Our dads name is Bill Fitzgerald. Otherwise known as Billy, Fitzy or Purse. Dad has been fighting Melanoma since 2009. Unfortunately he has now been given a timeframe of just months left. Anyone who knows Dad knows he's the guy in the background, getting the work done without recognition. Never one to ask others for help, but always the first to help out. Known for his love of the land, horses, dogs and the sport of polocrosse Dad has been fighting melanoma since his initial diagnosis in 2009. He had an itchy mole removed from his back after his partner Ali caught him scratching it on a doorway. Doctors were quick off the mark and immediately removed the lymph nodes from his underarms and continued to monitor him. In 2012 Dad had a small part of his left lung removed. In 2013 more tumours appeared and he headed to Westmead Cancer centre to begin treatment on Braf inhibitors. The tumours disappeared and life went back to normal......until 2014, when tumours were discovered in Dad’s brain. This time he had stereotactic radiation. And back to living life normally again. Then 2015 – they reappeared in the brain. This time the best option was brain surgery. Amazingly only 8 months later Dad played in the NSW masters team at the 2016 Polocrosse Nationals. A scan in early 2016 showed what appeared to be more activity in the brain, so surgery again. Thankfully the previous tumours were inactive and there were no new ones. This time Dad and Ali probably had a good 18 months before it all began again. Tumours appeared in lymph nodes in Dad’s chest. This was when he started immunotherapy. In the past 6 years, Dad has had every time and combination of immunotherapy available with various degrees of success. A particularly resistant tumour in his chest was treated with radiation in late 2022. Unfortunately in 2023 he developed colitis as a result of the immunotherapy treatment. Now back on a braf inhibitor Dad is running out of options and time. He has been told his life expectancy is considered months, not years. Dad’s doctor has moved heaven and earth to get him into a clinical trial in Sydney as soon as possible. This is not expected to extend his lifespan but to make sure what time he has left is better quality. Not only will this involve travel and accommodation expenses, Dad and Ali are both self employed, so no work means no income. Between the three of us, Dad now has 5 grandkids who absolutely adore him. We all want to spend some more time with him, making precious memories. He has said he simply wants to ride and enjoy his horses for as long as he is physically able. Please consider helping our Dad out so he can enjoy what time he has left without forcing himself back to work. Many thanks Toby, Caitlin & Emily