Three-year-old Lucy was a bright, energetic little girl who loved Barbie, imaginative play, and filling her home with laughter. But one night, as she was getting ready for bed, her mum Sarah noticed an unusual lump on her ribcage — a moment that changed their lives forever.
“As soon as I saw it, I had a terrible feeling that this was something very serious,” Sarah recalls. The next morning, fearing the worst, she rushed Lucy to their GP, who immediately ordered a chest x-ray. By 11 a.m., Lucy had been rushed to the children’s hospital. “The GP told me to pack a bag and go now,” Sarah remembers. “Scans showed a suspicious mass on her ribs, as well as lesions in her lungs. It all happened so quickly; it was surreal.”
Multiple scans and biopsies confirmed the family’s worst fears: Lucy had Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive childhood bone cancer that had already spread to her lungs, dramatically reducing her chances of cure. “Everything changed in the blink of an eye. One minute Lucy was playing with her brother and sister, the next she was fighting for her life,” Sarah says.
Despite the shock, Lucy’s parents focused on what they could control. “I knew I needed to be strong and guide little Lucy through this nightmare, so I put on my big girl pants and just got on with it — one step at a time,” Sarah recalls.
Lucy began treatment immediately, spending much of the next two years in the hospital. She endured 22 cycles of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The side effects were relentless: a weakened immune system left her vulnerable to infections including COVID-19, along with bacterial and fungal infections, seizures, pneumonia, gastrointestinal inflammation, and life-threatening heart damage. “Lucy was so unwell and in so much pain. Our family felt trapped in a chaotic cycle of hospital visits, complications, and living in constant fear of the unknown,” Sarah says.
Hospitalization was isolating. Lucy missed time at home with her big sister Grace, eight, and brother Billy, four. “She would often stare out the hospital window and tell stories about what she planned to do when she got home,” Sarah recalls. “It was a very sad and lonely time for her.”
Amid the pain and isolation, Starlight Children’s Foundation brought light to Lucy’s dark days. “The Captain Starlights were often the only visitors Lucy saw. They brought laughter and entertainment to her hospital room, making long days just a little easier,” Sarah says.
When she was well enough, Lucy loved visiting the Starlight Express Room to play, laugh, and escape the hospital environment. She spent hours doing crafts, having her nails and face painted, and watching movies on the big screen. Most importantly, she loved seeing the Captains. “They always made her laugh and laugh,” Sarah says. “She would drag her IV pole chasing them around — she was unstoppable.”
One unforgettable moment came when Hollywood star Margot Robbie, dressed head-to-toe in sparkly pink, made a surprise visit to the Starlight Express Room. Lucy, a Barbie fanatic, was overjoyed to meet her. “Margot complimented Lucy on her outfit and gave her a big hug,” Sarah recalls. “It was magical, especially after everything Lucy had endured in the hospital.”
After countless challenges, Lucy was granted her Starlight Wish. She wished for a family holiday near the beach, with a pool to splash in with Grace and Billy, and, most importantly, to fly on a plane. The trip to Far North Queensland was a dream come true. For two years, Lucy had been unable to swim, so the chance to enjoy the pool and the beach was a transformative experience. “She swam until her fingers went wrinkly!” Sarah laughs. They explored the Great Barrier Reef, spotted crocodiles, and enjoyed water slides — creating precious memories far from the hospital.
Now six years old and in remission, Lucy’s life is filled with activity and play. She is mastering handstands, roller skating, digging in the sandpit, and swimming without floaties. While she still has regular checkups, her joy and resilience shine brighter than ever.
“Lucy was robbed of two years of her childhood,” Sarah reflects. “But Starlight provided so many bright moments during those dark days. The joy and laughter the Captains bring are vital for children’s mental health and wellbeing. Meeting Margot Robbie — a real-life Barbie — in the Starlight Express Room was definitely a highlight for us.”
Lucy’s story is a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and the transformative power of play and joy in the midst of life-threatening illness. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, hope, laughter, and imagination can light the way.