Launceston mother’s mission to raise awareness of pediatric cancer after losing her baby son

A Launceston mum noticed some very subtle changes in her six-month-old son. Three months later, he died in her arms. Now she’s on a mission to raise awareness of childhood cancer.

Launceston mother-of-four Maddy McKenna with daughter Hazel Stiboy, is sharing her heartbreaking story of losing son Archie to raise awareness and funds for research into pediatric cancer. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“No parent should have to bury a child … No mother should have to bury a son.”

In 2022, Maddy McKenna sat in her son’s hospital room, chilled to the bone by what she knew was happening just one wall away.

“To sit in the room knowing that next door there’s your child dying and there is nothing you can do, it’s your worst nightmare,” the mum-of-four said.

Archie during treatment in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

This is the agonising reality parents of sick children live and witness in hospitals around Australia, and the world Ms McKenna was plunged into when her six-month-old son Archie got sick.

“I remember feeling like my heart was going to explode out of my chest when the doctors told me what was wrong with Archie,” Ms McKenna said.

“He was a bit fussy a week before the diagnosis, so we thought he had a dairy allergy when I found a lump in his belly.

“We were only meant to go to hospital for a hernia confirmation, not a cancer diagnosis.”

At only six and a half months old, Archie was diagnosed with a rare liver tumour that had already spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.

Three months later, Archie passed away in his mother’s arms.

“I wish it were all a bad dream, I miss him so much,” she said.

“No amount of time will ever make it make sense.

“It doesn’t get easier. If anything, it gets harder once the shock wears off. Every Christmas, birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day – just every day of my life – I think about the little boy who should be running and jumping around, enjoying life.”

Launceston mother-of-four Maddy McKenna with daughter Hazel Stiboy. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

In April 2023, nearly one year after losing Archie, Ms McKenna and her partner welcomed her baby daughter Hazel Stiboy.

“I wish they could have known one another,” she said.

“She’s shown me that grief and happiness can both exist in my life after losing Archie.”

This September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research into pediatric cancer.

Launceston mother-of-four Maddy McKenna's tattoo of a golden ribbon in memory of her son Archie. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

By sharing her heartbreaking story, Ms McKenna hopes to shine a light on the Australian families that face the devastating news that their child has cancer.

“We hear a lot about cancer in adults, and even adolescents, but not much about it affecting babies,” she said.

“Sadly, our family isn’t the only one. This disease affects so many children and their families, and there’s still not a definitive cure.

“Even just sharing things really helps to create awareness. Just be loud about it. It doesn’t have to be about donations, though they help.”