Violet’s bravery in face of adversity

A brave Albany Creek teenager living with cancer has become the face of a big-name brand to raise funds for other sick kids.

Twelve-year-old Violet Box, is the official ambassador of a BIG W Queensland and Northern NSW fundraising campaign, which is raising money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

She was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma – a cancer often found in the adrenal glands – when she was six years old.

Following months of feeling unwell, unexplained aches and pains and weight loss, doctors found a fist-sized tumour on Violet’s adrenal gland above her left kidney, and on additional spots throughout bones in her little body.

Within a week of her diagnosis, she was unable to walk due to the pain from the cancer in her legs.

She immediately began intense chemotherapy, which made her incredibly ill and she was hospitalised for weeks at a time.

Since then, Violet has undergone countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, operations, treatments, and procedures at Queensland Children’s Hospital during the last five years, as she relapsed four times.

Violet has recently relapsed for a fifth time and is currently undergoing treatment at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

“When Violet was first diagnosed, we had a feeling of relief as we had tried for so long to find a cause for all her symptoms,” her mum, Colleen recalls.

“For the past five years, our lives have revolved around Violet and her treatment, and it’s had a huge effect on the whole family, especially Violet’s two siblings, Oliver and Piper.”

Giving back

Violet and her family have pledged their support for the BIG W campaign to raise money for children in a similar position.

“We are humbled to be able to help raise funds for Children’s Hospital Foundation through this campaign, as their support has been invaluable during our time at the Queensland Children’s Hospital,” Colleen says.

Her story will be told through wall tokens at participating BIG W stores, which are being sold for $2, with all proceeds going to Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Funds raised will help the foundation fund patient and family support services at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, support medical research and purchase vital medical equipment.

Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Rosie Simpson is grateful for the support of Violet’s family and the BIG W team and customers.

“Everything we do is for kids like Violet, and so it’s such an incredible privilege that her and her family have chosen to raise awareness for the Children’s Hospital Foundation,” she says.

“The BIG W Queensland and Northern NSW team and their customers are working wonders for sick kids and their families when they need it most, and I can’t thank them enough for their unwavering support and dedication.”

BIG W State Manager for Northern Region Tanya Atkinson says they are proud to partner with the Children’s Hospital Foundation again.

“For many years, BIG W Queensland and Northern NSW team and our generous communities have supported the Children’s Hospital Foundation, funding important research projects that make a real difference to the lives of the littlest members of our communities,” she says.

You can purchase a wall token until June 13 from BIG W stores.

To learn more about Children’s Hospital Foundation, visit the website

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