Abernathy + Grace (The Stoopid Challenge)

An abernathy is something so complex it can't be easily defined. Grace Street from Hobart, Tasmania was born with a blood vessel condition (abernathy malformation) – which if left untreated can have severe, even life threatening consequences.

Abernathy issues can rupture blood vessels, damage organs and kill in several ways, sneaky and slow, or sudden and horrific. The damaged liver is by-passed, so unfiltered blood courses through the veins, poisoning the brain and hurting the heart, lungs and other organs in their path.

Serious complications typically occur around age 4. Grace and her twin brother Isaac turned 4 in October this year.

But this is not a story of despair, its a story of HOPE - because Grace can be fixed. Through thorough research + determination, Graces family have found a superhero – a surgeon who has stated he can (and has) operated on children such as Grace, successfully! Dr 'Superman' Superina works out of the famed Lurie Children's hospital of Chicago. He is considered to be a world leader in structural abnormalities of the liver. But unfortunately, the arduous trip overseas for Graces much needed treatment does not come for FREE. In fact, a figure upwards of $350,000 has been quoted.

Dr Superina recommends treatment immediately to prevent the serious complications outlined above + to avoid an unnecessary liver transplant. As a result of complex circumstances, Grace is currently not eligible to receive government funding to travel overseas. Stoopid right? So we have formed a lighthearted challenge...

What is something stoopid, ridiculous and hilarious that you have wasted your money on? Maybe its beer you've left in the sun, an expensive dress you didn't wear or a giant inflatable unicorn! Whatever it may be, donate the equivalent amount and leave a comment stating what it was - you will go into the draw to WIN a 7 night family holiday (see video.)

Graces life hinges on both your generosity and stoopidity. Please give generously.

Edit: updated September 2019
Thanks to the generosity displayed by donors so far, 66% of the fund-raising target has been met. Whilst Graces family anxiously wait, praying that complications do not/or have not occurred before they make it to America, we encourage you to visit the 'Saving Little Grace' Facebook page, to see how you can become involved (either on a corporate or personal level.) Graces family is in frequent communication with Dr Superina and hope to travel within the upcoming months, subject to reaching the fund-raising target.