At 12 years of age, Siah was full of energy, laughter, and life. Living on the Sunshine Coast with her family, she’d always be running around at footy practice and chasing after her two younger brothers.
But when she started needing naps after school, her parents knew something was wrong and decided to seek medical attention.
“It was such a big change in her personality,” says her mum, Ellen. Just a few hours later, everything changed when Siah and her family were told that she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer.
“When Mum and Dad came into the room and told me, I just sat there and wasn’t fazed. Then I thought, ‘I’m going to lose my hair,’ and I cried,” Siah says.
It is common for cancer treatment to cause people to lose their hair. Which is why for over 28 years, Australians have come together for the World’s Greatest Shave to shave, cut, or colour their hair in solidarity with people like Siah – who don’t have the luxury of choice.
But even in the darkest of moments, Siah looked towards the light. “I told Mum and Dad that we won’t be doing this with tears. We’re going to do this with a smile on our face because we just have to do it,” says Siah.
This kind of courage and resilience – and the support that immediately surrounds Australians with blood cancer like Siah – is at the heart of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Like many Australian families facing cancer outside metropolitan areas, they were forced to relocate so Siah could access the treatment she needed to survive.
Living on the Sunshine Coast, Siah and her family had to make the 105km trip to Brisbane for treatment and remain there for the foreseeable future.
This left the family wondering how they would be able to find and pay for temporary accommodation close to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, which would have come at a significant cost.
Siah in June 2025 at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Luckily, the Leukaemia Foundation stepped in to provide precious relief and assistance for Siah’s family.
This included accommodation at the Leukaemia Foundation ESA Blood Cancer Centre close to hospital, keeping the family together as Siah began treatment.
Siah would undergo this treatment for the next 11 months, and thanks to the funds raised by the World’s Greatest Shave community, her family remained by her side playing card games, answering questions, and doing everything they could to keep her spirits up.
Worryingly, Siah is one of many children currently living with blood cancer in Australia. Blood cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst children, which is why campaigns like the World’s Greatest Shave – and raising funds for further support and research – are vital.
Siah quickly generated a strong support network around her, providing invaluable support to her and her family.
On top of accommodation support, the Leukaemia Foundation also gave the family emotional support in the form of Sarah – a Leukaemia Foundation Supportive Case Care Manager.
“It gave me encouragement that the family was united,” says Siah’s father, Jimmy.
“Sarah was often emailing or ringing me and making sure we were okay and that all our needs were met. She connected us in with the local school, and we got all that sorted. Sarah also supported us practically as well as emotionally. Once things are alleviated practically, sometimes it just takes the weight off,” says Siah’s mum, Ellen.
They also received support from their community back home on the Sunshine Coast.
“We were completely blown away by the incredible support from our community,” says Ellen. “We never expected it to be as widespread as it was. Our friends checked in regularly, visited when Siah wasn’t in isolation, and offered emotional support.”
Siah’s school also made a huge effort with the kids creating activity books and organising a fundraiser where everyone wore purple – Siah’s favourite colour.
Siah with her two brothers at the Leukaemia Foundation ESA Blood Cancer Centre on Christmas Day 2025.
Siah’s wish comes true
After months of challenging treatment away from home, Siah had one wish. To spend Christmas not in hospital, but with her family at the Leukaemia Foundation ESA Blood Cancer Centre – the closest thing to home that she had.
That dream came true. Siah was well enough to go back there for Christmas and regain some sense of normality with her family – and enjoy being a kid again.
On Christmas Day, the apartment was turned into a wonderland for Siah. Ellen cooked a huge lunch, while her dad and brothers decorated a Christmas tree.
“It was a really fun celebration,” says Ellen. “We had a big feast, just what Siah wanted. We had movies and we built Christmas LEGO. The kids built gingerbread houses. It was really, really nice.”
The Leukaemia Foundation team also organised community activities for everyone at the centre.
“We came together with the other families to celebrate with Christmas photographs, face painting and carols,” Ellen says.
After seven months of treatment, Siah returned home and is now in ongoing remission. She’s counting down the days until her central line is removed so she can return to the beach she loves.
“I’m just in awe of her,” says Ellen. “I don’t think I would have been able to handle it the way that she has. She is my absolute hero.”
Why your shave, cut, or colour matters to children like Siah
Every person who signs up for the World’s Greatest Shave helps support families like Siah’s through treatment, accommodation, and emotional care. By taking part – whether by shaving, cutting or colouring your hair – you become part of a community of trailblazers fuelling better cancer care that reaches those who need it most.
Take on the World's Greatest Shave solo or as part of a team and join thousands of Australians taking action for people facing blood cancer.
