Creating her own Destiny

Once given just 10 percent chance of ever being able to walk, three-year old Destiny has stormed through yet another challenge in her young life, walking alongside her peers.

Destiny has an inoperable tumour on her spine which meant she couldn’t crawl like other children her age. She was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at nine-months old, and while her friends at her Kohanga were taking their first steps, Destiny was undergoing surgery, and months of chemotherapy to treat her disease.

The youngster had several false starts as she fought to get better before finding a treatment that worked, but now Destiny has strolled through to the other side.

“The last three MRI scans have shown no growth of the tumour,” say Kent and Pri-Anne, Destiny’s parents who have been right by her side since the beginning, along with the rest of the family. “Destiny is a fighter, and we are quietly hopeful that the good news continues.”

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common types of cancer in children, occurring when a tumour forms in the body’s nerve tissue. Symptoms vary, but are often caused by the tumor pressing on organs or other tissues in the body; in Destiny’s case, against her spine, causing pain and all sorts of problems.

Kent and Pri-Anne say their strong little girl found her own way of doing things. “The first few years of her life, she had everyone else doing everything for her. Once she could do everything herself, she learned to be independent, and now there is no stopping her.”

Destiny’s recovery has been helped in part by generous donors to New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS). Over the course of her treatment, Destiny received several blood and platelet transfusions, all which would not have been possible without Kiwi blood donors.

Kent and Pri-Anne say the overwhelming amount of support both Destiny and the family have received during the past few years has been invaluable, and seeing Destiny walk was a huge milestone for everyone involved.

“It takes a village,” they say. “We are so grateful to everyone who has been lent a hand, especially blood donors. They helped save Destiny’s life.”

To find out more about becoming a donor, click here or call 0800 GIVE BLOOD and to follow Destiny’s progress you can visit her Facebook page.