Annabel's Leukaemia Recovery and Support

We're asking for your help to support Annabel during her treatment and recovery from leukaemia. Annabel is eight years old.

In early August, Annabel had a sudden onset of symptoms and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) within 24 hours of when the first symptoms began. Fortunately, the actions from doctors at the Austin Hospital assisted in her early diagnosis, and she was transferred to the Royal Children's Hospital where treatment commenced. The treatment involves chemotherapy and various drugs to eradicate leukaemic blood cells from her body, the minimum treatment time for her recovery is 2.5 years and during this time she will regularly be in hospital.

Leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It occurs when the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells (lymphocytes), which are part of the body’s immune system to fight infections. Leukaemia cells do not function properly as white blood cells, and they do not fight infections very well. They can also crowd the bone marrow, meaning less room for healthy blood cells. Last year there were almost 4,000 new cases of Leukaemia across Australia.

It's a difficult time both emotionally and financially so we have put together this fund to help support Annabel with medical, education and support costs through the long road ahead towards recovery. All funds will be used to help with expenses associated with the care and treatment of Annabel as well as her education needs. This means practical help for known and unexpected problems that arise. For example, Annabel isn't able to attend school for at least six months. During this time, we'd like to use some of the funds raised to pay for a tutor to keep Annabel engaged with her studies and on track with her peers.

We hope you can contribute a modest amount and share your donation on social media so that others who are in a position to give may donate.