Hi my name is Maryann and I'm fundraising for my niece and her partner

Harlin Fletcher is a beautiful 10-month-old baby boy who, in just a few short months, has faced more than most of us could imagine facing in a lifetime.

At 6½ months old, Harlin was a happy, outgoing little boy who loved being out and about with his family. He loved his swimming lessons at Oceana Swim School, had been camping with his family since he was just three months old, and even loved long car rides—especially when they meant visiting his dad, Liam, at TAFE.

Then, on 20 April, Harlin and his family’s lives changed completely in the space of just six to eight hours.

Harlin’s mum, Jasmine (Jas), noticed that he had developed a slight wheeze. Because Liam has asthma, Jas decided to take Harlin to the Emergency Department to have him checked, never imagining what they were about to discover.

At the hospital, a nurse noticed that Harlin’s oxygen levels and heart rate weren’t quite right and immediately took him through to resus.

Initially, doctors thought Harlin may have bronchitis. An NG tube was inserted to help relieve gas, and plans were made to transfer him to the paediatric ward. Before that could happen, another doctor examined Harlin and felt his symptoms sounded more like pneumonia, so an X-ray was ordered.

That X-ray changed everything.

It showed that Harlin’s left lung had collapsed because of a large amount of fluid surrounding it. The pressure was pushing his lung and heart across towards the right side of his chest.

Harlin was rushed back to resus, where doctors attempted to insert a chest drain. When they tried to drain the fluid, they discovered it was bloody and immediately stopped because of concerns about what could be causing it.

Harlin was taken for an urgent CT scan and was later transferred to intensive care.

The news no parent expects to hear

In the early hours of 21 April, Jas and Liam were told that their beautiful, happy little boy had a mass on the left side of his upper chest, above his lung near his collarbone, which extended towards two of the bones in his spine.

They met with a paediatric oncologist who confirmed the devastating news:

Their 6½-month-old baby had cancer.

Initially, doctors believed Harlin had neuroblastoma. While the diagnosis was terrifying, his family were given hope when they were told Harlin had approximately a 90% chance of survival.

That same day, Harlin had a chest drain inserted and a PICC line placed in his arm.

On 22 April, at just 6½ months old, Harlin began his first round of chemotherapy, which continued for three days.

After chemotherapy, Harlin underwent a biopsy and an MRI to determine exactly what they were dealing with and whether the cancer had spread elsewhere in his tiny body.

Thankfully, the MRI showed no other tumours.

After an incredibly difficult ten days at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Harlin was finally able to go home with his family while they waited for his biopsy results.

During that waiting period, Jas and Liam continued taking Harlin back and forth to hospital for blood tests, dressing changes and ongoing care.

Then came another devastating blow

On 8 May, Harlin’s parents and grandparents were called into a meeting with his oncologist.

The biopsy results were back.

Harlin did not have neuroblastoma.

Instead, their beautiful baby boy had an extraordinarily rare and aggressive childhood cancer called a malignant rhabdoid tumour—a cancer so rare that Harlin's family were told it affects approximately one in a million children.

In an instant, the hope they had been holding onto was shattered.

Harlin's expected survival rate went from around 90% to just 10–20%.

Their baby was facing a fight for his life before he was even old enough to understand what was happening to him.

Jas and Liam were heartbroken and terrified, but there was no question about what they would do next.

They would do absolutely everything they could to give their little boy the best possible chance.

Leaving Tasmania for Melbourne

Within just three days, Jas and Liam made the enormous decision to leave their home behind.

Jas quit her job so she could care for Harlin full-time, while Liam had to put his heavy diesel mechanical apprenticeship on hold.

On 13 May, Harlin, Jas, Liam and Harlin’s Nan Liz travelled to Melbourne so Harlin could receive the specialised treatment he needed.

Since arriving in Melbourne, Harlin has endured more than any baby should ever have to.

He has had a five-week hospital stay, two further chest drains after fluid repeatedly accumulated around his left lung and caused it to collapse again, intensive chemotherapy, viruses, PET scans, ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans.

Through all of those tests and scans, there has also been some incredibly important news:

Harlin still has only one tumour, and that tumour is shrinking.

Unfortunately, because of its difficult location, doctors are unable to remove it surgically.

Harlin therefore needs radiotherapy five days a week for six weeks, alongside his ongoing cancer treatment.

Through everything, Harlin keeps fighting

Despite everything his little body has been put through, Harlin continues to amaze everyone around him.

Harlin can still eat and continues to eat when he is able, but radiation therapy has made eating painful at times. He now has a feeding tube to provide extra support and make sure he receives the nutrition and fluids his little body needs, particularly on the days when the pain makes him refuse food.

The feeding tube doesn't mean Harlin has stopped eating—it is there to support him through this incredibly difficult stage of treatment and take some of the pressure off him when eating becomes too painful.

And despite everything—chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stays, procedures and countless appointments—Harlin continues to grow and reach his developmental milestones.

Behind all of the scans, chemotherapy, radiation and frightening statistics is still the same beautiful little boy who loves his family, exploring the world and being surrounded by the people who adore him.

Harlin doesn't know how rare his cancer is.

He doesn't know the statistics.

He only knows that Mum, Dad and Nan are beside him.

And they intend to stay there every step of the way.

Helping Harlin's family through the months ahead

Harlin's medical treatment is covered and some of the family's accommodation expenses in Melbourne are funded, but having a seriously ill child creates enormous additional financial pressure.

Their normal lives have effectively been placed on hold so they can focus entirely on giving Harlin the best chance possible.

Jas has had to leave her job to care for Harlin full-time, while Liam's workplace has been incredibly supportive as he has had to put his heavy diesel mechanical apprenticeship on hold.

Meanwhile, the everyday costs of spending months away from home continue.

Donations will help Harlin's family with expenses including:

• Travel between Tasmania and Melbourne

• Fuel and transport

• Groceries and everyday essentials

• Meals during long hospital stays

• Medications and medical expenses that aren't fully covered

• Everyday living costs while away from home

• Unexpected expenses associated with Harlin's treatment

• Establishing stable housing when the family returns to Tasmania

When Harlin is clinically well enough to return home, the family will initially be moving between relatives' homes while he continues the remainder of his chemotherapy and ongoing medical care.

Having some financial security will help Jas and Liam concentrate on the one thing that matters more than anything else:

Harlin.

Please stand beside Harlin

No parent should have to hear that their six-month-old baby has cancer.

And no family should have to worry about how they will afford everyday life while they are fighting to save their child's.

If you are in a position to donate—no matter how small—every contribution will help ease some of the pressure on Harlin's family.

If you aren't able to donate, please consider sharing Harlin's story. A share can reach someone who may be able to help, and that can be just as valuable.

And to everyone who has already supported Harlin, Jas, Liam and their family through a donation, a message, a meal, a phone call, a share or simply by keeping this beautiful little boy in your thoughts—thank you.

Your kindness, generosity, love and support mean more to this family than words could ever express.

Every donation, every share and every message of encouragement allows them to focus on what matters most:

Giving their beautiful little boy the very best chance to beat this incredibly rare cancer and bring him home to Tasmania, where his family and friends are waiting for him.

Thank you for standing beside Harlin, Jasmine and Liam throughout this journey.

Keep fighting, beautiful boy.