Sister's support a tonic for Regan

Kathryn King | 11th March 2010

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SIBLING SUPPORT: Sarah Robertson is a staunch friend and supporter of brother Regan, 13, who is battling bone cancer.

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When Sarah Robertson found out her brother had cancer she didn't know what it was.

Regan, 13, was last year diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, after a large tumour under his knee was found to be cancerous.

By the time it was discovered, the cancer had spread, and a large portion of his leg bone had to be surgically removed. It was replaced by an internal artificial limb from mid-thigh, which will be lengthened as he grows.

Regan's cancer had a huge impact on his family, particularly his 10-year-old sister Sarah, to whom, despite his reluctance to admit it, he is "really close", Regan's mum Leanne Harrison said.

"You don't imagine that anyone you know will ever get it, let alone a child," Mrs Harrison said.

In the beginning, it was all a bit confusing for Sarah, who now knows a lot more about cancer than your average 10-year-old.

"I thought [when he was diagnosed] cancer was just something that made your hair fall out and that it only happened to old people."

Not long after Regan was diagnosed, Sarah was allowed to stay in Regan's room and keep him company overnight while he was in hospital. She has also attended the Child Cancer Foundation's (CCF) Siblings Camp for children with siblings affected by cancer.

And she was one of the first Wanganui children to receive her own string of "sibling beads", much like her brother's treatment beads.

Sarah was sent to stay with her nana while her mum accompanied Regan to Auckland for the duration of his treatment, during which time she missed her
family, she said.

Now happy to see her brother home and back to school, Sarah, who attends Faith Academy, is hoping her story will encourage people to donate during Child Cancer Foundation Appeal week which coniues until Sunday.

Mrs Harrison will be on the streets on Friday with other collectors taking donations for CCF.

"The support that we've had from CCF has been fantastic, and without the donations that people give their job would be so much harder. They helped us with petrol, airfares, camps, they are just a really worthwhile cause."

Support the Child Cancer Foundation by giving a donation or purchasing a $5 supporters bead bracelet from street collectors. Bracelets are also available from Farmers or online at childcancer.org.nz

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