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Skip for kids like Ruby

When Laurie and Craig learned their daughter Ruby had cancer, one of the hardest moments was explaining it to their six-year-old in a way she could understand.

“She asked me, ‘Mummy, is this worse than when I knocked my teeth out?’” Laurie said. “It was such a crazy moment.”

Ruby was later diagnosed with T-cell leukaemia after a rapid decline in health during the COVID-19 lockdown period. What followed was an intense treatment journey involving chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, bone marrow tests, and frequent hospital visits. “It was quite shocking to us.’’ Despite the fear and uncertainty, Ruby responded well to treatment and is now a strong, healthy 11-year-old in remission.

Craig said supporting research felt like an obvious choice after their experience. “Anything we can do to help find a future cure is something we wanted to be part of,” he said. Reflecting on their journey, the family remains deeply aware that not all families have the same outcome, and that ongoing research is vital for future breakthroughs. “If you can find the answer to why it happens, you can stop it happening,” Laurie said.

By taking on 100 Skips a Day in August, you’ll help us find cures for genetic diseases and cancers that can save the lives of kids like Ruby.