Coen is a an energetic 7-year-old boy from the Sutherland Shire of NSW. He loves the Cronulla Sharks, Pokémon, cheese toasties and playing Mario Kart. He also enjoys singing along to music in the car with his mum Amanda, dad James, and little brother Logan.
Coen is very much like your typical 7-year-old boy - with one exception: he's living with a brain tumour.
A childhood brain tumour diagnosis at 15 months
In 2020, as the world went into lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic, Coen's parents noticed he stopped hitting the normal milestones for a 15-month-old.
"Within 4-6 weeks, he was refusing to walk. He wanted to you to pick him up everywhere," Amanda recalls.
Then came the words no parent should ever have to hear: "Your son has a brain tumour".
Living with Posterior Fossa Ependymoma
At just 15 months old, Coen was diagnosed with Posterior Fossa Ependymoma, which is a rare type of brain tumour that is formed in the base of the brain. It controls functions such as balance and movement.
As the tumour grows it can press against other parts of the brain and block fluid from flowing throughout the spinal cord, leading to issues such as nausea, headaches or problems with coordination.
"[Doctors] said, 'the fluid spaces in your son's brain are too big' and he was diagnosed the next day."
After surgery and radiation in 2020, Coen enjoyed nearly three years free from tumours before they returned in 2023. When the tumour returned, Amanda said it felt "like the beginning again."
Further surgery brought another period of stability, but the tumours returned in August 2024. Coen has undergone four brain surgeries, three rounds of radiation and two clinical trials, continuing to face each setback with remarkable courage.
A special day at Sydney FC for Coen
Coen and his family attended Cancer Council's official Sydney FC Match Day on Sunday, 22 March 2026, where he was invited to deliver the official match ball to the team captains and referees.
He was also given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Allianz Stadium and presented with a signed Sydney FC jerseys for both him and his brother.
When asked on how he was feeling before the official match proceedings, he said he was "a bit scared" but bravely walked out to a thunderous cheer from the Allianz Stadium crowd. This is another testament to the bravery shown by Coen in the face of some of the most challenging and confronting experiences anyone can experience, let alone a 7-year-old boy.
In the following months after the match day, the tumours in Coen's brain have grown. The family is now exploring oral chemotherapy in hope of slowing the progression of the disease and creating more special memories together.
A friend of the family has launched a GoFundMe in hopes of giving Coen and his family more time to create more special moments together.
Hope for better brain cancer treatments
While Coen's family continues to explore treatment options, Amanda remains hopeful that investments in research will lead to better outcomes for children diagnosed with brain cancer.
"The funding that Cancer Council provides is amazing. All of the fundraisers that happen in the background fund this phenomenal research to be able to have access to different treatments."
"The funding of that research is not just prevention and intervention. Hopefully kids in the future don't have to do the same thing our kids have had to do."
If you or someone you know has been affected by a cancer diagnosis, support is available. Call Cancer Council's 13 11 20 Information and Support service to speak with a trained health professional, or visit our website for information, support services and resources.
