TWO Carrum mums have launched a fund-raising campaign for a six-year-old girl with brain cancer so her family can take her to Sydney for a clinical trial which may prolong her life.
Louise Childs and Brooke Baxter, who heard of the family’s plight only months ago, started a ‘gofundme’ campaign with a $10,000 target to allow the youngster to access 12 weeks of specialised treatment in Sydney this month.
In August, the grade one student was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a fast-growing cancerous brain tumour that causes deterioration of basic daily functions such as eating, walking and speaking.
While all available treatment options, including radiation therapy, have been exhausted, the family has a chance to prolong their daughter’s life with a trial that delivers chemotherapy directly into the brain stem.
Ms Childs said she and Ms Baxter are hoping to raise enough money by the end of January to support the family – who wish to remain anonymous for the protection of their daughter – to access the trial, as well as to enjoy the time they have left together with her.
So far, just over $7000 has been donated, but there is still a little way to go for the family to access the treatment by the end of January.
DIPG, or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma, is a tumour that occurs in the brainstem and commonly affects children aged 5–9. It offers no prospect of survival.
The women have also organised a fundraising event at the Carrum Bowls Club on Friday 3 February, 5-9pm. All profits will go towards assisting the family.
The campaign can be found at gofundme.com/carrum-family-needs-help online.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 11 January 2017