Sienna's best gift - cancer free

Sienna Malaitai, 5, was this month cleared of advanced cancer after six months of treatment.

The only thing 5-year-old Sienna Malaitai wanted for Christmas this year, was to win her battle with cancer.

She got her wish.

Hawke's Bay Today first met Sienna's parents, Sharon and Vili Malaitai, in June this year. Then living in a household of 15, the hard-working couple explained how they managed to put food on the table for 10 children as part of this newspaper's Fighting Poverty campaign. The story sparked a flood of donations from the local community.

The family was also preparing to leave on a trip to Auckland so that then 4-year-old Sienna could undergo chemotherapy treatment at Starship Hospital. She had been diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

Now, a turbulent sixth months later, Sharon and Vili have revealed Sienna is cancer free. Her hair is growing back, and the family is finally taking a breath.

"Having a child diagnosed with cancer changes the way you think about everything. We're just picking up the pieces now. We know that we'll be all right."

After last week receiving the results of a CT scan which showed Sienna was clear, Ms Malaitai said "that's all Sienna wanted" for Christmas this year.

"She got her only wish for Christmas. Her cancer could come back but we're just thankful and we're staying positive. Her future is looking so bright."

It has been a big year for the Malaitai family. An "unforgettable party" was thrown for Sienna with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation on her 5th birthday in October, when the outlook was uncertain the family was taking things day by day. "That's what got her through, she always looked forward to her birthday."

About 300 people, including extended family from overseas, turned out at Haumoana's Matahiwi Marae. The theme, chosen by Sienna, was "princess at a carnival".

"There was bumper cars, a bouncy castle, candy floss - we'll never forget it."

The family was also featured, albeit reluctantly, in this year's Flaxmere Heroes calendar. "It was hard for us to accept it, but we've learnt to be proud of our accomplishments. We're an ordinary family that showed you can get through difficult times."

There will be new challenges next year as Sienna returns to school and Sharon tries to get a new child cancer initiative, inspired by Sienna's experience with the disease, under way - but for now, the family will spend the rest of the holiday season enjoying one another. The family hoped to donate gifts to charity and the local hospital as a gesture of thanks.