Henry Ziotas, 7, fighting rare and aggressive cancer

After a fall in the playground, a Mount Duneed boy noticed a lump on his stomach. He was then diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

Henry Ziotas, 7, from Mount Duneed has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Picture: Supplied

A Mount Duneed boy is facing the fight of his life after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

During the last week of term four last year, Henry Ziotas, 7, fell over in the playground and landed on his tummy.

His family noticed a lump on his stomach and he was in “immense pain.”

Henry was then taken to the emergency department at University Hospital Geelong and after being assessed by doctors, was referred to The Royal Children’s Hospital.

After numerous scans and biopsies, Henry was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive and rare form of cancer, just before Christmas last year.

Henry Ziotas, 7, from Mount Duneed has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Picture: Supplied

Family friend Lauren Poulton said the Ziotas family was “shattered” by the news.

“It was an absolute shock to the family because they had no idea up until that day that something like this was going on,” she said.

Sadly, on Thursday last week, doctors found more cancer in little Henry’s body.

He now has secondary neuroblastoma growths in the bones in his right leg, both of his lungs, left lymph node and spine and will undergo a “whole new round of intense treatment.”

Henry’s mum, Steph Ziotas, said her son was doing well, considering the circumstances.

“At the moment Henry is between treatment cycles and he is feeling quite well, making jokes with the doctors and being his usual cheeky self,” Ms Ziotas said.

Henry Ziotas, 7, from Mount Duneed has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Pictured with dad, George, mum, Steph, and sister, Sophie, 10. Picture: Supplied

Ms Poulton, along with family friends Amber Deglia and Kim Dugan, have started a GoFundMe page for the Ziotas family to relieve some of the financial pressure.

Ms Ziotas may have to stop working in order to be with her son.

“No one wants to choose between spending time with your sick child and working,” Ms Poulton said.

“We hope the money can provide a means for them to be with Henry … we want them to be able to spend every moment they can with him.”

Ms Ziotas said: “We are so grateful for the support of the community, our school and friends. “The fact that so many people have offered so much is more than we could have imagined,” she said.

Henry’s treatment plan is long and complicated, but Ms Ziotas said the doctors are going to throw everything they have at it.

To support the Ziotas family, click here.

Originally published as Henry Ziotas, 7, fighting rare and aggressive cancer