They both attended Chevalier College and both were diagnosed with Leukemia at the ages of 17.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But there is one difference, they were born 23 years apart.
President of the Southern Highlands Cycling Club and community engagement manager for Rare Cancers Australia, Zac Hulm is sharing his positive story of overcoming cancer at such a young age by supporting Oscar Thompson.
The boys share an eerily similar story, but this adversity has formed a new friendship and a mentor to offer guidance to Oscar.
"I believe I can offer Oscar a bit of hope that things are going to be okay," Hulm said.
"The fact he's a Chev boy, in the exact same situation I was in at 17, and let's not let facts ruin a good story, 23 years ago (laughs).
"The good thing for Oscar is that the medicine has been refined along with treatments and attitudes in terms of survival.
"I was very touch and go and Oscar may have a few ups and downs, but the likelihood of him coming out of this and getting through it is very, very high."
Hulm said when he was diagnosed at a young age, it rocked his world but he never gave up hope and he wants to share that knowledge with Oscar.
"When I was diagnosed, I was really frustrated," Hulm said.
"I had a plan of where I was headed and I had to keep my eye on the prize. I saw it as a process. It wasn't about the day to day, it was about the outcome.
"I took a massive risk in having a bone marrow transplant, which I was told there was a 90 per cent chance I wouldn't survive, but the prognosis was good. High risk, long life.
"Now I have the opportunity to sit with Oscar and help him in whatever way he needs."
With Hulm's identical story inspiring him, Oscar can't believe someone else went through what he's currently going through.
"It's a bit weird because we have the exact same story," Oscar said.
"I tell everyone how weird it is, but it's really good to have Zac supporting me. It's been helping me a lot.
"I'm feeling fine at the moment so that's a good thing."
Oscar's mother, Fiona Thompson said she couldn't believe the similarities of the two boys' stories.
"Zac blew me away when he walked in and I was with a social worker at Rare Cancers Australia," Ms Thompson said.
"He asked if I was Oscar's mum and he told me his story. I couldn't believe it. His story gave me so much hope and strength and I couldn't wait for him to meet Oscar.
"I hid Zac from Oscar, because Oscar is a very social person like Zac, and I wanted him to have the same blown away feeling I had when I met Zac and heard his story.
"It would have been different if I had told Oscar and with it being such a small community, it was surprising because I hadn't heard of Zac..
"You have your good days and your bad ones, and I wasn't having a great one that day, and Zac's story made me feel good and good for Oscar.
"When you're 17 and want to go to parties and live your life, it can be really hard and Zac has made us both feel better."
