Meet Jack

To see Jack playing with his younger brother Luke, you’d never imagine he has a chronic, life-threatening disease. He does... but he’ll live longer, thanks to the generosity of people like you in recent years.

If Jack had been born 20 years ago, he would be unlikely to live beyond his teens. Thanks to specialist care and good research, life expectancy for children like Jack is now, on average, into their late 30s. A great improvement – but tell that to the parents who fear their little boy may never live to celebrate his 40th birthday.

"As a parent, this disease makes you feel so powerless.

"It’s tempting to want to wrap your children up in cotton wool, but we’re determined to give our little boy every opportunity to make the most of life," explained Jack’s mum, Toni.

That’s why she and her family have volunteered to take part in cystic fibrosis research like the groundbreaking study being conducted by researcher Snehal Anuj in the Royal Children’s Hospital Respiratory Department.

Jack’s future already looks brighter thanks to research funded by generous individuals in the past. You can help the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation work wonders for more sick kids by donating towards research into childhood illnesses that could save the life of many more little Queenslanders. Please give as generously as you can!

Send Jack a Message of Support

The daily treatments for cystic fibrosis can be exhausting - for Jack and his family. Send Jack a message of support. Messages will be reviewed by a moderator before being posted.

19 Comments

Brian Hallmond on Monday 24 October, 2011

Hey Jack! Keep pushing strong tough guy, your an inspiration. Hopefully i'll get to meet you soon, i'll start training tomorrow at the Royal Childrens hospital just so I can hang out with cool kids like you! Keep smiling buddy.
jessica byrd on Friday 14 October, 2011

thinking of you jack in the future, wishing you the very best in love. in my thoughts and prayers. your absoulutly adorable :)
emily lambeski on Monday 29 August, 2011

jack is sooooo cute. we wish him all the best for the future.
Nat on Saturday 6 August, 2011

Sending much love to you jack and your whole family. You are all doing so well and are an inspiration to many. Take care xoxoxoxox
Rosie and Jade on Tuesday 19 April, 2011

Hi Jack, My daughter Jade has attended school and the Wonderfactory at the RCH for the past three months whilst her father has undergone treatment for leukaemia. Seeing amazing children like you has given her hope for a cure for her dad and kept her positive during a frightening time. All the staff are so caring and children like you have become wonderful caring friends and Jade has met the best people she could imagine. Hope you have many good times ahead.
Bailey Apostol on Thursday 10 March, 2011

dear jack, I just come accross you on this website and wanted to let you know that you are such an amazing, insperational, bright kid and i wish you the best future possible, i know you will do great! Your a true legend. Love bailey. :D
Geeta Bhasin on Wednesday 9 March, 2011

Dear Jack, I was looking to be involved with some volunteer work at RCH when I came across your story. You are such an inspiration with that magic smile and happy out look in life. I wish you and your family all the very best and hope that your life improves with all the latest research. Keep smiling young man. Geeta
Dannielle on Sunday 20 February, 2011

Dear Jack, Wishing you all the best. Your story is so inspiring, it's inspired me to write my public speaking assignment on volunteer work. It's also inspired me to volunteer at the children's hospital. As someone who hopes to be a paediatrician, it makes me happy to see that many patients can make it with the help of some amazing people. Good luck Jack! Hope that you and your family continue to do well. Dannielle
Chantel on Thursday 17 February, 2011

Dear Jack it is amazing to read ur story. I cant imagine what it is like to have a life threatining illness. I feel for u and ur family mainly ur mum. hope ur well very soon.
Kiara and Rawinia on Saturday 2 October, 2010

Dear Jack. As we came across you rsotry we both said to each other that we had to sne d a message to him. I think you are the bravest little boy i have ever cam across.. We hope you get better, and stay strong jack.. it would be great to hear back from you.. (: Love from Kiara and Rawinia
Lee-Maria Finlay on Tuesday 28 September, 2010

To Jack and family, Hi there. my name is Lee. I came across your story firstly in my fundraising guide, now on the RCH site. I just wanted to say my wishess are with your family. It is amazing to see such a brave little man and strong family. The families of the kids at the RCH are an inspiration to everyone including myself and my staff. Hope i can raise much more needed funds to help make the hard jouney for sick children and families a little easier.
Maddy Bell on Thursday 15 July, 2010

hey i was school today and thought i would check out your page nana told me all about it your amazing jack. your a beauful cousin and i love seeing your smile,you brighten my days, nobody would ever know that ur sick by the way you act, your a crazy little fella, so full of life and joy, love your cousin maddy
Nikki Cooper on Friday 9 April, 2010

Hi, My son Bryn is 8 years old and has CF and CF related Diabetes. We have had 20 plus admissions to RCH Brisbane over the last 8 years. Bryn has a big sister Rylee who is almost 12. We live on the Sunshine Coast. CF is hard work but the battle is worth it!
Zoe, Brisbane on Thursday 28 January, 2010

Hi Jack and family! it is so great to hear that you are doing well. You are truly inspirational. I wish you all the best for your further treatment and would love to come and hang out with you one day and play some games with you and your little brother. I am 17 years old and would love to do some volunteer work. I hope you are well. My thoughts go out to you and your family. Be brave little one
Lauren on Saturday 28 November, 2009

Hey Jack you are brave little boy. you are still Happy I hope you get better so you get enjoy life Ii make think I donation $4.00 for you at my work my maths teacher was realy sick so she had to going to Mackay to see doctors now she teac back at my school still happy and her hair has grown back I am year in year 11 All my love and heat go to your the sick I will love to hear from you it will cool I know i am doing same thing good Lauren
Hana Hollingsbee on Tuesday 17 November, 2009

Hi my name is Hana and I am a 10 year old school student on the Gold Coast. During the past month I have also been in hospital for a numb leg. I have decided to dedicate my life to sick kids in need I am going to organise for all of my friends to donate some money towards a cheque for the Royal Childrens Hospital. I hope that you stay well and continue to grow into a strong young boy. I bet you have inspired the lives of many. If the donation is a success I will try my best to come and visit you in the Hospital! Hana
Damon, Ascot on Friday 18 September, 2009

Hi Jack, Wishing you all the best. Thinking of you with love.
Dr Richa Dave, Bellbowrie on Friday 18 September, 2009

Dear Jack, I just came across your story on the RCH website, and I so strongly believe that you are such a brave boy, even after being so sick, you still have that spark in your eyes and such a beautiful smile!!! May God bless you!I sincerely hope that your health gets better by the day and you keep growing as a healthy and strong boy. I hope that you and your parents always keep smiling... About me, I am a researcher at University of Queensland and I am studying development of brain tumours....Will love to hear from you Lots of best wishes- Richa