As part of our series on the annual local children’s cancer fundraiser, Shine Like Charli Gala Ball, Tarrawanna sisters, Ashleigh and Amber Larkin, reflect on their family’s experience and the importance of uniting behind this cause.

Words Penny Keogh @eaves_content

When Amber was born, the cruelty of children’s cancer had already firmed its grip on the Larkin family. Her sister Ashleigh was two years old and had been diagnosed with a rare form of muscle cancer, called rhabdomyosarcoma.

It’s a name as complex as the insidious impact it had on the whole family which would reverberate into the future 27 years on. While Ashleigh and Amber are grateful that aggressive treatment of Ashleigh’s Stage 3 cancer assured Ashleigh would survive, the lasting impacts of the treatment and psychological turmoil they faced highlight how important community support and ongoing research into treatment is.

The long-lasting effects mean ongoing support matters

“Cancer doesn’t stop when the treatment ends,” said Ashleigh. “When I had my radiotherapy, I got third degree burns and it also killed off my thyroid.

“The nerve damage still impacts me today; I’ve also had a hip replacement due to the aftereffects. In 2018 I woke up one morning and out of the blue I couldn’t walk.

“The doctors said my nerves have a form of epilepsy and they couldn’t communicate with my brain anymore. I had to re-learn how to walk, write and type. I was in the rehab unit relearning to do everything.

“Now it’s become a big thing for girls as young as 14 to undergo egg removal before they start a treatment because it affects fertility,” said Ashleigh. “Better treatment and support to improve the quality of life of survivors is so important.

“We’re so grateful for everyone who supports the Shine like Charli Ball each year, in any way, helping us support the Children’s Cancer Institute and all the incredible work they do,” said Ashleigh.

“The Shine Like Charli Ball is a way the community can help because fundraising is the biggest thing you can do. There is a light at the end of the tunnel if we all give back.”

— Amber Larkin

The whole family is impacted by children’s cancer

Amber recalls how much the support of others mattered to her and why she gives back to local initiatives like the Shine Like Charli Ball to raise funds for charities like the Children’s Cancer Institute.

“Watching a loved one go through that treatment is hard,” said Amber. “You feel a lot of guilt. Especially when you’re young, being at primary school, people don’t understand. It’s isolating. You can’t take the pain away from them. Also when they’re in hospital you don’t see them or your parents much.

“I think it’s important to look after the family too,” continued Amber. “There’s a higher chance of mental illness for families with children’s cancer. For my Year 12 major society and culture project I looked at the effect of cancer on the whole family.”

Charli’s family joins with the Larkin’s to give back

“That’s why I’ve always been part of Camp Quality, where I now look after the younger kids and their siblings,” continued Amber.

“I know Charli’s family through that. Charli’s sister Chloe is my buddy at Camp Quality. Both she and Charli are so brave. Every time I see Charli she always has a smile on her face. They are one of the kindest families you’ll ever meet. Their generosity is huge.

“I’m inspired about how much they give back,” continued Amber. “They are so transparent and vulnerable. They show both sides of the story, good and bad.”

Down the rabbit hole of childhood cancer

It’s the family’s journey through life and illness that inspired the theme for this year’s Shine Like Charli Ball - Alice in Wonderland.

“Every year brings a new theme which relates to the cancer journey,” said Ashleigh. “Childhood cancer is like Alice in Wonderland, going down the rabbit hole and you don’t know where you’re going.

“The Shine Like Charli Ball is a way the community can help because fundraising is the biggest thing you can do,” said Amber. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel if we all give back.”

Shine Like Charli Gala Ball

Saturday 22 June 2024, from 6pm

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

Dress code: Sparkles, spangles and colour with a dash of wonderland madness

Tickets available online or follow @shine.like.charli