Camp In for Camp Quality supported by family of cancer survivor Hayden Clements

Social distancing, trying to avoid germs and practising good hygiene is nothing new for the family of a Nunawading boy who is battling a brain tumour. Now they’re urging others to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously.

Siblings Hayden, Riley and Carlee are taking part in the Camp In for Camp Quality. Hayden was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was five.

Social distancing is nothing new for Nunawading boy Hayden.

Diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was five, the youngster’s family has been vigilant about keeping him well ever since.

They are careful to try and avoid germs, not share belongings and use hand sanitisers and hand wipes.

Mum Simone Clements said the coronavirus pandemic had given people an understanding of what families who had a loved one with cancer go through.

“COVID-19 has added another level of stress to Hayden’s recovery as keeping him well is our main priority,” Mrs Clements said.

“We were just getting back into some sense of normality and full-time school when the pandemic hit so this has been a set back for us.

“I urge people to continue to take this pandemic seriously as there are many vulnerable people in our communities and we need to take care of each other.”

Mrs Clements said her family had become even more vigilant about keeping Hayden safe during the pandemic.

“Although Hayden is stable, he has recovered quite well given what he has been though, COVID-19 would take its toll if he was to contract it,” she said.

Mrs Clements said they decided to take Hayden out of school when the pandemic began as a precaution, before the State Government decided to close all schools.

He’s now back at school part-time.

Nunawading siblings Carlee, Riley and Hayden are taking part in a fundraiser for Camp Quality.

After Hayden was diagnosed with the brain tumour in 2015, he underwent a year of chemotherapy at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which shrunk the tumour from 4.2cm to 2cm.

The now nine-year-old still attends regular check ups at the hospital.

“Currently in terms of his tumour he has been stable for three years which is fantastic — there hasn’t been any growth,” Mrs Clements said.

However, she said Hayden continues to struggle with after-effects of chemotherapy, including fatigue, hearing loss and double vision.

“But he has gone from complete paralysis on his left side to being able to run, swim, walk and ride his bike — in terms of his general wellbeing we think he’s a little champion,’’ she said.

“There are no guarantees but we are really hopeful that the chemo he endured has been successful.

“The tumour can regrow but given we have hit the three-year mark we are really hopeful that this is something he can live with for the rest of his life.”

The Clements family — including Dad Richard, Hayden’s twin Carlee and older brother Riley, 12 — are taking part in the Camp In for Camp Quality on July 4, to raise money for the charity that supports children with cancer.

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Families are invited to set up tents in bedrooms, living rooms, and backyards across Australia.

The first 1000 participants to raise $100 will receive a $20 Aldi voucher.

Mr Clements said Camp Quality was an amazing organisation that had supported their family in a number of ways.

“They provided us with a distraction through some of our toughest days,” he said.