Lismore Base Hospital community unites around brave toddler facing heartbreaking Leukaemia diagnosis

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, but a kind-hearted gesture from the staff at Lismore Base Hospital has helped bring some comfort to one “happy-go-lucky” fighter and his family.

Little Liam Maher,2, is facing a shocking leukemia battle.

Well-known Lismore resident Hiep Maher and her family have had their lives turned upside down virtually overnight after a shock diagnosis revealed their toddler Liam had leukaemia.

Now the Lismore Base Hospital community has rallied behind the “happy-go-lucky” fighter.

Little Liam, 2, was celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday with parents Hiep and Steve when he was suddenly unable to walk.

Rushing him to the hospital, doctors soon diagnosed the young boy with acute myeloid leukaemia in every parent’s worst nightmare.

According to friend and co-worker Shaen Springall, the family barely had time to “pack a bag and go from the emergency to Queensland Children’s Hospital” in Brisbane.

The shock diagnosis was one many, including Mr Springall, couldn’t believe.

“They’re a very very close family and super dedicated to Liam,” he said.

“Liam was born with Down’s syndrome and they are the most supportive, encouraging family you could come across. They’ve done everything they could to give Liam the best.

“It’s just horrible that this has happened.”

Beginning chemotherapy treatments on Wednesday, Mr Springall said Liam was coping well, “smiling and laughing” despite it all.

“He’s just an extremely happy-go-lucky kind of fellow, even with so much going on for him,” he said.

Little Liam Maher,2, is facing a shocking leukemia battle.

However, the Brisbane-based chemotherapy treatment was expected to last six months, leaving Hiep and Steve without work in the interim.

It was why Mr Springall decided to step up and create a GoFundMe for the family.

At the time of publishing, the fundraiser had already seen a groundswell of interest.

“I think we can all understand and empathise what it would be like going through that with a child so young,” Mr Springall said.

“We’re a fairly big family (at Lismore Base Hospital) and we all like to support each other.

“And everyone knows Hiep, she’s a bit of a larger than life character, her laughter fills the whole ward, and everyone’s attached to her family.

“It was the least we could so they don’t have to think about money, it should be the last thing to worry about at the moment.”

Mr Springall had also contacted Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and Page MP Kevin Hogan to help out the Maher family.

To donate to the fundraiser, head here.