An east Auckland family is asking the community for support and understanding as one of its children faces another painful battle with an aggressive cancer.

Hugo Donaldson, who turned 11 in February, was first diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in January 2024.

His father, Aaron Donaldson, says after an extended period of exhausting treatment, scans revealed Hugo was clear of the cancer heading into the final quarter of last year.

Now, sadly, it has re-emerged, Aaron has told the Times.

“Despite no symptoms, routine scans showed that his cancer has unfortunately returned.

“Devastating is not even close to describing what we felt and feel,” says Aaron, explaining the way Hugo, the family, and community friends are feeling about the new diagnosis.

“Hugo is now back into treatment where he will have even more chemotherapy over a nine-month period this time.

“He will miss school again and suffer all the tough side effects again.”

Aaron says it’s difficult talking about the family’s situation publicly, but they want to be open about what Hugo and they are facing for the second time in two years.

The sole focus is on the treatment, health and well-being of their very courageous and determined 11-year-old.

“Having already done this once we know what a strain it can be, when all you want to do is spend as much time at home with Hugo,” Aaron says.

The family welcomes offerings of support and has set up a Givealittle page for financial donations to cover living expenses, because very important time being with Hugo means a reduction of household earnings from decreased work.

The Beachlands family is also very grateful for the support and consideration it’s already had over the past 16 months.

Of the beginning of last year, Aaron says: “Hugo was having hip pain and a little nausea.

“Before we knew it, we had a diagnosis of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a particularly rare and aggressive cancer.

“Hugo had seven months of intensive multi-modal chemotherapy. They call one of the chemos the red devil.

“He also had to have 33 sessions of radiation. Brutal is the word I keep using, but Hugo’s resilience was eye opening.

“He kept his sense of humour, did everything that was asked of him and maintained his connection with his friends,” Aaron says.

“Hugo responded well to treatment and at the end of treatment his scans were clear.

“Hugo slowly went back to school in term 4. He continued on maintenance chemo. We had a normal family summer and Hugo was back to school full-time and starting to play basketball again.

“He has shown a lot of resilience again and is determined to fight even harder.”

Yale Medicine describes Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) as ‘a rare and aggressive type of soft tissue cancer that primarily affects children and young adults’.

‘It originates in the skeletal muscle cells and is characterised by the presence of alveolar-like structures.

‘ARMS often occurs in the extremities, trunk, and head and neck regions, and can spread to other parts of the body.’

• To support the Donaldson family and make a donation, go to: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/love-and-support-for-the-donaldsons