Sunshine Coast Grammar School student Hayden Price dies from melanoma

A Sunshine Coast school has acknowledged the loss of one of its year 4 students following his death from a rare cancer.

A Sunshine Coast school has acknowledged the loss of one of its students in a touching social media post that also asks any donations go to Queensland’s only children’s hospice.

Sunshine Coast Grammar year 4 student Hayden Price died on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 after battling a rare melanoma for about two years.

On October 11, 2022, the school shared a social media post that acknowledged the loss of Hayden.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our student and dear friend, Hayden Price,” the post stated.

“We continue to keep the Price family in our thoughts and prayers.

“We thank God for the gift of Hayden’s presence at our school and for the memories that we will always carry with us.”

The post also stated that in lieu of flowers, the family had asked for donations to Hummingbird House in Hayden’s honour.

Hummingbird House is Queensland’s only children’s hospice that provides palliative care services to babies, children and young people.

Its website states it has a facility in Brisbane and also offers home services.

In March, 2021, the Price family shared their story with The Courier-Mail.

At the time, Hayden’s mum Liza Price said that it did not cross her mind that a cancer diagnosis was possible.

She said the schoolboy had a cancer that spread to his lymph nodes and that the sub type melanoma was not sun-related and made up only one per cent of all melanomas.

The Price family also joined the Melanoma Institute Australia as part of its Melanoma March campaign.

The not-for-profit organisation posted to social media on October 8, 2022, saying its team was “deeply saddened” by Hayden’s death.

“Even during their toughest of times they were committed to helping change the future for others, inspiring schoolmates and communities from Singapore to Australia to do the same,” Melanoma March’s post said.

“The thoughts of all us at Melanoma Institute Australia are with Hayden’s parents, his brothers, his wider family and friends.”

More than 400 people reacted to the post with many leaving condolences for the family.

“I’m so sorry for Hayden, his parents, family and friends,” one said.

“Melanoma is an insidious disease and is so cruel.

“My heart aches for you all.”

Hayden Price died on October 4, 2022. Picture supplied

In a letter to Sunshine Coast Grammar School parents and students, principal Anna Owen said the school was providing support to students, families and staff.

Hayden is survived by his mum and dad and two older brothers.

Last year, when the Queensland Police Service became aware of Hayden’s story, it also held a “Specialist Junior Constable” induction for him.

The Price family had travelled to Brisbane from Singapore for Hayden to undergo medical treatment and the police organised the ceremony for the boy upon the family’s release from their Covid-19 hotel quarantine.

Held on May 28, 2021, Hayden was met by Senior Constable Clancy the Koala and Assistant Commissioner Brian Swan at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

Assistant Commissioner Swan presented Hayden with his certificate of appointment, signed by Commissioner Katarina Carroll, along with his special junior constable police badge and ID wallet as the police pipes and drums band played for him.