Little Frankie's leukemia journey

5 year old Frankie has definitely seen more challenges in her short life having being a NICU baby and undergoing heart surgery she has been a warrior from day 1.

Sept 2022 Frankie and her family received the devastating news that she had leukemia, it was an extremely difficult 10 months. Frankie and her Dad, Paul left their home in Blenheim and spent months living between Christchurch hospital & Ronald McDonald House whilst Frankie's mum, Jen, her older brother Oscar and younger sister Charlie made the weekly visits between Blenheim & Christchurch.

In 2023 the family moved to Christchurch. Frankie was doing great, in-between quite a few unexpected hospital stays Frankie showed her strength and bravery, even excited each time she visited hospital to see all the doctors and nurses.

In Nov 2024 they all celebrated 799 days of treatment was finally over and Frankie was clear of leukemia. Frankie enjoyed a fantastic summer playing at home, enjoying the paddling pool and showing everyone her sass and cheekiness wherever she went.

Unfortunately in March 2025 she had relapsed with leukemia. Absolutely heartbroken the family don't have many options to cure her from this terrible disease. As Frankie also has down syndrome, a bone marrow transplant was too high risk option through infections, toxicity and treatment related death it was just too much to put their baby girl through. With no further treatment options, now is the time for them to make memories for the time they have left.