SAMANTHA TURNWALD

Face of the Child Cancer Foundation Appeal 2007

This gorgeous four year old, Samantha Turnwald, was diagnosed at age 15 months with Hepatoblastoma, a tumour of the liver after her parents noticed the right side of her tummy was getting harder. A biopsy confirmed stage four cancer (out of a possible five stages) with a tumour on the liver and secondary spots on the lungs. The prognosis wasn’t good and Sam started chemotherapy immediately. The tissue that had been taken for the biopsy was so riddled with cancer that it fell apart.

Sam received seven rounds of chemotherapy, with each round lasting two to three days at a time. For each treatment session Sam and her mum Jo would drive up to Auckland from Ohaupo and stay in Starship, before travelling back home to be with their family. Sam’s father Mark stayed at home to look after the family farm and Sam’s twin sister Lucy during the treatment. After the chemotherapy Sam had surgery to remove part of her infected liver and her gallbladder. She recovered well from surgery and started another three rounds of chemotherapy.

While Mark and Jo had incredible family support they still really appreciated the practical and emotional support that the Child Cancer Foundation provided. The introduction kit, photo album and disposable camera, the writing pads, meal and petrol vouchers were practical gifts that made a huge difference to their situation. And for Jo, when she was up at Starship by herself, a Child Cancer Foundation Support Worker’s time to sit with her and a simple hug made all the difference.

Sam in now in remission and has just recently celebrated her fourth birthday with Lucy. Although she is doing well she will be monitored closely until age seven and then will be included in the Late Effects programme. Her liver doesn’t function at full capacity and she has high tone hearing loss. As her gall bladder was removed in surgery her body can’t cope with fatty foods. It is also uncertain at this stage how chemotherapy drugs may have affected fertility.

Sam’s parents Jo and Mark decided to put Sam forward for the Face of the Appeal as they wanted to give something back to the Child Cancer Foundation. They want to show that kids can recover, can bounce back but they need support and they need support that is ongoing. Although cancer is now not an every day part of their lives, Sam and her family are still to deal with the late effects. As a major focus of the Child Cancer Foundation’s research funding over the next three years this years Appeal Week’s donations will go to helping kids like Sam cope with their future.

To interview Sam please contact:

Brie Elder
Phone: 021 369 066
Email: briannae@mangocommunications.co.nz