Townsville: 9-year-old Emmett Dollisson diagnosed with leukaemia, community rallies funds

A cheerful nine-year-old boy from Townsville is facing the fight of his life after what his parents initially thought might be chickenpox turned out to be leukaemia. Here’s how you can help.

Emmett Dollisson, 9, has been diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Picture: Supplied

A cheerful nine-year-old boy is facing the fight of his life after what his parents initially thought might be chickenpox turned out to be leukaemia.

When Mount Louisa mum Naomi Dollisson noticed spots on her son Emmett’s stomach last Tuesday, she suspected it might be chickenpox.

However, his temperature remained normal the next day, so they weren’t overly concerned.

Naomi’s cousin, a doctor, suggested checking if the spots were blanching. They weren’t, prompting an emergency visit to Mater Hospital at 7.30am.

After blood tests, a chest X-ray, and an abdominal ultrasound, doctors delivered heartbreaking news: Emmett might have blood cancer.

“I couldn’t speak because Emmett broke down after hearing the word cancer,” Naomi recalled.

By 11am, they were transferred to Townsville University Hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow and can spread to other organs.

Emmett Dollisson, 9, has been diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Picture: Supplied

Plans were swiftly made for Emmett and Naomi to fly to Brisbane that night for further treatment at Queensland Children’s Hospital, where they were soon joined by his dad Ben and little sister Poppy, 7.

“We’re stronger together — we’ve been able to take turns and be there for Emmett through the night in case he wakes up and he’s scared because he just wants to go home,” Naomi said.

Emmett Dollisson, 9, with mum Naomi, dad Ben and sister Poppy, 7. Picture: Supplied

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia affects about 180 Australian children a year, forcing them into a traumatic cycle of chemotherapy treatments that can last years.

Doctors told Emmett’s family his treatment could last up to two and a half years, leaving his parents facing a challenging time ahead as they take time off work to be by his side.

Emmett on the plane down to Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Naomi, who works as a librarian at St Clare’s Catholic School, said she luckily had some leave she could take, but it was harder for Ben, who is self-employed.

Friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign which has already raised more than $31,000 to help the family take time off work and cover their expenses during this challenging time.

Emmett Dollisson, 9, has been diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Picture: Supplied

Naomi was brought to tears as she talked about the generosity that had been shown to them.

“We’re just overwhelmed — we’re so lucky to have a community that’s getting behind us,” she said.

“We were shocked by how much the GoFundMe has made. It just takes the stress out of everything so we can focus on our son.”

There will also be a “Lights on for Emmett” fundraiser cruise on September 7, starting at 4pm from the carpark at Woolly Fleece and ending at PitStop Karting.

You can help here: https://bit.ly/3yQGiRB

Originally published as Townsville: 9-year-old Emmett Dollisson diagnosed with leukaemia, community rallies funds