Brave Matilda's cancer battle

Matilda Kersjes keeps smiling and eating strawberries while undergoing treatment at Starship Hospital.

Two weeks ago Matilda Kersjes was running through mud taking part in the Tough Gal Challenge.

Today, she is trying to be strong as she undergoes treatment that will make her hair fall out.

The 7-year-old Havelock Primary School student was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

It's been a "crazy" few weeks as the family comes to grips with the diagnosis, mother Fiona Cooch said.

Matilda is a bubbly, active child who loves playing netball, going to drama classes and hanging out with her three brothers. She had a ball, getting grubby and taking part in the Tough Gal Challenge.

Ms Cooch thought her daughter had picked up a bug from running through the mud when she started vomiting the next week. Matilda didn't make a fuss and returned to school.

A few days later the vomiting returned. Ms Cooch booked a doctor's appointment expecting to be told she'd picked up a virus. But when she noticed a number of bruises and red spots on her daughter she sensed something wasn't right.

Doctor Blaine Stride explained that Matilda's liver and spleen were enlarged and told Ms Cooch to take her straight to hospital. There, they were told Matilda had a tumour on her chest.

Ms Cooch and Matilda were flown up to Auckland's Starship Hospital that night while father Alex Kersjes took care of their three sons, one of whom is Matilda's twin. In Auckland, she was put on a dialysis machine as her kidneys started to fail. She started chemotherapy two days later.

Matilda has been incredibly brave, her mother said. She and Mr Kersjes are taking turns flying up to Auckland to be with her while the other tries to keep life as normal as possible for their three boys.

"She knows she has cancer and is going to lose her hair, it's upsetting but she's incredibly strong," Ms Cooch said.

It has been a year of ups and downs for Matilda. In February she was at the centre of a dramatic beach rescue.

She had been collecting sea shells in ankle-deep water when a rogue wave dragged her 20m out to sea.

Her father ran in to help but couldn't get back through the swells.

David Bateman was driving along the beach on his quad bike when he came across the family. He plunged into the water and managed to help the pair back to shore. Mr Bateman won a regional Pride of New Zealand Award for his efforts last week. Despite the traumatic experience, Matilda had put it behind her and had been back in the water.

Ms Cooch said the family had been overwhelmed with support. Friends had started up a Givealittle page to raise funds for whatever was needed once Matilda was well enough to return home.

Donations would be used to cover costs during this difficult time with any excess being gifted to a charity of her choice. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/matildakersjes/