Reconnecting as a Family: Raya’s Journey Beyond Childhood Cancer
Virtual Camps Bring Light in Dark Times
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Imogen has spent half her young life dealing with cancer. And it was a Camp Quality Virtual Camp that brought Imogen some much-needed light in the darkest period of her life.
Imogen has been in and out of hospital ever since doctors found a cancerous mass on her liver in 2016. Sadly, the cancer grew rapidly and she needed two types of chemotherapy, which proved physically brutal on her small body.
Then her parents received even more devastating news – the chemotherapy wasn’t working.
Pain and sickness
Following a liver transplant, Imogen developed sepsis and had a series of allergic reactions. She almost died on several occasions.
Her mum, Natalie, explains that sometimes it was the everyday battles that were the most heartbreaking.
“Imogen hates needles. She’s made a couple of nurses cry because she’s pleaded with them by saying, ‘I’ll be a real good girl. I really like you, just please don’t hurt me.’”
Virtual Camps: Rated 20/10
Like all kids facing cancer, Imogen desperately needed a break from the trauma of her treatment.
She was able to attend a Camp Quality Virtual Camp, which she absolutely loved. In fact, Imogen adored all the laughter, new friendships and fun activities so much, she rated her Virtual Camp experience a 20/10!
Our live-streamed Virtual Camps bring all the fun, positivity and connection of a camp experience online for Camp Quality kids aged 7-14. These free camps mean children who are isolated by cancer, due to their treatment, location or ongoing health concerns, don’t have to miss out on all the joy of Kids’ Camp.
You’ll be pleased to know that Imogen is doing better in 2022, although her condition continues to be monitored.
“Imogen is doing quite well almost 5 years now since her last chemo,” Natalie tells Camp Quality. “April 2022 will be her 5-year mark. Side-effects are still a thing but they’re stabilising well”.
“Her liver transplant, by some miracle, has stuck around despite her hepatic artery having a blockage. Her doctors have said many times she needs to buy a lottery ticket!”
Natalie says during this time Camp Quality Virtual Camps have proven a welcome distraction for both Imogen and her brother, Edison.
“We have been joining the Virtual Camps and they enjoy it. Both children loved the bingo!”
