Zachary was just two and a half years old when his parents noticed something wasn’t right. For six months, he had been unwell—persistent fevers, unusual tiredness, and a pale complexion that worried them deeply. Then came the blood tests. Results pointed to something far more serious than a childhood virus.
In May 2020, Zachary was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
The news was crushing. The diagnosis came just as the world was shutting down during the first wave of COVID-19, making an already terrifying situation even harder. His dad wasn’t allowed to visit the hospital, and when he finally could, he had to wear full PPE. The fear, the separation, and the uncertainty weighed heavily on the family.
Then came the bone marrow biopsy that confirmed it all.
For over three and a half years, Zach endured a treatment plan that seemed endless. It included weekly and monthly chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, hospital stays, and countless days when he was too weak to play. His childhood became defined by needles, medications, and the long shadow of cancer.
Minutes passed. And then—something no one expected.
Despite the harshness of treatment, Zachary’s spirit never faded. Nurses recall his quiet determination, his ability to smile even when the days were difficult. His family often said that while the medicine healed his body, it was his spirit that kept everyone else strong.
Life during COVID made it even harder. Extreme isolation meant Zach missed out on milestones other children took for granted—school days, playdates, birthdays with friends. But his family fought to create joy where they could, filling hospital rooms and home isolation with stories, games, and love.
And then, in June 2025, the long-awaited day arrived.
After three years and eight months of relentless treatment, Zachary completed his final round of chemotherapy. The sense of relief was indescribable. No more hospital visits every week. No more chemotherapy hanging over every tomorrow. For the first time in years, they could dream again—dream of a future free from cancer.
It was as if life itself had been handed back to him.
Now seven years old, Zach is full of energy. He’s always on the go, catching up on lost time, reclaiming the years cancer tried to steal. Whether it’s running around outside, playing with friends, or simply enjoying the freedom of being a child again, he embraces every moment with a joy that inspires everyone around him.
His story is not just one of survival—it’s one of resilience, family, and love. It’s about a little boy who faced cancer during one of the hardest times in recent history and came through stronger.
As part of the Go Gold campaign for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Zachary’s story is shared to give hope to families still fighting and to honour the incredible strength children show when faced with unthinkable challenges.
Sometimes, the bravest warriors aren’t found on battlefields. Sometimes they’re seven years old, smiling in a yellow shirt, giving the world a double thumbs-up because they know they’ve already won the hardest fight of all.