Samuel is ten years old and a brain cancer warrior. He’s needed two brain surgeries, 30 rounds of radiation and four rounds of chemotherapy to be here today.

Like most kids who manage to survive brain cancer, Samuel will probably live with the harmful side effects of his intensive treatment forever.

When Samuel started getting bad headaches and vomiting, his dad Ashley and mum Emma hoped their GP was right – and it was just an ear infection.

But at their local hospital in Rockhampton, doctors gave them news that no parent ever wants to hear: their son had brain cancer.

Hours later, Samuel was airlifted to the Children’s Hospital to start the treatment that would save his life – and harm his future.

Samuel’s tumour was in the part of his brain that controls memory and speech. When he had surgery to remove it, there was a chance he’d be left unable to speak or remember his family.

His mum Emma said: “I was absolutely distraught. It was a huge relief when he woke up and knew I was his Mummy.”

But her brave son still needed months of radiation and chemotherapy, both of which left him exhausted and so sick he could barely eat.

What’s more, having such toxic treatments on his young brain could impact Samuel’s hearing, vision and development as he grows up.

Ashley said, “Many days Samuel really didn’t want to go through treatment. We had to keep explaining it was the only way to stop his cancer from coming back.”

This brave, amazing kid shouldn’t have had to go through so much to be here.

Samuel is now through his nine months of gruelling treatment. He’s a happy kid who loves the mighty Maroons, playing with his brothers and sisters, and Pokemon video games.

But Samuel’s life will never be the same after his brain cancer. His skin burns easily because it’s so thin from the radiation. He can’t play some sports – including his beloved footy – because of the danger to his brain.

Right now, he’s having tutoring to catch up at school. But it remains to be seen how much support Samuel will need with his learning as he gets older.