A little girl who's never stopped smiling

POSTER GIRL: Kaitaia youngster Te Paea Rameka, one of four Child Cancer Foundation ambassadors, and her mum Arerina.

Eight-year-old Te Paea Rameka has had more health issues over the last year than many people would face in a lifetime. But she's never lost the beaming smile or the charm that has made a huge impression on all who have got to know her.

And now she's one of four children from around the country who have been chosen as National Ambassadors for the Child Cancer Foundation.

March is Child Cancer appeal month, which aims to raise both awareness about the vital support the Child Cancer Foundation offers children, like Te Paea, with cancer and their families across the country, and funds to support that work.

It is her smile that has made Te Paea, who lives in Kaitaia and is now back at Ahipara Primary School after a year away, such a favourite with the nurses, doctors and other health professionals she's seen while undergoing countless rounds of treatment for a medulloblastoma brain tumour that was diagnosed in September 2013.

When she was 7 she began getting headaches at school. Her local doctor thought was a viral bug that was doing the rounds, but her family took her back when she stopped eating and began having difficulty drinking. They were subsequently dispatched to Whangarei Hospital by ambulance, a CT scan revealing that she had the brain tumour.

Everything became "a bit of a blur" for Te Paea and her mum Arerina after that. Te Paea was transferred to Auckland's Starship Hospital, where she underwent immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain.

"I guess I was in shock," Arerina said.

"One minute we were at the doctor's, then the hospital, then into a helicopter and then in another hospital in a different city with about 20 people in the room with us, and then Te Paea was taken into the operating theatre. Everything just happened so fast." The tumour was removed in November 2013, and now Te Paea proudly wears her more than 500 Beads of Courage, given to her by the Child Cancer Foundation in recognition of the 32 radiation treatments, 55 cycles of chemotherapy and the many other procedures she has undergone.

Te Paea loves to show off her beads to friends and family, and tells them what each one represents. The rainbow beads are her favourites, while Arerina especially likes the hand-made beads, but now she has the best bead of all, the 'purple heart' (signifying the end of her treatment).

"The beads have been a great motivator for Te Paea, helping her to get through procedures that she was scared of, because she knew she would get a special bead at the end," Arerina said.

One of the many people who helped the family get through the last 18 months was Janet, their Child Cancer Foundation family support co-ordinator.

"Janet is always there for us, asking if there's anything we need support with, like help with everyday living costs as well as travel costs for the countless trips to and from the hospital," she added.

"She has really helped us keep our heads up, and helped put smiles on our faces. Without the Child Cancer Foundation our journey would have been a lot harder to deal with. It really helped to take away some of the stress." Te Paea finished her last round of chemotherapy in October, and for the next two years will have regular MRI scans at Starship and check-ups at Whangarei Hospital. She is pleased to be back at school and with her friends, and just being an 8-year-old girl who loves music and crafting.

****** The Child Cancer Foundation will hold its annual street appeal on Friday and Saturday March 20-21. Chief executive Robyn Kiddle said more than three New Zealand children were diagnosed with cancer every week, the foundation's role being to reduce the impact of that by offering services that ensured children and their families were supported, informed and well cared for at every stage of their cancer journey.

"At any one time we are assisting around 650 families across the country. Our team connects with families upon diagnosis, and continues to offer support services in hospital, at home and in the community," she said.

"No two families' cancer journeys are the same. We work to build resilience in families and assist them in a practical way through the many logistical, financial, emotional and social challenges they may experience." The foundation receives no direct funding from the government, so relies on the generosity of New Zealanders to continue its work. Text BEAD to 206 to make an instant $3 donation, or go to www.childcancer.org.nz