9-year-old Nicholas’ story is one of extraordinary strength and resilience, and one that has shaped him into a true fighter.
Growing up in Narrogin, a small country town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, Nicholas’ childhood consisted of endless outdoor adventures alongside his family; Mum (Alana), Dad (Scott), and older brother, Blaise.
Together, they enjoyed camping trips, sports, and the comforts of everyday life. Their life was simple, just the way they liked it.
That was until one fateful day in April 2024, when a series of nosebleeds resulted in a trip to their local emergency.
After numerous tests and hours upon hours spent in the waiting room, they were told they would need to get Nicholas to Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) for further testing.
Without hesitation, Alana, Scott and Nicholas jumped in the car and made the 200km journey from Narrogin to Perth, arriving late that night.
By 12pm the following day, their worst fears were confirmed, Nicholas had cancer.
My body went cold. I was in shock, Alana recalls.
Life as they knew it changed in an instant, and without a moment to process what was going on around him, Nicholas was thrust into treatment to give him the best possible chance to fight for his life.
In the months that followed, Nicholas endured round after round of gruelling treatment for Acute Myloid Leukaemia, a rare genetic form of blood cancer.
The nature of his condition meant that with every round of chemotherapy, he was required to stay in an isolation room in the hospital.
He would see all the other kids in oncology moving around whilst he wasn’t allowed out. It was a struggle for him to understand that his cancer was special, which is why he wasn’t allowed to leave the room, says Alana.
At one stage, his chances of beating cancer dropped to 50%.
It got to the point where if I closed my eyes at night, I was planning my son’s funeral. Because when you get told it’s cancer, you think that’s it. He’s gone.
Although Nicholas spent the majority of his fight in PCH, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA (RMHC WA) became the family’s home away from home during the toughest time of their lives.
In between treatments, Nicholas would join his family at Ronald McDonald House on Park where they could focus on what matters most; being together.
For over 260 nights, RMHC WA provided more than just a roof over their head and food on the table; it provided a lifeline.
RMHC WA saved us as a family. Without it, we would have been homeless.
After 9 long months of fighting for his life, Nicholas was given the all-clear at the start of 2025 and has since returned home to Narrogin.
Throughout his entire journey, Nicholas fought with incredible strength and resilience, never allowing the challenges he faced to dim his bright spirit.
His unwavering positivity, even in the toughest moments, has left a lasting impression on all those he met along the way.
While Nicholas is back home now, his journey is ongoing, with regular trips to Perth for continued treatment and care.
Through it all, RMHC WA will remain a constant support for the family, providing a home away from home for as long or as often as they need it.
It’s through your support of Ride for Sick Kids WA that RMHC WA can continue to be there for families like Nicholas’ when they need it most.
