Summa King

Support my challenge for kids facing cancer.

Every month in Australia, 90 children are diagnosed with cancer. 

That kid is me!  And not just once, but twice. 

My name is Summa. On the 13th September 2019, I was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymohoblastic Leukaemia. I was 9 years old.  I had to leave my sisters behind in Townsville and go to Brisbane with my mum and dad. 2 years and 3 months of Chemotherapy was the worst, especially since the majority of it was during Covid. I travelled between Townsville and Brisbane where I could do some treatment at my home hospital too. I travelled on empty planes, arrived at empty airports. It was the most isolating time of my life.The saddest time for me was losing my hair. Not once, not twice, but 3 times. My long hair was part of my identity. It took me a very long time to feel  comfortable in the new me. It took me roughly 2.5 years after my treatment ended  on 26/11/2021 to find the new me. Braver, stronger, fiercer, empathetic, compassionate. Ready to not just survive, but live! 

 Fast forward to April 2025 I had my usual 6 month Oncology appointment with my Brisbane Oncology Team. I had been in and out of the Drs for the past 6 month with bone pain, fatigue, nausea and temperatures. Test after test until an MRI on one of my sore knees showed Bone Marrow Abnormality. More and more tests  until finally on the 17th April 2025 there it was. Blasts in my blood. The leukaemia cells took their chance to make a run for it and have succeeded. I have relapsed into the same  Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at 15 years old.... for the 2nd time. Once was enough, 2nd time is just not fair. But Im ready to fight. Yet again, I have left my sisters, amazing friends, my school, my sports, my part time job, my puppies, my comfy bed  and flew by Royal Flying Doctor Service to Brisbane to commence treatment. This first week has been tough. After my first 2 days of Chemotherapy I developed Tumour-Lysis Syndrome and landed in Paeds ICU on dialysis because my kidneys weren't able to keep up with extreme toxins being released into my bloodstream.  That was the scariest thing I've ever been through. 5 days and I'm back in the Oncology Ward. My blood work is not great and so far I've had 3 whole blood transfusions, 7 bags of platelets and 2 bags of plasma. I have only just begun and my relapse is taking it's toll. 

I have been here before, I know what's coming at me. My past experience is power.. but also sometimes drives my fears.   But Ill never give up. 

Redkite has supported my family since day 1 of my first diagnosis in 2019. The Redkite bag we received within days of arrival at hospital provided us with all the things that might be both practical like bathroom products and a notebook and pen to write important info in. The coffee mug my mum and dad have always fought over  and it has creature comforts to make it feel like home. A teddy, a rug and a lunch box to take food and drinks to the long treatment hospital appointments. They provided financial assistace for things like bills and  Coles Food and Fuel Vouchers. I was able to receive an educational grant which helped pay for my laptop so I could continue education from home even when I was too sick to attend in person. Redkite supported our families mental heath with Facetime courses and one on one telephone support.  

Im participating in the Heartbreak to Hope Walk to give back. To show others that they can do this and Redkite are there as part of your Village.   Just like they were, and are here to support me and my family through the biggest fight of my life for the 2nd time around.

Things are now going to look a little different. Personally I am not going to be able to complete any of the walking due to my diagnosis and on going treatment. However, MY VILLAGE are going to do it for me. My school friends from Saint Margaret Mary's College in Townsville are taking over this in solidarity. Along with my immediate family. Mum, dad and 2 sisters. Please reach out if you'd like to join my team, walk and raise funds on my behalf. I see you, I apprecoate you. 

Please help me and my team raise as much as possible to make a difference to families and kids facing cancer. 

KIDS LIKE ME! 

Much Love and Gratitude

Summa xxx