Rylan Smith, who was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on September 29, 2016, celebrated his 10^th birthday at the weekend.

Rylan’s mother and father Narelle and Matthew Smith said the community of Stawell and Halls Gap have rallied behind Rylan and the Smith family since the diagnosis.

“There has been a GoFundMe page set up on facebook and three weeks ago the Halls Gap cricket team raised more than two thousand dollars,” they said.

“The community support from Stawell and Halls Gap has been amazing with so many people offering to help, organising fundraisers, helping with our other two children and donating money as well as goods and services.” 

The family has been based in Melbourne since September and will remain there permanently for the next five months as Rylan undergoes treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital. 

Mr and Mrs Smith said they were looking at least three years of treatment with long periods of time expected in Melbourne.

“You can never plan for something like this, it has been a massive life changer,” they said.

“In such horrific times we have been touched that so many people have come together to help us.” 

Rylan lost 17 per cent of his body weight and is now experiencing hair loss.

Mr and Mrs Smith said progress was steady and they are handling Rylan’s situation on a day-by-day basis.

“The doctors have told us that his results so far are what they would expect them to be,” they said.

“But it all depends on what his bloods are doing because even a simple cold could be life threatening for him.”

Rylan spent his birthday with family and friends around the house and was thrilled with his new PlayStation four. 

“It was great to see everyone there and his spirits were definitely lifted,” Mr and Mrs Smith said.

“Rylan amazes us with his courage every day coping with things that nobody should ever have to deal with.

“There is a long road ahead of us but we have learned more about his condition which has helped us understand Rylan’s situation a lot more.”