Oscar spent 346 days in Starship Children's Hospital during his treatment. Photo / Gavin Bisman
A Pāpāmoa dad is cycling 346km in March - one kilometre for every night his son spent fighting cancer at Starship Children’s Hospital.
Gavin Bisman is using the Kilometres for Kids challenge to support the hospital that became his family’s lifeline.
His son Oscar, who is now 10, spent 346 nights in the hospital battling acute myeloid leukaemia, a serious blood cancer, at 6 years old.
Oscar’s illness began with subtle signs while on a family camping holiday. He would suddenly crash in the afternoons, exhausted in a way that was unlike him.
“It was a small thing, but enough to know something wasn’t right,” Bisman said.
Doctors later confirmed it was his body fighting off the cancer cells.
Oscar was treated at Starship, where he spent parts of two years undergoing intensive treatment.
Gavin said the atmosphere inside the hospital, where children with cancer are treated, left a lasting impression.
“Where we were is pretty full on with kids and their families facing cancer. It was really nice and helpful to have all the staff, from doctors, nurses, cleaners, and everyone being so upbeat and kind,” he said.
“They give so much of themselves to the role that they do.”
The most difficult period came after Oscar relapsed.
During his second bone marrow transplant, Oscar became unwell, and there were times when his condition became serious.
Gavin said this period was the darkest part of Oscar’s journey, and the fear of losing his son still stays with him.
Despite this, the family focused on staying positive and supporting Oscar through each step of his treatment. They leaned on medical staff, relatives, and friends, drawing strength wherever they could so they could remain strong for Oscar.
“You had to let go of everything else and just be there with him in the moment each day, the rollercoaster of laughing, the tears, the screaming, the pain, the small wins each day,” Gavin said.
Today, Oscar is a bright and active 10‑year‑old, with his 11th birthday just around the corner.
He is back to doing the things he loves most: playing sports with friends and soaking up time on the beach.
Gavin said the experience had permanently shifted his perspective on life, sharpening his gratitude for ordinary days and reinforcing the importance of telling his children he loves them every single day.
He said the challenge is a simple way to give back.
“If simply going for a walk, a run, or a ride is a way that we can help them, then that’s an easy thing to do to support them and the children of New Zealand.”
Being more of a surfer than a cyclist, Gavin admits he is not planning on breaking any records, but said it will make for a great challenge - and Oscar has enjoyed more than a few laughs seeing him in Lycra.
Kilometres for Kids is a fitness fundraiser in which participants can choose to walk, run, cycle, swim, or take part in any activity that clocks up kilometres.
They set personal goals, create teams if they wish, and fundraise for the national children’s hospital.
The money raised goes towards world‑class treatment, innovative research, and vital support services for families at Starship.
Starship Foundation chief executive Jo Simon praised Gavin and the growing wave of participants.
“Choosing to challenge yourself physically, whether it’s cycling that extra kilometre, running in the rain, or digging deep when your legs feel tired, is no small feat. However, it’s a poignant reminder of the challenges faced, and the resilience required, by children and families in Starship every day.”
In its debut year, last year, the event saw 6500 participants raise $1.1 million for Starship.
The challenge will officially begin its second year on March 1.
As of late February, sign-ups have surpassed 5150, and the fundraiser total has already climbed to nearly a quarter of last year’s total - all before the event has even started.
Gavin said he and his family are committed to giving back. They raise awareness and funds for child cancer support services through their Fight the Baddies Foundation, where they bring moments of joy to the hospital by delivering handmade bunnies to children fighting cancer.
Gavin is also organising a music event later in the year.
Gavin said his family came close to a different outcome, and along the way, they met families who were not as fortunate.
“My heart breaks for them every day. It’s the worst thing in the world.”
His message to others is simple: be grateful, be kind, and, if you can, help.
Registrations for the event are open at the Kilometres for Kids website.
Zoe Blake is a multimedia journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.