Echuca’s Hannah Warde fighting horrible cancer diagnosis

More than $12,000 has been raised for a five-year-old Echuca girl diagnosed with cancer. Find out how you can help.

Hannah from Echuca's GoFundMe fundraiser.

Hannah Steane was like any other six-year-old girl.

She loved art and crafts, Timezone, and playing with her friends and her family.

She was excited to start her first year of school at Echuca Primary, and was looking forward to making new friends.

But on December 9 that all changed when her mum Katika Warde noticed a lump on the back of her calf. It was cancer, a tumor deep in her muscle, that had spread to her bones.

“It was a Friday night after work,” Ms Warde said.

“We were around at mum and dad's having dinner, and I noticed Hannah’s calf was looking really big. I started freaking out."

Ms Warde rushed her daughter to Echuca Regional Health, and after tests and x-rays doctors transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

It was three days before Christmas when doctor's confirmed her worst fears.

“We were told it was cancer and it had spread to her bones,” she said.

 

 

Hannah Warde is remaining positive throughout her treatment. Picture: GoFundMe.

Ms Warde, her partner Josh Steane, their little girl Paige, 2, and Hannah have been living in Melbourne since.

On January 4 Hannah underwent surgery and had two bone marrow and bone biopsies. She had a dual port inserted for intravenous chemotherapy treatments, as well as a feeding tube.

January 12 was her first cycle and she spent two nights in hospital with mucositis on February 3. She will have nine rounds of chemotherapy in 21-day cycles.

“She’s been up and down,” Ms Warde said.

“She’s vomits a lot, can’t keep anything down and doesn’t want to eat or drink.

“She has a feeding tube in 24/7 ... It’s been heartbreaking but what can you do?”

Hannah has also been incredibly brave, her mum said.

“She’s always been very funny behind closed doors. She would do anything to make anyone laugh but in front of people she is so shy,” Ms Warde said.

“She’s a mummy’s girl.”

Hannah will spend the next six months in and out of hospital with chemotherapy and blood transfusions. When the tumor shrinks, it will be removed.

“We are blown away with the generosity, support and kind words from everyone for our Hannah," Ms Warde said.

“We are honestly lost for words, and so grateful.”

To support Hannah, click here.