'I thought I was just a tired young mum. When I took a shower, my world turned upside down.'

Before she received the diagnosis that would result in "the hardest year of her life", Aidyn Clements just felt "off and tired". A mother of two little boys, the then-22 year old was also working and studying to be a nurse.

She thought she was just burnt out after "doing too much".

Weeks later, a discovery made in the shower would turn the Tasmanian mum's world on its axis.

"It was just an incidental finding when I was in the shower. I felt this lump protrude under my collarbone," she told Mamamia.

"The actual lump, there was no pain associated with it.

"Everyone tells you to 'trust your instinct', and I just had that instinct something was wrong."

Aidyn's mind went straight to cancer, so she booked in with her doctor the next morning at the urging of her fiance, Matt, her "teenage sweetheart". Aidyn's GP was equally concerned and, upon examining the golf-ball-sized lump, sent her for urgent scans.

Aidyn with her fiance Matt. Image: Supplied.

The next seven weeks were a whirl of tests. Then Aidyn received the news she feared.

She did have cancer, and in fact, it was an incredibly rare and aggressive form called Ewing Sarcoma.

With no sarcoma specialists in the island state, Aidyn was left reeling — on top of battling for her life, she now had to uproot it to access medical care.

"We created a life in Tassie, had built a home when we were just 20, so we had this whole livelihood at home, and I was told I would have to relocate to Melbourne for treatment and most likely be there for 12 months," she recalled.

"While the cancer diagnosis was devastating, the fact [that] we had to relocate just so I could survive, just so I could get treatment, was arguably more devastating."

'Home is where the heart is.'

Unfortunately, Aidyn's experience is not an isolated one. It's estimated that one in three Australians diagnosed with cancer live in regional or remote areas, and are 1.3 times more likely to die from their diagnosis than those in metropolitan areas.

For younger rural patients, these disparities are exacerbated, as the health system lacks youth-specific treatment and support.

Forced to navigate her new world, Aidyn was connected with a social worker who introduced her to the work of the Sony Foundation's 'You Can Stay' program. The initiative provides free and unlimited accommodation for 15-to-29 year old regional cancer patients and their families.

Without this support, Aidyn doesn't know how her family would have gotten by.

For more than 275 nights, Aidyn, Matt and their young boys were provided uncapped accommodation near her treating hospital.

Aidyn underwent 14 rounds of chemo and surgery during her treatment. Image: Supplied.

It gave the family stability through the hardest year of their lives, and provided a safe-haven as Aidyn navigated surgery and 14 rounds of chemotherapy.

"Home is where the heart is, and my heart will always be with Matt and the boys," Aidyn said.

"Each time the boys were with us in Melbourne, that apartment held my heart and it fostered my hope."

What Aidyn's life looks like now.

Aidyn received her life-changing diagnosis in 2022. Now, in 2025, Aidyn is happy to report she is "doing really well" and has begun to tell her story publicly.

Earlier this week, she gave a speech and was able to tell her story, in her words, at the star-studded Sony Foundation's River4Ward 2025, a charity event held in Victoria.

She revealed that she is expecting her third "miracle child" after going into remission in March 2023. Aidyn has since been able to move back to Tasmania, although she still has to travel to Melbourne for regular surveillance scans.

"Today, we're raising our sons in our home in Tasmania. And in September, we will welcome our miracle baby girl into our family. The Sony Foundation have helped us stay afloat in the most trying time of our lives," she said in her speech.

Aidyn giving her speech at Sony Foundation's River4Ward. Image: Supplied.

Aidyn told Mamamia her condition is being closely monitored by her care team, as Ewing has a higher recurrence rate in the first five years post-treatment.

"They've remained stable, so I will continue to have surveillance scans up until the five-year mark," she said, explaining that she has just graduated to scans every six months, instead of every three.

"The rate of re-occurrence in my case is one in five, but I'm travelling really, really well," she said.

Aidyn urges anyone who suspects something is "not quite right" to see a doctor.

"The best case scenario is the doctor is going to tell you, 'You don't have cancer', but if you do end up in a position like mine, I do hold onto the thought that hope is stronger than fear," she said.

"You really don't know what life has in store for you, and you have to take it in your stride as it comes."

If you, or someone you know, requires accomodation support during cancer treatment, you can find more information on 'You Can Stay' here.

Feature image: Supplied.