James Slyfield

Six year old James Slyfield was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) when he was two and since then has been quite the young star among the nurses at Starship Hospital. James’ current daily treatment means that his last meal of the day is at 4:30pm and he patiently waits two hours to take medication before going to bed.

James lives with his parents, Alison and Tim, and two year old sister Kate in Auckland. His parents are acutely aware of the difference research makes. Both Tim and Alison have participated in the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race and Alison completed the Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge in 2009.

James has only a few months to go with his treatment. He has recently completed intensive chemotherapy, but remains on a maintenance programme involving oral drugs, 3 monthly visits to operating theatre and monthly shots of chemotherapy. James is amazingly resilient and despite his treatment has just started primary school, a huge milestone for James. James is full of energy and, no doubt, will thrive in school – and enjoy the normality of being the audacious little boy he is!

James loves to be outdoors and ride his bike, and is an eager young golfer.