The tale of Bobby and his bunny
2025-02-24
Sometimes friends find you when you least expect. That’s what happened with Bobby, who found his best pal, Funny Bunny when receiving treatment.
Bobby completed his big, blended family when he came into the world, but he was almost taken away from them.
It was during the pandemic when Bobby lost his appetite and started bruising easily. The family GP sent Bobby and his mum, Vanessa, straight to the hospital.
Within an hour of a blood test, they received the devastating news: Bobby had cancer. Countless visits to the hospital followed the diagnosis.
Bobby nearly bled out on the operating table when his central line was inserted. He even had a 12-centimetre blood clot on his brain, a severe side effect of his treatment.
But it was during his time in hospital that he met his best friend. His Easter Bear, which he calls Funny Bunny.
Vanessa says the moment in which they met is imprinted in Bobby’s mind.
“Bobby remembers the day he picked Funny Bunny out when he was in hospital receiving treatment. He says he used to cuddle him when he was sick,” she says.
“Funny Bunny is his comforter that he sleeps with every night. When Bobby is out, Funny Bunny waits on his bed. For Bobby, Funny Bunny is a connection to his past.”
Bobby’s now cancer-free and goes to big school. The family still go for check-ups at the hospital, with full remission still a couple of years away.
“Bobby’s journey affected our lives so much and we’re just so grateful that he’s still here,” Vanessa says.
“All the little things Bobby gets to do are extra special because we know what could’ve been taken away from us.
“When I think about Bobby’s time in hospital, I often picture Funny Bunny by his side.
These bears (and bunnies) put smiles on kids’ faces when going through terrible times.”
This Easter, when you donate a bear to a child in hospital, you’re helping a long weekend become shorter.