Gold Coast brain cancer battler Slater Clifton-Walker fights to the end with superhero party for brain cancer research

Slater's heroic and lengthy battle with brain cancer is coming to an end, but the six-year-old Gold Coast superhero is still saving lives. READ HIS INCREDIBLE STORY.

SLATER Clifton-Walker is a superhero.

The brave six-year-old Labrador boy has spent most of his life fighting an aggressive brain tumour, but tragically his fierce battle is coming to an end.

Slater’s mum Bianca said her son’s tumour was continuing to grow at a rapid pace and he only had a few months to live, with no other treatment options available.

“He’s now completely lost his hearing, and while he finds this frustrating, continues to wake up every day singing. He’s deteriorated a lot recently and is getting quite frustrated and angry which is absolutely heartbreaking.

“We wonder if he’s starting to feel really alone, and we’re worried he doesn’t know why we aren’t fixing him.”

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Luke Kenelley – Deputy Principal, Musgrave Hill State School with Slater Clifton-Walker on his Hero Day fundraiser for brain cancer research

But forever a fighter, little Slater is determined to keep making special memories with his family and friends for as long as he can.

To honour the Gold Coaster’s incredible resilience and raise vital funds for brain cancer research, Musgrave Hill State School threw the youngster a Hero Day for Slater on Friday.

Classmates dressed as their favourite superhero and Slater’s much-loved police and firefighters turned up in uniform in support.

QPS Officers (Public Safety Response Team) Russell Satour, Alison Schulze, Aaron Izzard and Jason Butler with Slater Clifton-Walker on his Hero Day fundraiser for brain cancer research

Also throwing their weight behind the cause were ironmen Ali Day and Matt Poole, ironwoman Georgia Miller, Olympic swimmer James Roberts and sprinter Bree Masters.

Ms Walker said the fundraiser was important not only for Slater to be a part of, but for his legacy.

“Slater has been so incredibly brave through his entire treatment, the way he’s handled the past few months has been nothing short of inspiring, and now we are just taking in every moment with him,” she said.

Batman with Slater Clifton-Walker at his Hero day fundraiser for brain cancer research

“At the end of the day, he truly wants to help other kids who might be in the same position as him, and we are so grateful for Musgrave Hill State School for helping him to achieve that.”

Slater was only 18 months when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour – ependymoma posterior fossa – and he’s spent long periods of time in hospital fighting the insidious disease.

Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Rosie Simpson said brain cancer killed more Australian children than any other disease, killing one child every nine days.

“We are so proud to be putting in the work to change this statistic by applying the best minds to brain cancer research.”

Bianca Walker with her beloved 6yo son Slater Clifton-Walker

“We couldn’t do what we do without the support from our community and seeing everyone come together for Slater – who truly is the most special and vivacious little boy – brings more hope to the researchers and the families facing this disease than people could begin to imagine.”

To donate, visit  www.childrensbraincancer.org.au/fundraisers/slater 

Lyall and Lynne Walker with their grandson Slater Clifton-Walker.

Moment sick Coast boy meets heroes

July 5, 2019

By Talisa Eley

FOUR-year-old Slater Clifton has had a tougher start to life than most, but with an infectious smile and boisterous personality, you would be forgiven for thinking he was just a regular little boy.

Slater has spent more than half of his short life in doctors’ surgeries and hospital wards, subjected to aggressive and sometimes experimental treatments in a bid to save his life.

He was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 17 months old. Doctors have given him devastatingly slim odds of surviving until his seventh birthday.

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Four-year-old Slater Clifton of Labrador with mum Bianca Walker. Picture Glenn Hampson

Slater’s mum Bianca Walker said it was “soul-shattering and heartbreaking” to know her only child was facing such a grave future.

“Nothing can take away the torment and pain I suffer every day knowing my little boy has, at best, a 10 to 20 per cent chance of surviving the next three years,” she said.

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“At times, when I’ve felt so full of hope that he’s going to beat this, the oncologist has had to pull me aside and bring me back to reality.”

Slater tells his mum every day how much he loves the Queensland Police.

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Slater makes friends with dog handler Nick Donald and Hondo. Picture Glenn Hampson

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“When he grows up he wants to be a policeman and for me that’s something that’s a bit hard to hear because the truth is he won’t get to be,” she said.

“Even if he’s lucky enough to get to seven, the truth is he’s not going to beat this cancer. It is aggressive and it will come back.”

So when police from the Coomera station and local firefighters invited the youngster to join them for a day as a junior recruit, it was a dream come true.

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Constable Zoe Tidswell with Slater Clifton. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We got an email from a colleague asking if an officer could go out and meet Slater at home, and we thought, no, let’s make a day of this!” Constable Zoe Tidswell said.

“In a couple of days everyone’s come together, we wanted to make the best day ever for him, he deserves it.”

Slater’s eyes lit up as he explored the police vehicles, met the dog squad and even got to go for a ride in the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services cherry picker.

Slater also got to be a fireman for some of the day. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I love heights!” he bravely yelled as fireman Michael Richardson took him up in the bucket.

“He was awesome,” Mr Richardson said later. “He wasn’t scared at all, actually he wanted to go higher.”

Ms Walker said she was “overwhelmed” to see her boy’s biggest wish fulfilled.

“It means the world to us. It melts my heart to see him so happy,” she said.

“He’s about to undergo some really terrible tests so this will really help to get him through it. We won’t stop hearing about this for a very long time.”

Constable Zoe Tidswell, Slater Clifton and Senior Constable Georgia Sutton in the police Rhino. Picture Glenn Hampson

Ms Walker said doctors were currently able to keep several remaining pieces of tumour in his brain stable, including a large growth around his brain stem, and more affecting his hearing.

Doctors predict he will go deaf in the future. He cannot swallow and they have told his mother he might never eat again, instead using a feeding tube.

The family has started a fundraiser to support Slater and his mum.

To donate: www.gofundme.com/slatersfightagainstbraincancer