On Saturday 21 March, Greenhill Lodge guest David began his journey back home to Broken Hill after spending 15 months in Adelaide undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
David’s treatment, which included chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, meant he was separated from his family, including nine-year-old son Lawson, until he was declared cancer free earlier this year.
He said Greenhill Lodge was a “godsend” that offered him a clean, safe environment to live in during his treatment.
“It is such a wonderful place,” he said.
For everyone [staying at the Lodge], although they’re all going through their own personal challenges, it still seems to be a positive and happy place. In terms of support, it’s quite valuable.
There were still plenty of challenges which came with being so far from home, not least of the distance from Lawson.
Regular video calls back home eased some of the burden and kept David in touch with his son, but it was reconnecting with his love of motorcycles that really helped clear his head.
In the latter part of 2025, David bought himself a small motorbike to take out on therapeutic Sunday rides.
“You can’t and shouldn’t ride a motorbike if your head is full of other things, so therefore you fill your head with getting out there, enjoying the fresh air and the smells and the experience,” he said.
“It does manage to take your mind off other things in case you’ve got any worries. It’s a good distraction.”
The bike provided a good opportunity to connect with Lawson as well. Though it is a few years away, David said he deliberately bought a small “beginner” bike so he could pass it on to Lawson and teach him to ride.
Now that he’s home after a challenging 15 months, David is looking forward to returning to his daily life.
His advice for others facing cancer treatment—and especially long-term treatment—was to find an outlet to clear your mind and to keep pushing through the challenges.
“Sometimes you may not have the energy to do it for yourself. Think about others,” he said.
“Think about the people that rely on you or love you. Sometimes, if you can’t do it for you, do it for the others and don’t give up.”
David will need to return to Adelaide monthly for the foreseeable future for monitoring and further tests to ensure his cancer does not return.
In the meantime, he is eager to go on as many adventures with his son as possible and reconnect with his community.
What does 24 hours at Greenhill Lodge look like? Click below to watch the video.
