3-year-old Isla is bravely fighting B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Isla’s cancer journey started when what looked like a tiny rash from her swimmers turned into a network of dots that spread down Isla’s legs, arms, and torso. 

Her parents now know that the rash was actually petechiae – a symptom of her having low platelets, which is in turn a symptom of blood cancer.

Isla’s GP ordered a blood test, saying this type of rash was not typical for kids, and the abnormal results sent them straight to the emergency room of the nearest children’s hospital.

At the hospital, a second test was done and a diagnosis confirmed… 

Isla had leukaemia, with further testing indicating it was B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The day before her diagnosis, she had been swimming and riding her bike through the park. The day after, she was admitted to hospital to start intensive cancer treatment.

In her first week of treatment, Isla needed immediate blood and platelet transfusions. She then had a central line placed, started high dose steroids and chemotherapy, and endured a bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture. 

Since then, Isla has endured 10 months of frontline treatment involving 7 different IV chemotherapy protocols and 2 rounds of immunotherapy.

Throughout her cancer journey so far, Isla has spent around 67 days in hospital.

At one point, Isla developed severe mucositis and ended up in hospital for 2 weeks being fed through a drip, and on a morphine and fentanyl pump as well as a load of other medicines. During that time, she was unable to eat, drink, talk, or swallow without severe pain.

Isla also lost her ability to walk properly for a period due to nerve damage from treatment, and developed a platelet allergy as well as emergence delirium where a child wakes from anaesthetic in a state of extreme confusion and distress.

Through every challenge, Isla continues to shine like the superstar she is. Her mum told us, “Isla has the most bubbly, outgoing and fierce personality… despite everything she’s been through, she’s constantly laughing, smiling, and having all kinds of fun.”

Her parents are so proud of how brave and mature their little girl has been every step of the way. They talk about everything with her, and she generally understands why she needs to go to the hospital and take certain medicines.

In her mum’s words, “I wish she didn’t have to be as strong as she is, but as her mum, I am so glad she has that fire inside her.”

Thankfully, Isla is now in the maintenance phase of treatment and finished with lumbar punctures and IV chemo. 

She will spend the next 1 to 1.5 years on daily oral chemotherapy, and hopefully ring the bell to mark the end of all treatment in June 2027.

The future holds both hope and uncertainty for Isla’s family. They’re grateful that Isla’s type of leukaemia has an excellent prognosis, but there will always be the thought of “what if…”

The lifelong impacts and side effects of intensive chemotherapy will require ongoing monitoring, and her immune system remains suppressed for now and at risk of even a simple cold.

To our GCC’ers, Isla’s mum wants to say, “You are raising awareness and funds in order to improve outcomes for our kids… as a cancer parent, I don’t think I’ll ever find the right words to thank you for all the advocacy, and the compassion you show.”

Isla, we’re riding for you this September… you’re a little legend!