Hawke's Bay family's cancer journey made easier with sibling programme

Max Weeks, 10, from Napier was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in November 2016. Photo / Warren Buckland

These days Napier boy Max Weeks is your everyday 10-year-old, who loves nothing more than kicking a football around after school.

But life for Max, and his three sisters, wasn't always so gloriously mundane.

Max was in 2016, aged six, diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis - a rare type of cancer caused by an abnormal increase in certain immune cells.

June marks the three-year anniversary since he was declared to have "no active disease".

Fortunately Max is only required to have yearly check-ups to monitor his progress, but the news the family received five years ago turned their world upside down.

Mum Monique would travel every six weeks from their Hawke's Bay home to Auckland's Starship hospital with her son – one of four children.

But the Child Cancer Foundation introduced Max's father John and three sisters Giana, Leila and Amalia to the Beads of Courage Sibling Programme, who provide recognition and emotional support to siblings impacted by the serious illness.

Monique Weeks said the Beads of Courage Sibling Programme gave her girls something that was all about them, instead of being all about Max. Photo / Supplied

Monique said the family were connected with a family support coordinator, Shannyn, soon after Max's diagnosis.

"Amalia was only four when Max was diagnosed, so she was just starting school when we were in the thick of the treatment plan," she said.

"Shannyn set me up with the Beads of Courage Sibling Programme to support all the girls through their experience, but especially for Amalia."

Monique said the programme gave the girls something that was all about them, instead of being all about Max.

Every time Max and Monique had to leave for treatment, when the girls received special awards at school and on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, Monique would sit down with her daughters and give them a packet of sibling beads.

June marks three years since Max Weeks was declared to have "no active disease". Photo / Warren Buckland

Monique said Amalia's beads were especially effective as a tool to help with the anxiety she was experiencing because they helped her feel included.

"Younger kids see the beads as a treat that only cancer patients get, so for Amalia to get her own was very special. I saw so much growth in her throughout our journey."

During the course of her son's treatment, the mother of four said the Child Cancer Foundation was amazing.

As well as providing day-to-day emotional and practical support, the family support coordinator was particularly focused on ensuring that Max's sisters were supported through their experience.

The foundation spokeswoman said it was great to see Max doing well and enjoying life "as every 10-year-old boy should".

Monique said her son keeps himself fit by playing club football and is a football fanatic, and avidly follows clubs Liverpool and Barcelona.

This winter around 40 families in New Zealand will be affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis.