Community rallies around Bryson Chamings in his cancer fight

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Bryson Chamings is a lovely little man, his mum Kimberly Merchant says.

Every morning the 18-month-old wakes up, his family puts some music on and he dances and laughs, and everyone around him joins in.

“He’s got a cheeky little personality, he’s so clever, and he’s the strongest little boy I’ve ever known,” Ms Merchant says.

“Even through everything he’s still smiling and happy.”

But Bryson has had a rough go of life so far.

Back in January, he and his family went through a gastro infection, but instead of getting better again, his condition just got worse.

After multiple doctor’s appointments and hospital visits, he was eventually given an ultrasound.

It showed a type of cancer, called neuroblastoma, growing near his liver.

Bryson and his parents went straight to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital an hour after receiving the results, and they haven’t been back home to Murray Bridge since.

“We spent a lot of time at the hospital,” Ms Merchant said.

“We don’t get to go out because the risk of him getting sick is so scary.”

Bryson started chemotherapy on the second or third day after they arrived in Adelaide.

The doctors soon found another six tumours growing in different places around his little body.

Even intensive treatment, with immunotherapy infusions lasting up to 10 hours at a time, have so far failed to stop the cancer from spreading.

Bryson was recently put into palliative care, signalling a shift in focus towards his quality of life.

At the time this story was published, Bryson’s family was awaiting the result of a critical test which would determine whether they continue with more experimental treatments, interstate or even overseas.

“If (the cancer) is stable, we’ll go ahead with a high-risk treatment,” Ms Merchant said.

“If not, there’s nothing else they can do to cure him.”

Community urged to rally around Bryson’s family

Throughout the family’s journey, they have drawn strength from the support they have gained from the community of other families and professionals with experience of neuroblastoma.

Now Murraylands locals are being urged to help with Bryson’s fight.

A fundraising event will be held at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge from 12.30pm this Saturday.

Numerous organisations have put up raffle prizes, and there will be a sausage sizzle, cake, ice cream, live music and face painting.

Proceeds will help the family pay for an experimental treatment if that becomes a viable possibility; or will otherwise help cover the cost of travel, meals, accommodation and essential care.

Ms Merchant thanked everyone who had contributed so far, or who planned to come along on the weekend – “we’re extremely grateful and thankful”.

Though the family’s hopes were slender, she hoped to exhaust every possibility for her little man.

“He’s gone through things adults would have trouble facing, but he just faces it, still laughing, still happy,” Ms Merchant said.

“He deserves so much more out of life.

“He deserves a chance to grow up.”

• Attend the fundraiser: Visit Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge from 12.30pm on Saturday for a sausage sizzle, drinks, cake and ice cream, face painting, live music and a raffle.
• Donate to Bryson’s family: www.gofundme.com.
• More information: Search for “Brysons Fight” on Facebook.