Birthday girl helps cancer patients beat the boredom

Gabby Devine has delivered hundreds of presents to children in oncology wards. Photo / Meg Cumberpatch

Cancer boredom-buster Gabby Devine is celebrating her 13th birthday today by giving presents to 100 fellow child cancer patients in hospitals around the country.

The teenager has been fighting Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, for two years and endured a year of aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove three ribs and a quarter of her lung.

As she was finishing her treatment, Gabby thought about what people had done for her but also how boring it was in hospital, sometimes in a room on her own.

She thought she would return some kindness by giving children a distraction.

Her idea was to create "boredom boxes", with seven amusing gifts enclosed, and also "superhero" packs, to show her appreciation of their brave struggle.

In April, she started a charity with a Facebook page called Starlit HOPE.

This has enabled her to deliver, often in person, hundreds of presents - fox monkeys, loom bands, books, nibbles and balloons - to children in oncology wards.

"She is fulfilling her dream of doing a random act of kindness to all the oncology ward kids", said her mother, Sarah Devine, of New Plymouth.

"She has been very particular in picking the presents, packing them in boxes at home and sending them all away."

This has been achieved despite the appearance of another tumour late last year.

The tumour affected her walking - she now uses a frame at home and a wheelchair outdoors - but could not slow her interest in giving.

"She has an amazing determination," said Mrs Devine.

"Lately, when she has been feeling unwell she will come up with an idea and her dad and I will help box it up and she will lie there watching us and then take over to do the finishing touches.

"She loves doing it ... says it takes her mind off the treatment.

"But she has a passion for children and wants to be a play specialist teacher at Starship or New Plymouth hospitals."

Donations and gift-shopping discounts help to pay for random acts of kindness, which include providing Christmas Day breakfasts for parents at Starship children's hospital in Auckland.

"One time she heard a man swearing at staff and thought they did not get much recognition, so for Valentine's Day she sent shortbread hearts to the parents and staff too."

Ewing's sarcoma

• A rare type of cancer.
• Small tumours are typically found in the bones, and less often the soft tissue.
• It is more common in children and adolescents, though adults do occasionally get it.
• The cancer particularly arises in the long bones and the pelvis.
• It does not run in the family.
• It was discovered by cancer pathologist James Ewing more than 90 years ago.