How a little dinosaur helped Rory through his biggest battle
2024-10-14
Rory is your typical five-year-old. His hobbies include wrestling, playing in the dirt and tormenting his brother. He’s a loveable little guy and he and his three siblings are a constant source of joy for his parents, Jen and Ben Hillery.
Rory’s best pal is his Deedee Dinosaur from The Kids’ Cancer Project, which he calls Derek. Derek doesn't leave Rory’s side and has even managed to kick Squirtle out of Rory’s bed after a three-year stay, and he even goes to pre-school alongside him!
For Rory, Derek is a reminder of how far he’s come. That despite the many obstacles he’s had to overcome in a very short time, there’ll always be friends (and bears) by your side to get you through.
Rory was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after not showing too many signs of illness. No loss of appetite, no unexplained bruising, no sickness. It wasn’t until Ben discovered there was swelling in the glands under his arms and in his groin that he was taken to the doctor, who initially thought he had glandular fever.
The phone rang a few hours after and the news wasn’t good, Jen recalls.
“Ben’s face went white. He started running around grabbing bags and threw the phone at me and I asked the doctor to repeat what he had said,” she says.
“That phone call blew our lives apart in an instant. Rory left on that Monday night and he didn't return home for five months.”
Rory’s few weeks of treatment were a struggle. He was being poked and prodded from every angle and subsequently lost much of his spark. Thankfully that didn’t last long.
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“He decided midway through his treatment that he did not like any of the liquid medications he was having to take,” Jen recalls.
"The alternatives were either a tube in his nose or a tablet, and he chose the latter. Within two days, this kid had learnt to take tablets, much to the surprise of everyone around him. He still talks about it!
“That's one of his proudest achievements through the treatment. It didn't matter what they were going to throw at this kid, he was going to do it his way.”
These days Rory is getting on spectacularly. Beyond his hair, you wouldn’t have a clue there’s anything wrong with him. He’s a keen gardener, and he’s back playing with his brother and sisters.
Derek is obviously a friend and a toy for Rory, but he is additionally a wonderful way for him to articulate his thoughts, feelings and fears through play. He is a companion and a symbol of his fighting spirit.
Rory’s swift recovery – with his bear by his side – is a testament to his courage and the ingenuity of childhood cancer research. Only with your support and gifting of a bear can we continue to fund researchers backed by The Kids’ Cancer Project.
Jen agrees.
“Knowing Deedee Dinosaur and other bears donated via The Kids’ Cancer Project are bringing so much joy to kids like Rory – while committing funds to vital kids’ cancer research – is amazing.
“My recent experiences as a mother are something I will have in the back of my mind for the rest of my life. I hope that no mother or child ever must go through what we have, and the only way we can work towards that is through funding research.”
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It’s why a bear is an incredible gift to receive during the festive season for a child in need. When parents go home and friends can’t visit, a bear becomes wonderful company.
By donating a bear bundle for $119.90 before 12 December, you’re giving two friends to two children in hospital this holiday season, and funding vital kids’ cancer research.