By Jolene Ogle
School is back and there isn’t a child more excited to start the school year than one of Noosa’s bravest young men, Lewis ‘King Lewis’ Sipp.
Tewantin State School student Lewis Sipp became well-known throughout Noosa after he started receiving postcards and messages of support from around the world when he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia.
Lewis was diagnosed on 5 August, 2015, started intense chemotherapy the next day and will be on daily chemotherapy treatment until 9 October, 2018.
Lewis’s mum and dad, Jennifer and John, who own and operate the Cooroy Hot Bread Kitchen, said their boy is inspiring and the whole Noosa community should be proud of him.
Since his diagnosis, Lewis’s aunty Anneka started a Facebook page asking for anyone in the world to send messages of hope and support to Lewis as he battles the disease.
“I originally started his Facebook page so he could get support from everyone as a postcard is only a small amount of money,” she said.
“I thought kids could send him one as I know not everyone can afford to donate money. But it is always the simple sweet thought that counts. I could not believe the amount of support he has received worldwide from complete strangers with big hearts and entire classrooms making him cute colourful creations.”
Anneka said she was grateful for the love and support the family had received from around the world and said the postcards received were stuck all over Lewis’s bedroom and hospital room to fill empty spaces with love.
“It has helped all of us as a family through some real dark periods of his chemo treatment,” she said.
Anneka said all she had ever wanted for Lewis was to see his smile and laugh.
“It is simply a little escape from reality and I am glad I can be that crazy Aunty,” she said. “I am so super proud of Lewis. He is my biggest hero and such an inspiration that I tattooed his handwritten name on my wrist.”
John said it took a good year for the family to get their head around Lewis’s diagnosis and he wasn’t able to say the word leukaemia for a long time.
“As a parent, this is one of the worst things that could happen,” he said. “But Lewis made it so much easier. He’s so resilient, so brave and never complains.
“He really is an inspiration to others kids going through this, dealing with cancer. He’s touched a lot of people. We’re so proud to say he is our son.”
Lewis currently takes oral chemotherapy treatment every day, plus more intense chemo treatments once every month and three months. John said they worried about sending Lewis back to school as the common cold could have severe implications for the 7-year-old, but they couldn’t keep him away from his first day of Year 2.
“He just loves school,” John said. “And his AFL. He plays for the Noosa Tigers and he didn’t miss a single game last season. He’s a little trooper. He’s just getting through it and doing it his way.”
Since putting out the call for postcards, Lewis has received letters and cards from all over the world including places such as Sri Lanka, Alaska and many more.
“Receiving the cards really helped us, especially in the beginning,” John said. “It’s great to know everyone is behind him and that we can share his story. The whole community should be proud of him.”
Anyone who would like to follow Lewis’s journey can like his Facebook page Postcards for Lewis or send a card addressed to Lewis Sipp, PO Box 1388, Noosaville DC, QLD, 4566.
