SADIE Streater is a very brave little girl.
The four-year-old from Gunnedah has endured relentless tests, surgeries, scans, chemotherapy and radiation after she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that forms in the tissues, muscles or bones.
The past few months have been incredibly tough for the Streater family, who have been back and forth between their home town, their second home at John Hunter Hospital's Ronald McDonald House and Sydney's Westmead Hospital for treatment.
"It's to the point now where this is home and Gunnedah is Gunnedah," dad Luke Streater said.
"Your whole life just stops and it's hard because you start thinking negative thoughts, but our oncologist was phenomenal, your life stops but nothing else does, you've still got all the bills and the mortgage and all that.
"This is a home away from home.
"You get here and you have a sanctuary where you're away from all the other stuff."
Father's Day might look a little different this year, but there will be just as much love and a celebration with Mr Streater, his wife Rebecca and other daughter Evie's "extended family", the parents of other sick kids who have become a pillar of support.
Mr Streater said he hoped the family might be able to get back to Gunnedah, but he's looking forward to a barbecue with all the other dads at Ronald McDonald House.
"We're thankful to everyone here at 'Ronny Mac' and the staff at John Hunter," he said.
"There's so many people that help out and it's not just us, they're helping everyone else out.
"Hopefully all the other fathers here have a good Father's Day."
Despite all the challenges Sadie has been through, the bright spark still has a smile on her face, an infectious laugh and an extra special bond with dad.
Asked what her favourite thing about her dad was, she said, "He loves me".
It was around Christmas when Sadie's parents discovered a small growth and took their concerns to the doctor.
Later tests confirmed she had rhabdomyosarcoma, from there it has been an emotional and physical whirlwind for the family.
"I would never in a million years have expected her to handle this," Mr Streater said.
"You see kids on TV get sick and lose a lot of weight and it's pretty horrible.
"She handled the chemo really well, she's a bit anxious but what kid wouldn't be when people are poking you and prodding you, coming in and hooking you up."
Mr Streater said Sadie still "has a long way to go" but said having the support of other families and the volunteers at Ronald McDonald House makes it that little bit easier.
"Every footy night we're down here, the camaraderie, it's an extended family," he said.
"It shows you how resilient kids are."
A GoFundMe has been started to support the family on the road ahead.
Mr Streater said the response, including a charity golf day that was held to raise funds for the family, had been "overwhelming".
"It's easy to give, we have golf days all the time and you're happy to throw money out, but when it's your turn to receive it's a bit hard to take, but you have to accept it," he said.
"You know people are there to help and talk to, and hopefully you're in a position later to pay that back."
To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/help-sadie-streater-fight-against-rhabdomyosarcoma.
