A special bond

Just before my sixth birthday birthday, I was the first chi child in Australia to beat cancer through a liver transplant. Then two years ago my dad Glen was diagnosed with nose and throat cancer, which was pretty confronting. We’re a positive family and I expected Dad to soldier on like he always has and get on with it. But seeing how much the treatment affected him physically was scary. We went into it convinced we’ll beat this together, but we had to realise there were so many external factors we had no control over.

Putting family first is a value I’ve learned from Dad. He’s always made time for all of us, and I try to do the same. People can complain Dad is stubborn, but I admire that he sticks to his principles. We’ve both got a dark sense of humour, and that’s how we’ve come through challenging times. We’re also the last ones to leave a party!

Dad and I volunteer with Canteen’s Camp Quality, and he’s a camp mentor. Now we work in the same building we can chat at each other’s desks and see each other a lot, which I love. The most I want for Dad is for him to have fun and not have regrets. Rebecca Edmiston, Adelaide Hills, SA