That is what Kylie Burley was told by doctors after her son Sam was checked into hospital after a game of football in 2017.

A few weeks and some more tests later, the family were told Sam was diagnosed with leukaemia and needed to be quickly taken to the Sydney Children's Hospital.

"It was just like a magnet effect," Mrs Burley said.

"Everyone came around and supported us."

"I'm not too sure what we would have done if Griffith hadn't helped."

Mrs Burley said the Griffith community rallied around Sam, a regular fixture of many sporting sides and in his first year of high school, as well as the rest of the Burley family as they travelled repeatedly to Sydney to seek treatment.

Help in the form of neighbours working on their gardens while the family was in Sydney to helping secure footballers to visit Sam to help keep his spirits high while undergoing treatment were all done by the community to help the Burley family.

READ MORE

Sam's father Craig Burley said Griffith was "very generous" in helping the family in a wide range of ways while Sam went through treatment.

"There were a lot of phone messages just letting you know everyone was thinking of you, that was really good," Mr Burley said.

"I guess that's a lifetime of being in the one town, you sort of know everybody and the connection through all the multiple sports our three boys did."

Two years later, Sam no longer needs chemotherapy and the Burley family is planning to give thanks to the community for all their support by hosting a gathering at the Coro Club on November 16.

Mrs Burley said there was too many people to thank for their support during Sam's treatment, ranging from the staff at Griffith Base Hospital to all of Sam's 'Friend Army' who helped raise funds through events held by schools and sporting sides in the region, and the event is just a small way of thanking everyone for their support.

A sausage sizzle and a power-point is planned to showcase Sam's journey and celebrate his 15^th birthday.

Mrs Burley said the event will give thanks to a number of charities which supported the family during Sam's treatment, with donation buckets available for the Ronald McDonald House, Sydney Children's Hospital and Country Hope.

All of Sam's supporters will be welcomed at the event, which is due to kick off at 4.30pm.

***

While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.