting for him too,” says Jennifer.
Camp Quality services and programs, such as Family Camps and Family Fun Days, gives families an opportunity to reconnect and create happy memories together outside of the hospital and away from treatment.
“Although this journey has led to so much trauma, and some isolation and disconnection from extended family, we have gained strength, resilience, and new friends. Our little family is feeling the most peace and stability we have had for a long time as our new chapter of life unfolds.”
Now, like any two-year-old, all Leo wants this Christmas is to spend time with his family. Leo has been given permission by his treatment team to go swimming with his big brother Kai and the pair couldn’t be more excited.
This Christmas, Camp Quality is calling on all Australians to dig deep to give children like Leo, the gift of being a kid again.
Donate today to give kids with cancer their childhood back.
About Camp Quality
Camp Quality brings positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer.
We are there for kids (0-15 years) dealing with their own cancer diagnosis, or the diagnosis of a sibling or parent, every step of the way.
Our services and programs help families build optimism and resilience by building supportive communities, giving families the chance to reconnect following hospital treatment at our Family Retreats, providing a break from cancer at our Camps and curriculum based in-school education programs with the Camp Quality puppets.
Our services also include digital resources and counselling, accessible whenever and wherever they are needed. We’re proud to have improved the quality of life for kids impacted by cancer, and their families for 40 years.
For more information, to register your family, donate, or get involved: https://www.campquality.org.au/
