In a further blow two years later, youngest son Samuel, 3, was diagnosed with leukaemia.
“It was difficult emotionally, physically and financially,” she said.
“I wasn’t just worried about Samuel, I was worried about Kristopher and missed his first day at school because I was in hospital with Samuel.
“I missed a lot of milestones with Kristopher and then one day he didn’t want to give me a hug.
“Eventually he said, ‘well, mummy, you don’t love me anymore’, and that was the moment I had to tell him his little brother was really sick. It was so difficult for a five-year-old to understand.”
Christina said when Camp Quality came around, it was a godsend.
“Not only do they help Samuel but Kristopher too,” she said.
“They both go to junior camps and I send them away knowing there’s someone there who’s going to look after them.
“When I pick them up, they have lots of stories and are so happy; there’s none of the sadness of cancer.”
Camp Quality’s Big Walk for Little Kids is in its fourth year and has raised over $5.5 million to change the cancer story for Australian families.
With Paralympic Gold Medallist and childhood cancer survivor Ellie Cole this year’s Big Walk for Little Kids ambassador, the event takes place throughout September – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – and Ellie is calling on everyone to step forward and smash last year’s goal of $2 million.
Walkers who sign up before September 1 will go in the draw to win one of three $1,500 ALDI Australia vouchers.
Find out more at bigwalk.org.au.
