In November 2015, at just six years old, Violet’s world changed forever.

The life she had known—a life filled with school, friends, playdates, and family laughter—suddenly vanished into a world of hospitals, needles, and medications that left her feeling constantly unwell.

For months, Violet had been complaining of tummy upsets, aches, and pains.

Everyone thought it was just growing pains.

But then, an ultrasound revealed the unimaginable.

There, near her left kidney, was a tumour the size of a fist.

Her official diagnosis was Stage 4 neuroblastoma.

The cancer had spread throughout her tiny body.

It was in her skull, her jaw, her spine, her legs, and even her bone marrow.

No wonder she had been feeling sick.

Craig, Violet’s dad, recalls, “It was shocking. Suddenly, our sunny, sweet girl was being eaten up by this terrible illness. It was like watching a storm destroy something precious right before our eyes.”

The reality of Violet’s situation hit Colleen and Craig immediately.

Their cheerful little girl, once full of energy and laughter, deteriorated rapidly.

Within just two weeks of being admitted to Lady Cilento Hospital in Brisbane, the pain in Violet’s legs became so severe she could no longer walk.

Treatment began immediately.

She underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy designed to fight the cancer, as well as a nine-hour surgery to remove most of the tumour—and, heartbreakingly, her left kidney.

For the following months, her parents stayed by her side as she endured radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

Life became a grueling new routine.

Craig and Colleen juggled school drop-offs, medical appointments, and bedside vigils.

They were awake instantly in the middle of the night whenever Violet experienced the painful side-effects of treatment.

Colleen recalls, “It was like having a newborn baby all over again—nappy changes, sleepless nights, bad dreams, and constant care.”

Violet’s appetite was destroyed by the cancer and the treatment.

She could no longer eat normally and required tube feeding to receive the nutrition she desperately needed.

Family dinners, playdates, and normal home routines became things of the past.

The emotional and physical strain took its toll on everyone.

Craig took extended leave from work to be there for Violet, while Colleen put her studies on hold.

“Life became all about survival,” Craig said.

“We would do anything necessary to help our precious daughter get better.”

Despite the challenges, Violet’s passion for life never wavered.

Even through treatment, she found joy wherever she could.

She took up roller-skating and refused to let cancer steal her fun.

Her parents worked tirelessly to ease her burden, going to extraordinary lengths to make every day brighter for her.

After two long years, treatment finally ended, and Violet returned to school.

Though cancer had taken a significant part of her childhood, it could not touch her spirit.

Colleen shared, “This journey shaped her into the incredible little human she is today. Her resilience, her courage, her love—it’s unmatched.”

However, just as the family began to breathe a sigh of relief, tragedy struck again.

Not long after completing treatment, Violet relapsed.

Over the following years, her cancer became aggressive and resistant to conventional therapies.

Despite this, Violet’s spirit remained unbroken.

She brought joy to everyone around her.

She loved music and encouraged nurses to sing, dance, and rap along with her, spreading laughter and light even in the hospital’s sterile halls.

Colleen reflected, “The research being done at the Children’s Cancer Institute will make a real difference. One day, they will bring us a cure. Violet knew this, and she inspired everyone to support this mission.”

Even as her health worsened, Violet remained determined to help other children with cancer.

She crafted her own crocheted pocket elephants to sell online, raising funds for research.

Through these small acts, she showed incredible selflessness and compassion, thinking of others even while battling her own illness.

Her final months were some of the most challenging, yet her spirit shone brighter than ever.

In October 2021, Violet sadly passed away, surrounded by her loving family.

Her journey left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

Colleen said, “Cancer may have stolen a lot from Violet, but it could never take her heart, her joy, or her incredible spirit. She continues to inspire us every day to fight for a future where no child has to face this disease alone.”

Violet’s legacy lives on through her courage, her creativity, and her unwavering love for life.

Her story is a testament to the resilience of children, the dedication of loving families, and the hope that research can one day bring a cure.

In Violet, we see the purest example of bravery, of joy in the face of pain, and of love that endures beyond life itself.

Her life reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there can be light.

Even in the hardest battles, there can be laughter.

And even when time is short, a spirit as fierce and loving as Violet’s can leave a mark that will never fade.

Violet’s journey is more than a story of illness—it is a story of life, love, courage, and legacy.

It is a reminder that every child deserves a chance to live fully, to play, to laugh, and to be loved unconditionally.

Her memory urges us all to act, to support, to fund research, and to fight for a future where children like Violet can survive and thrive.

Violet may no longer be with us, but her heart, her laughter, and her incredible spirit continue to inspire everyone she touched.

She showed the world what it means to live courageously, love unselfishly, and fight tirelessly, no matter the odds.

And in her story, we find the strength to believe, to hope, and to continue the battle against childhood cancer.