Ipswich Mum’s Xmas toy drive in memory of son claimed by cancer

An Ipswich Mum whose son was tragically claimed by leukaemia has begun a Christmas toy drive to remember him, and help other children with cancer.

Ipswich Mum Belinda Whiting has started a Christmas toy drive to honour the memory of her son, Colby, who died after a four-year battle with leukaemia.

Colby became a minor celebrity during his brave struggle, with everyone from B105 personality “Stav’’ and hairdressing tycoon Stefan to the Broncos popping in for visits.

Colby’s six birthday party, held just before he died in 2011, was a massive event complete with a fire engine and residents from the Wellington Point area, where the Whitings lived at the time.

Ms Whiting held toy drives for the first two years after Colby’s death but put the tradition on hold after the birth of son Ashton, who has autism.

Now Ashton is older she has resumed the toy drive this Christmas season and is calling on southeast Queenslanders to donate gifts for the Starlight Foundation.

Colby Whiting just before he passed away from leukemia.

Ms Whiting said one of the hardest parts of Colby’s last months was not telling him he was going to die.

“I was not about to do that. As a mother, you’re first instinct is to protect your children,’’ she said.

“I coped by keeping it from him, and it’s also not something a child can really understand.

“I didn’t want to scare him, but having to keep a secret like that was hard.’’

She was interviewed by magazine That’s Life and was also later approached by a TV station to tell that story, but it was too raw and difficult.

Her motherly instinct was what saw Colby diagnosed.

After a childcare worker told her he was very tired and kept falling over, she took him to a GP but was sent home with antibiotics.

Belinda Whiting at the mmeorial plaque for her son.

Another GP did the same, but she persisted and was told the awful news when Colby was still only 22 months old.

“He developed a fever of 41C and on the third doctor’s visit we were told he had an enlarged spleen,’’ she said.

“The doctor said to take him straight away to the Mater hospital and to pack an overnight bag.

“Within three hours they had done a lumbar puncture and did surgery to put in a port.’’

Over the gruelling years to come Colby went into remission twice, winning the family precious extra time together.

But the third round of stem cell and chemotherapy treatments was not successful and Ms Whiting was told to take Colby home and make him comfortable.

Colby Whiting, then aged five, was given a joy flight by Blue Tongue Helicopters pilot Dave Lawrence. Picture: Jason Dougherty/ Sunshine Coast Daily

He could have lived a few months longer if hospital treatment had continued, but Colby and the family had had enough.

“Pretty much everything he could remember in his life was hospital appointments,’’ Ms Whiting said.

“So, without telling him exactly what was going to happen, I asked him if he wanted to stay in hospital or come home. He wanted to go home.

“The funeral was lovely. Stav gave a eulogy — we still see him — and there was a convoy,’’ Ms Whiting said.

“I’m still in contact with some of the Mater nurses on Facebook and saw them at the first two toy drives.’’

Colby and Mum Belinda on the day firefighters turned up to give Colby a boost.

While most donated toys will go to children’s charity the Starlight Foundation, Ms Whiting will take some to the Mater for children in its oncology ward.

She said presents for teenage patients were always harder to source, and toys and gifts needed to be suitable for use while lying in bed.

Due to infection concerns, gifts must be new and in their original packaging.

She is collecting gifts at her Chuwar home, and at her mother’s home in Wellington Point and a sister’s home in Jimboomba.

If you wish to donate, contact Ms Whiting via this link: https://fb.me/e/1LYxorze7

You can also see more about brave little Colby’s life at Ms Whiting’s memorial page for him on Facebook. Search for: In Memory Of Colby.

Stefan (Stefan Ackerie) with Colby, then aged four, and Santa at the Make A Sick Kid Smile toy run.