When she was just six months old, her parents Marlyse and Warren noticed that one tibia was more curved than the other.

“When the doctors did an X-ray, they discovered she had neurofibromas type 1,” Marlyse said.

“It’s a condition that affects her nerves so they needed to regularly check her eyesight and hearing. She also needed to do an MRI scan to see if there were any lumps.”

To Marlyse and Warren’s shock, the scan revealed their daughter had bilateral optic glioma, a tumour affecting the nerves that connect the eyes to the brain.

“As parents it’s hard but you have to push through,” Warren said. “You have to be strong for your little one.”

Havana underwent chemotherapy for 72 weeks, completing her treatment in November last year. Less than four months later, the three-year-old was back at The Royal Children’s Hospital to undergo an operation on her tibia.

“The ankle and the tibia were not connected,” Warren said.

“They had to put a rod in and graft from her hip to make it a solid, strong bone.”

Havana returned home this month and hopes to be able to walk again in time to start school.

“There’s no words to describe how much the doctors and nurses have been around to help us navigate through everything,” Warren said.

“We’re very amazed at the healthcare system in Australia, especially at The Royal Children’s Hospital.”

“We’re grateful for what they do for us.”