The school has supported several children through childhood cancer over the years – some of whom have beaten the disease, while others have sadly lost their lives.
The Wig Wednesday fundraiser event at Henry Hill School.
Tyler’s mum, Kelly Hill, recalled how quickly their lives changed when Tyler was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in September 2021 shortly before his ninth birthday.
Doctors also discovered tiny secondary cancer nodules in his lungs, some no bigger than grains of salt.
The family had to travel from Napier to Auckland during the Covid-19 lockdown so Tyler could receive treatment at Starship children’s hospital.
He underwent three months of chemotherapy before doctors amputated his leg, including his knee and femur. He then faced another six months of chemotherapy.
Kelly said it was a constant cycle of going back and forth to Starship.
At the end of treatment, the family had 14 months of remission.
But the cancer in Tyler’s lungs remained a concern, requiring regular trips back to Auckland and further surgeries to try to remove the nodules.
Eventually, there were simply too many and he was given about nine months to live. He survived three months.
“He was always happy. It took a lot for Tyler to tell us he was in pain,” Kelly said.
“People didn’t always know he was sick because he always had that smile on his face.”
For the family, the Child Cancer Foundation was a constant source of support throughout their darkest days.
“Having the family support co-ordinators there helped us so much,” Kelly said.
“We could talk to them, ask questions and just have someone who understood what we were going through.”
The Child Cancer Foundation also provided petrol vouchers, practical assistance and grief counselling for the family.
“And they were there for us as a family too, including helping us navigate our relationship as a couple and the grief that came afterwards.”
Kelly said the family, including her partner and Tyler’s father, Jarred Gray, also appreciated the school’s efforts to remember their son.
She said it was an amazing school.
“They have done a lot for Tyler while he was a student, and even still now.
“They planted a tree in memory of him when he passed, they put a little Lego man of him on his school house in the hall, and they still remember him, and that’s awesome for my daughter because she really misses him – they were really close.”
Tyler’s experience has also shaped the direction of Kelly’s life. She is now studying to become a hospital play specialist – a role she saw first-hand during Tyler’s treatment and care at Ronald McDonald House.
“He is my motivation,” she said.
To support the Child Cancer Foundation donate via wigwednesday.org.nz or text WIG to 3457 to donate $3.