14/10/2026
💛 National Carers Week
When Nicole was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (a type of blood cancer) at just four years old, her parents suddenly found themselves in the new and challenging role of carers.
Nicole’s father, Anthony, recalls:
“Luisa (Nicole’s mother) became Nicole’s full-time carer, supporting her through treatment, while Nicole’s sisters helped maintain a sense of normality and family connection. We knew the road ahead would be difficult, but we were determined to face it together.”
The family was living in Albury at the time, and there was no cancer centre in the border city.
“Living 320 kilometres from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne added significant emotional, physical and financial pressure.
“Travelling to Melbourne for treatment meant time away from home, while we also had to consider our other daughters, including our youngest, who was just two years old.
“We had to lean on relatives to help with taking our other children to and from school and the general day-to-day responsibilities.”
Today, Nicole is 30 years old, cancer-free and is part of our Patient Advocacy Program, sharing her lived experience to support childhood blood cancer research in Dr Teresa Sadras’ laboratory.
Nicole’s parents’ advice to other people currently on the carer journey:
“Stay strong, take things one day at a time and lean on your family and support network. Caring for a child with cancer is emotionally and physically exhausting, and it is okay to have difficult days.
“We always held onto the saying, “There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel.” That hope helped carry us through, and today we are incredibly grateful that Nicole is in remission.”
Thank you to Nicole and her parents for generously sharing their story to shine a light on the important role of carers this National Carers Week!
Carers Australia
