Hamish needs his family

$8,795 donated

Given by 100 generous donors in around 9 months

The McLaughlin family had their world turned upside down in July when little two-year-old Hamish was rushed to Starship Hospital.

Waikato

+5 images

Hamish is now fighting a brave battle against a rare form of leukemia. This page is to help dad Patrick, mum Haley and big brother Elliott stay in Auckland with Hamish during his treatment and focus their energy on supporting him.

In June Hamish developed pneumonia and was admitted to Waikato Hospital where bloods showed abnormal blast cells (an indication of leukemia). Doctors put this down to infection and were hopeful it would disappear.

After a month of weekly blood tests daycare noticed a lump on his cheek which was initially put down to swollen glands. But a few days later the rapid growth was alarming and Hamish returned to Waikato Hospital where paediatricians put all the signs together. The family was instructed to head straight to Starship Hospital in Auckland where they have been ever since.

Hamish has been diagnosed with the rare Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). To make things even trickier, he has a 'one-of-a-kind' form that has puzzled Drs throughout the world. Because it hasn't been seen before makes the course of treatment unsure, so the need for this family to stay together is even stronger.

After completing at least three rounds of chemotherapy Hamish will undergo a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately there has been no full bone marrow match found for Hamish on the worldwide bone marrow register which means that he will undergo a half-matched bone marrow transplant from either Haley or Patrick.

Home now for the family is between oncology ward at Starship Hospital where Hamish spends 95% of his time and Ronald McDonald House. Jobs, school and life have been put on hold to allow daily visits to see Hamish, this being one of the best medicines for him. Elliott turned five recently and started school at Ronald McDonald House. Some days he is the only student which means they have to find ways for him to interact with other children.

Hamish is a little champ and with the positive strength of his family is being super brave. Chemo is intense and the side effects profound and after getting through this they still have the battle of the transplant. We are hoping to raise funds to allow Patrick, Haley and Elliott to be with Hamish through this journey.

Any contribution you can make to this amazing family would be hugely appreciated.

Megan Wetere's involvement (page creator)

As friends of Haley and Pats, we know how close this family is and how great the need is to be able to stay together to keep Hamish strong.

One Year On.... 28 June 2017

10th June marks one year since the McLaughlin’s were first told their little Hamish had blast cells showing in his bloods.

It took exactly another month, on the 10th July, that they were transferred to Starship and their lives changed. They have had a year of ups and downs, many challenging moments, but also happy times to.

Hamish is now on day 83 since his second bone marrow transplant and although he was discharged from Starship to Ronald McDonald House in Auckland, he has since had a couple of admissions with some worrying signs.

During the second admission they were looking for a hidden infection, so Hamish endured more MRI and CT scans. Luckily nothing came of these and he bounced back and was able to return to Ronald McDonald House.

He has developed a bit of GVH (Graft vs Host Disease) so has been on steroids to help correct this and this has allowed him to put on the weight he had been losing. His taste buds have definitely returned and he is continually eating so as you can imagine the Givealittle money is coming in handy as he has expensive tastes!

With the bloods looking good and Hamish in full spirits the family is looking forward to finally being back together in Hamilton.

Although they are nearing the end of this chapter, Hamish will have many more appointments in Starship, numerous blood tests, undergo drug allergy testing (as this has been a problem throughout), be re-immunised (this is at least a year down the track) and of course we all keep our fingers crossed that this second bone marrow stays grafted and the leukaemia stays away.

The family would like to thank all of you who have followed their journey so far and helped in the many different ways. As they continue into their next chapter there will continue to be costs and, with Hamish not being able to return to daycare for over a year, they will be looking at other ways that Hamish can have social interactions with others.

They will have a ‘new normal’ but are looking forward to spending some much needed valuable time together and plan to appreciate every special little moment.

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