OLIVIA'S FIGHT

My name is Julia & I am a family member of Allison and Mick’s. (Olivia’s parents).

I have started this fundraising campaign to raise some funds to try and help ease the financial strain for Olivia's family during this very difficult time.

Olivia is just 9 years old and last November she was diagnosed with A.L. Leukaemia.

One night at home, after complaining from sore legs & extreme fatigue for a little while, Olivia collapsed and was rushed to Bundaberg Base Hospital and a few days later was flown to Lady Cilento Children’s hospital, where Allison and Mick’s greatest fears were confirmed. Olivia was diagnosed with leukaemia, and had fractured both her legs. Olivia is the youngest of Allison and Mick’s 5 children.

Olivia has been in Brisbane since that night- along with both her parents who have stayed by her side, they are 5 hours from their family home, and separated at times from their two eldest children, Rachel and Nathan. Their other two children, Brooke and Scott have had to leave their home, their school, their friends, and stay in the hospital accommodation & attend school in the hospital.

Olivia as been in and out of hospital over the past 9 months, having had to stay in Brisbane in a unit with her parents and siblings, provided by the leukaemia foundation since her diagnosis so she can be in close proximity to Lady Cilento for her treatment, unpredictable hospital stays & emergencies from the side effects of treatment. As you could imagine this has has had a massive emotional impact on all of them and a huge financial strain- I don't think anyone is ever prepared for this.

Olivia has had an extensive 8 month chemotherapy treatment and has been brave well beyond her years. She has fought everything she has faced head on, with her determination, cheekiness and wicked sense of humour. She has faced some serious complications but bravely came through them the other side. However on top of fighting this cancer she has had some major complications that have left her unable to walk. Allison and Mick remain hopeful that she will improve and hopefully regain use of her legs and one day walk again, however unfortunately there are no guarantees.

That is why I have started this campaign! I want to help relieve their financial strain, help them be able to purchase the mobility aides Olivia now needs, assist with the costs of ongoing physiotherapy treatment, relocating costs (if they need to relocate) and a huge goal of helping them buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle for their family of 7. At the moment the vehicle they have is not suitable for long trips to and from the hospital for Olivia’s ongoing 2 years of treatment and it also isn’t able to fit the whole family and a wheelchair. - We need to help them upgrade!!!- I just hope we can band together as a family and a community to help this family through this time. They are busy supporting Olivia with her fight against this disease and this would help ease the struggle a little bit.

If you can spare a few dollars to help out Allison and Mick be able to give Olivia what she needs and just help ease their financial strain for them during this horrible time, it would be very appreciated. If you are unable give financially but still want to help, then please share this link with family and friends so we can spread the word, or message me directly if you think you can help in other ways.

Thanks so much

Julia Smith xx