Toddler Darius Parsons from faces uphill battle for survival

He was diagnosed with cancer at five weeks of age and spent the majority of his life in hospital but, despite beating the cruel disease once, Darius Parsons is back in the fight at the age of just three.

Boyne Island resident Darius Parsons was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2025. He was previously diagnosed with the same illness in 2021 at just five weeks old.

It’s hard to imagine being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness once in your life, let alone as a baby, then again as a toddler.

Meet Darius Parsons of Boyne Island, the little fighter who beat off Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) after being diagnosed when he was only five weeks of age.

The blood and bone marrow cancer affects white blood cells and is more common in children than adults.

Parents Sarah and Stewart Parsons had their life up-ended in 2021 and were forced to relocate to Brisbane for two years so Darius could undergo intensive chemotherapy at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Darius with his mum Sarah and brothers Jamahl and Javan during Darius’s first stint in hospital. Picture contributed.

His tiny body endured it all and finally after much treatment he was well enough to return home in 2024.

Life had returned to normal for the family until things took a turn for the worst once again this year.

In January during a routine appointment, the Parsons were told their little boy had relapsed.

The family, including dad, pregnant mum and Darius’s two older brothers, travelled to Brisbane once again so Darius could undergo another fight for life.

Darius Parsons was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged five weeks.

“He begun three consecutive days of cranial radiation,” mum Sarah said.

In May he was put in isolation to undergo full-body and cranial radiation — twice daily for three days — under general anaesthesia.

Incredibly, Sarah gave birth to Darius’s baby sister while he was being treated.

“I was induced so that her umbilical cord blood could be collected for potential use as a stem cell donor,” Sarah said.

Sadly, they were not suitable due to incomplete DNA formation but in a positive turn of events Darius’s father Stewart was able to have his marrow transplanted.

The Parsons family, including Darius in the middle with the blue shirt, in December, 2024. Pic: Contributed

“Without the bone marrow transplant Darius wouldn’t have survived long term,” Sarah said.

But this time around it has been a tough battle with the disease taking a bigger toll on the toddler.

Alongside the cancer, Darius has been diagnosed with Enterovirus Encephalitis (inflammation and swelling in the brain’s mid-region), Graft-versus-host disease, Cryptosporidium infection, which has since cleared, and spots on the spleen likely related to complications due to infections.

Darius Parsons was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2025. He was previously diagnosed with the same illness in 2021.

“Due to the severity of his complications and prolonged time in intensive care, Darius has lost the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, and perform basic functions,” she said.

“Once medically stable, he will require extensive rehabilitation to relearn all of these skills.”

Due to the severe neurological complications, Darius has also had trouble eating and drinking and has suffered uncontrollable muscle spasms.

In turn, he also suffers from uncontrolled eye movement, severe headaches and neck stiffness, requiring daily bed baths because of an inability to move independently.

Darius’s situation is volatile as this week he was incubated in ICU because he is struggling to breathe.

Darius Parsons was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2025. He was previously diagnosed with the same illness in 2021 at just five weeks. Pictured with (from left) with big brother Jamahl holding Darius's younger sister Veronica, and second big brother Javan.

The family remain hopeful his condition will improve now that his donor white blood cells are functioning.

“We are by his side 24 hours a day at the hospital,” Sarah said.

Along with undertaking rotating shifts, family members are also raising money to help with the recovery.

This includes $5,000 via “100 sit-ups a day challenge” by Darius’s uncle, Nathan Parsons.

Throughout his entire ordeal, Darius Parsons family have been by his side, with his immediate family doing rotating shifts. Picture contributed.

Darius’s aunty Naomi Parsons is also fundraising for a reliable and safe vehicle to transport Darius to future appointments.

She is also raising awareness for ALL and will be shaving her head on social media once her goal is reached.

Sarah said the family are thankful for all the support they have received from the community and said they would continue to fight.