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Chase Wallace is a bundle of energy! He’s funny, cheeky, and determined.

That determination has seen him through a shock leukaemia diagnosis at age four and more than two years of chemotherapy.

Last week there were smiles all-round when now 6-year-old Chase celebrated his final round of chemotherapy. He was surrounded by family, friends and his biggest fans – his nurses and doctors at Albury Wodonga Health. One of his nurses – Chase’s Paediatric Cancer Care Coordinator - even dialled in from a holiday in Bali, just so she could be part of the occasion.

For Chase’s mum Shana, the day marked a milestone in what has been an exhausting and challenging two years.

‘Our lives changed in an instant back in October 2022,’ Shana said. ‘I took Chase to the hospital thinking he might have a hernia. The doctors did a blood test, and within a day we were on our way to Melbourne for cancer treatment.’

Chase was diagnosed with T-cell leukaemia and started on a clinical trial specifically targeted at T-cell leukaemia.

‘It was such a shock,’ Shana said. ‘Chase is our fourth child, and none of our kids had spent a day in hospital up to that point. Chase looked perfectly healthy, and I remember asking: ‘Are you sure?’

‘As it turned out, we had actually caught the leukaemia early, when only 68 per cent of Chase’s bone marrow was compromised.

‘We suddenly found ourselves having to make some big decisions about how to manage this life-changing event.

‘When we got to Melbourne, Chase underwent a lumbar puncture and had the first of 36 anaesthetics.

‘At the same time, Mark and I were having to decide how to manage work, a home we had only moved into a few months before and our other three kids – Letitia, Kayden and Desiree.

‘In the months and years that followed, we spent a lot of time driving between Melbourne and Wodonga with the aim of being there for all the kids as much as possible, prioritising their connection with each other, and making things as normal as we could.’

Despite the ups and downs of treatment – which have been many - Chase has remained positive.

‘Chase has done cancer with a smile on his face,’ Shana said.

‘It hasn’t taken his spirit or his personality. It has only amplified it.

‘For us, the light at the end of the tunnel has just started to appear.

‘Chase will be officially in remission as of July 17 when he will ring the bell at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne to signal the successful end of his treatment.’

Shana, Mark and their children have been supported on their cancer journey by a community of friends, family, nurses and doctors.

‘This experience has shown us what ‘community’ really is,’ said Shana. ‘It’s the people who have rallied behind us and created a village to help us get through.

‘We have been supported along the way by our Paediatric Cancer Care Coordinator and all the staff on the kids ward here at Albury Wodonga Health.’

A party to celebrate Chase’s final treatment was held in the kids ward at Albury Wodonga Health last week.

AWH CEO Bill Appleby said he and the AWH team were privileged to be part of Chase’s journey.

‘We have been able to ensure that Chase and his family have had access to specialised care close to home, without the added burden of travel,’ Mr Appleby said.

‘The Cancer Care Coordinator Program plays a critical role in supporting children like Chase and their families throughout their treatment.

‘Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this program continues to evolve - ensuring that more children like Chase can receive exceptional care closer to home.

‘Our dedicated team works closely with families, making sure they have access to the right services, information, and emotional support every step of the way.

‘Congratulations to Chase and your amazing family!’