After a rare cancer diagnosis changed her four-year-old son’s life, a Sunshine Coast mum is calling for better eye tests for children.
A Heartbreaking Find
A Sunshine Coast family is staring into unimaginable adversity after a four-year-old boy was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive eye cancer. Caitlin Farrar took her son Kayden for medical attention soon after Christmas, when she realized something was out of the ordinary in his left eye. In a matter of days, the specialists confirmed the worst, declaring Kayden suffered from retinoblastoma, prompting him to have the left eye ripped out in emergency surgery.
The diagnosis came as a shock to the Farrar family, who had no previous warning of such a serious illness. Unlike in many instances where retinoblastoma is diagnosed through a white circle in photographs, Kayden’s tumour was concealed and could not be identified using this means. His family only observed subtle signs, which they initially attributed to a lazy eye.
A Long Road to Recovery
Kayden, who was to start school this year, now has a different path. He will receive six cycles of chemotherapy in the next five months to kill any remaining cancer cells. During this period, he will be admitted and discharged from the hospital and could require additional surgeries.
Kayden’s enthusiasm for Spider-Man and his sunny disposition have endured despite the challenging journey that lies ahead. His family is committed to being with him every step of the way through his treatment.
Financial Struggle of the Family
Kayden’s treatment schedule has compelled his mother, Caitlin and her mother to take ample time off work. This has imposed a huge economic burden on the family, impacting their capacity to fund daily expenses, bills, and groceries.
To take the weight off, the Farrar family has arranged a community fundraiser. The fundraiser will take place at the Beerwah Pub on March 30 and will include raffles and children’s activities. A family friend has also started a GoFundMe campaign to offer financial assistance during this trying time.
Raising Awareness for Retinoblastoma
Caitlin Farrar hopes to capitalize on her family’s experience to bring retinoblastoma and the value of early diagnosis to light. She thinks more thorough eye examinations for children could catch instances like Kayden’s earlier and perhaps avoid having to resort to radical procedures such as eye removal.
Though their priority is getting Kayden healthy again, the family hopes others will be prompted to take an active interest in their child’s eyes by reading their story.
Published 26-February-2025