Some of you may remember the familiar faces of little Ashton and mum Natasha from last year’s Light Up Xmas Appeal. 

At just five days old, Ashton was diagnosed with Congenital Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) – a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This cancer is so rare that it impacts only one in five million babies. 

“We couldn’t believe it. We had no idea you could be born with such a terrible disease, but there we were,” said Ashton’s mum, Natasha. 

Thankfully little Ashton is a fighter who was determined to prove everyone wrong. After four long months of chemotherapy at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, he was declared cancer-free and was finally able to go home. 

Unfortunately, after three wonderful months, the family received another devastating blow – Ashton had relapsed. 

“We thought the initial diagnosis was hard. But a relapse diagnosis is so much harder,” recalled Natasha. 

Having to mentally come to terms with Ashton battling through his condition again, parents Natasha and Nathan remained strong and hopeful. Natasha knew Ashton and her family were in the best place possible and she had the support of the doctors and nurses around her. 

Thankfully after seven months of treatment and a bone marrow transplant from a hero donor, Ashton’s family were given the incredible news that he was cancer-free again.  

Now nearly two years old, Ashton is a little pocket rocket, and no one can slow him down.  

“Ashton is running, walking and climbing into everything, and he’s even started daycare by his big brother’s side.”  

Parents, Natasha and Nathan, couldn’t be happier about how far Ashton has come and couldn’t be more thankful for the support they received.

To support more kids like Ashton this Christmas, visit https://www.schf.org.au/lightupxmas.