General News
14 June, 2023
Brave boy’s milestone
Five-year-old completes 68 rounds of chemotherapy treatment
THE Leonardis of Julatten are celebrating the braveness and resilience of their five-year-old boy Sebastian, who has finished his 68th round of chemotherapy at Cairns Hospital.
Sebastian was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was only three-years-old in 2020.
His fight against cancer inspired his mum Crystal to write two books, Boy of Steel and My Brother Sebastian, a guide for parents dealing with a cancer diagnosis in the family.
After a first unsuccessful round of chemo in 2020, a trial at Cairns Hospital with a new chemo would prove to be the right medication for Sebastian, who bravely endured 68 rounds of chemo, finishing by the end of May.
Every Tuesday for a year, Sebastian had to travel from Julatten to the Cairns Paediatric Oncology Unit and make trips to Queensland’s Children Hospital in Brisbane every three months.
“It’s Sebby’s first week of no chemo, and he’s loving it,” Ms Leonardi said.
“A big weight has been lifted off his little shoulders. Now he can go back to just being a kid and not miss out on so much.
“Now we wait and hold our breaths to see how his first scan in July goes.”
Ms Leonardi said she wanted to share Sebastian’s milestone to encourage families undergoing cancer diagnoses or lengthy chemo treatments.
“We’re so proud of Sebby, and this is a great milestone,” she said.
“When we first started, we didn’t think Sebby could make it through 68 rounds of chemo, but he did. We just wanted to let people know that there’s hope out there and share our good news.
“I want people to know that if they’re given 68 weeks of chemo, you can do it. It is achievable.”
Recently Ms Leonardi also partnered with James Cook University to supply her debut book, Boy of Steel, which tells the story of Sebby’s first diagnosis and the impact a cancer diagnosis has on a family, with 10 copies going to JCU libraries every year through the fundraising campaign Book Angels.
For more information and to support Sebastian’s journey, visit www.crystalleonardi.com
