In Memory of Harry Buckland
Harry —a remarkable little boy whose intelligence, courage and gentle nature left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Harry was a proud Canberran with an incredible curiosity about the world. He loved Super Mario, patiently completing games from beginning to end, and was a devoted Spider-Man fan.
He was meticulous, compassionate and had an exceptional mathematical mind. At just five years old, Harry already displayed the curiosity and problem-solving skills of a future engineer.
In December 2024, Harry's life changed forever. One morning he suddenly collapsed in pain. His parents initially thought it might be something minor, but trusting their instincts, they took him to the Emergency Department at Canberra Hospital. An ultrasound revealed a large tumour, and Harry was immediately transferred to Sydney Children's Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma.
Over the next 14 months, Harry endured intensive treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, two bone marrow transplants and countless blood and plasma transfusions.
In early February 2026, Harry returned home one final time. He spent ten precious days surrounded by the people who loved him before peacefully passing away on 16 February 2026.
Harry's legacy extends far beyond his own journey. His story reminds us of the extraordinary generosity of the people around us especially those whose selfless donations gave Harry more birthdays, more hugs, more laughter and more memories with the people who loved him.
For Harry, Camp Quality was a little pocket of happiness in
an otherwise incredibly difficult chapter of his life. While treatment was
filled with hospitals, procedures and uncertainty, Camp Quality brought him
fun, laughter and the chance to simply be a kid again.
A huge part of that was Vicki, who held the Camp Quality-sponsored Child Life
Therapy role at the hospital. Vicki became such a special part of Harry’s
treatment journey, using play, creativity and connection to help him cope with
the frightening parts of cancer treatment. She knew how to find the joy in the
hard days — and, most importantly, she helped Harry feel like Harry, rather
than just a child with cancer.
The happiness Camp Quality brought Harry is something our family will always
treasure. Supporting the Camp Quality Super Hero Classic Car Cruise is a
beautiful way to help other children experience those same moments of joy,
connection and childhood during an incredibly difficult time.
