Starlight Children's Foundation: Terrigal’s Rohan Lord conquers cancer

He’s conquered an aggressive form of cancer, had 211 days off school and is a champion of the game Who Farted. Rohan Lord is ready to get back to school, surfing and take on the world.

Rohan Lord is excited to get back to school and surfing, pictured with his parents Mike and Kate Lord at Terrigal Beach. Picture: Sue Graham

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Terrigal’s Rohan Lord is returning to school this week with the biggest smile on his face.

The 8-year-old is excited to see his mates and start Year 3 at Terrigal Public School after a whopping 211 days off school.

Rohan and his family’s world was turned upside down last November when Rohan was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer known as Burkitt’s lymphoma which had wrapped around his appendix and bowel.

His parents Kate and Mike quickly noticed something was very wrong and Rohan started treatment before the cancer spread.

Rohan on the phone to a Starlight Captain.

Rohan undergoing treatment at the hospital in Westmead.

“Luckily we got it in time. The cancer is known to spread up to the brain,” Mr Lord said.

“Another two weeks and we would have caught it too late.”

For the past seven months Rohan has undergone intensive treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and is excited to report he is in remission and keen to get back to school and surfing with the North Avoca Boardriders.

With the gruelling treatment along with operations and lumber punctures, there was a special part of Rohan’s journey that stands out – the Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight.

“The Starlight room has arts and crafts, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo and you can watch movies,” he said.

Rohan and his mum and dad Kate and Mike having a laugh in hospital.

If Rohan couldn’t get to the Starlight Express Room, the Captains came to his room or called him on the phone.

“They do quizzes on the phone and they also drop stuff off to you like stickers and books,” he said.

He said he was particularly good at a game called Who Farted where you have to guess which celebrity did a fart.

However, Rohan said the most special thing about Starlight was the wish.

“You wish for something and then write it down in a book and send it to Starlight. My wish is to go and see the Fremantle Dockers and meet them,” he said.

The brave 8-year-old is now in remission.

COVID-19 restrictions have put Rohan’s wish on hold at this stage but he is excited for it to happen in the future.

“Starlight needs people to donate money to make wishes come true,” he said.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation Tax Appeal is running until June 30.

The Foundation needs support to keep its hospital services running – especially with visitor restrictions tightened – and continue to bring happiness to seriously ill and immune-compromised children. Click here to donate.