Just 10 days ago the Ballarat toddler was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital where she faces months of treatment.

The shock diagnosis has turned the lives of her parents Brenton and Tanya, and her siblings Preston, 11, Izayiah, 10 and Adalyn, 6, upside down.

Father's Day was particularly wrenching for Mr Butterworth who drove back to Ballarat with his three older children, leaving mother and daughter at RCH.

"She's crying for her dad all the time, crying for her brothers and sister," Mrs Butterworth said.

"Mackenzie has seen us crying and asked if we are ok. We are just trying to do the best we can," Mr Butterworth said.

It was Mr Butterworth who first realised their daughter was sicker than doctors thought and took her to hospital where he insisted on blood tests.

Mackenzie had been sick on and off for the past few months suffering viruses, colds, ear aches and other seemingly minor illnesses, but when she was playing at home he noticed she had several unexplained bruises.

After googling her symptoms he was positive she had leukaemia and they rushed to Ballarat Base Hospital where a blood test confirmed their worst fears.

"She had been to the doctor and hospital a few times but they never did blood tests or anything ... but parents know their own child better than doctors and I knew," he said.

Mackenzie is receiving four types of chemotherapy treatments - three oral and one that she receives through a port in her chest. She is also receiving steroids, has had bone marrow biopsies and lumbar punctures and other interventions.

She will spend at least the next month in hospital, followed by months living close to the RCH in Melbourne at Ronald McDonald House as her treatment continues. Typical treatment for ALL can continue for up to three years.

Mrs Butterworth has had to take leave from her bakery job to care for her daughter, and Mr Butterworth does not work because he suffers severe anxiety and depression, meaning the family have no income while they care for their youngest child.

"I've been offered for someone to look after the other kids so I can stay at the hospital but they can't lose their sister as well as both parents - one of us has to be here and they need to be at school with friends," Mr Butterworth said.

"But mum is missing out on a lot; their school showcase, soccer awards, netball night."

Mr Butterworth's anxiety has made it hard to be away from home and drive in Melbourne, but being outside is comfort zone is something he is having to come to terms with.

"I hated driving down to Melbourne but since Mackenzie got sick it's not about me," he said.

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Family friend Zoe Douglas, who has known the Butterworths since she was about 12, has set up a Facebook Fundraiser online, and is organising a football-themed fundraiser at the Sporting Globe on October 13. Ms Butterworth's workplace is also supporting the family and fundraising as are the children's school and other organisations.

Ms Douglas knows only too well the harrowing journey her friends are embarking on. Her son Braydon was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was four, and sadly lost his fight for life when he was 5 1/2.

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