Support the Child Cancer Foundation Beads of Courage Appeal

Joyce Singh (8), Emma Watson (3) and Dequarn Harrison (4) - Three brave children on their cancer journey

Give generously to support children with cancer.

This year the 2011 Child Cancer Foundation National Appeal will run throughout the entire month of March, with the nationwide Beads of Courage Day (street collection) on Friday, March 25th.

To donate, look out for street collectors on Beads of Courage Day, this Friday 25 March or

VISIT: childcancer.org.nz to make a secure online donation
TEXT: bead TO 206 to make a $3 donation
CALL: 0900 4 CHILD (4 24453) to make a $20 donation
GIFT: Gift a Bead of Courage to make a $5 donation at any Farmers store

Appeal Month has become even more vital for the The Child Cancer Foundation in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake on February 22nd. The Foundation supports all children throughout New Zealand during their cancer journey and directs help where the need is the greatest.

A number of families have relocated out of Christchurch to other centres to safeguard continued care and treatment. Families that remain in Christchurch are now facing the additional stresses the earthquake has brought, in addition to the challenges of their cancer journey.

Three children are diagnosed with cancer each week in New Zealand and collectively undergo a total of 75,000 treatments and procedures annually.

The Foundation is aiming to raise $1 million during Child Cancer Appeal Month to support children with cancer and their families.

Three brave children share their cancer journey

For the Appeal, three brave children will represent all the children and families currently being supported by the Foundation - Emma Watson (3) from New Plymouth, Dequarn Harrison, (4) and Joyce Singh (8) both from Pukekohe, Auckland.

Emma loves to play with her dolls, watch cartoons, have tea parties and play with her unicorn collection. However Emma has experienced far more challenges in her life than most kids of her age, including cardiac arrest and organ failure.

Emma was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on January 19th 2010, ten days after her parents' wedding.

Her battle with cancer intensified when she caught a superbug while having chemotherapy last November - the pseudomonas bug was first ever to be resistant to the known antibiotic that normally would fight it. Emma suffered two cardiac arrests, multiple organ failure and was on life support for 15 days. She was not expected to survive and neurological damage was to be expected but three months later Emma is as bright and talkative as ever!

Emma has received 1900 Beads of Courage and is currently on maintenance treatment.

Dequarn is four-years-old and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2009. One of the most emotionally difficult parts of Dequarn's journey has been hair loss, a side effect of chemotherapy.

Dequarn has Maori and Cook Island heritage and as part of the Cook Island culture children will not have their hair cut until the family has had a hair-cutting ceremony. Prior to being diagnosed, Dequarn had long, curly hair which he wore in a plait. He had never had his hair cut. After his hair started to fall out the family made the difficult decision to cut it short. It is fitting that Dequarn's favourite Bead of Courage is the one he received for hair loss, which has an image of a face with curly hair.

Dequarn is now on maintenance treatment and has collected 635 Beads of Courage throughout his journey. Dequarn's family recently received the positive news from his doctor that he can attend school this year.

Joyce is a natural in front of the camera. The eight year-old, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in November, 2009 aspires to be a professional model.

Having collected 900 Beads of Courage for every treatment and procedure she has endured, Joyce says her favourite beads are those which she has received from having injections as each one has given her more confidence.

For Joyce too, hair loss has been traumatic but after watching an episode of "America's Next Top Model," her favourite television show, where one of the models had her hair shaved off, Joyce commented to her mother, "I can still be a model even with no hair."

Her family are very proud of her bravery and considers Joyce not just to be a model, but also a role model to those around her. Joyce is currently having maintenance treatment is looking forward to starting school again and will be in Year four at Valley School.